a lock , suitable for use in a car door , has a rotary latch which cooperates with a locking wedge , or the like , and can be locked by a locking pawl in a locking position . the pawl is actuatable by a setting device for bringing the rotary latch at least into an open position . in order to provide a lock which is of improved efficiency and is both compact in construction and operates reliably , transmission elements are arranged between the pawl and the setting device for transmitting movement of the setting device , in stepped - down fashion , to the pawl .