Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
It's more likely than you think you'll keep your keys locked inside your car. Luckily, there are multiple ways to get your keys back without calling assistance on the road.
You can prevent being locked out of your car by taking preventative measures, such as double-checking the doors before locking them and keeping spare keys in designated areas.
1. Inflatable Wedge
The feeling of locking your keys in your car could be one of the worst things to experience. It can throw your entire day into chaos and cause you to think about how you'll get home or work, or to your next meeting.
There are a variety of ways to get back in your car if you've lost your keys. Utilizing a coat hanger that you've made into a hook or constructing wedges from three or two door stops can help you break through the glass to open your door. If you don't have these items or your vehicle has an auto lock and an air pump wedge might be the best option.
Air pump wedges are an incredibly versatile tool used by locksmiths as well as repo experts for auto lockouts. These tools typically feature an inflatable bag that is slipped between the car door and the weather stripping to form an opening that is accessible by longer-reach tools, like car-unlocking rods. These wedges are made to be strong and non-marring, which aids to avoid scratching the paint of your car while providing a sturdy solution to gain access to the locked vehicle.
For those who are DIY-ers there are numerous air wedge kits for sale on the market, including a few that come with a handy hand pump to allow manual inflation. A high-quality kit can create a gap large enough to allow tools to be inserted and open many vehicles with manual locks.
If nothing else works, you can always call roadside assistance or a local locksmith, if you don't have a spare key. If this is your only option, ensure that you keep a spare key in a secure place so that you don't need to worry about losing it when the time comes to make use of it. Regardless of the method you decide to use, be patient and remember that it's okay to be scared when you lock your keys in your car; your life can still go with the same ease when you follow these easy guidelines.
2. Coat Hanger
A wire coat hanger is a common item found in the majority of households. It is a simple way to open a locked car. The trick is to bend the hook into a tiny "V" shape that will grasp the lock post within your door, and then move it to open the lock. open. The same method is employed by police officers using a slim Jim, but coat hangers require less effort.
Make sure you have a long length of stiff string or paracord and tie a slipknot in the middle. Make use of the slipknot to pull open the car door at the top corner. This gives you enough space to place a rod, like hanger for clothes or a blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood-pressure cuff you can ask your local drugstore for one. They usually include them in their emergency kits.
Unravel the end of your coat hanger and straighten it so that you have a hook on one side and a straight side on the other. If you have pliers, it could be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape. You'll need to do this several times to get the right hook shape. Once you have the right shape, slide it behind the weather stripping on the bottom of the door. Install it on the door, above the handle.
Once the hanger is in place then move it around to find the pin or bar controlling the door lock post. Depending on your vehicle you drive, it could be above or below the door handle on your interior. Once you find it, tap it lightly to check whether it moves. You can also pull it upwards or backwards to release the lock.
If the lock's post shakes, you have successfully disengaged the lock. Then, pull the handle down and you're in your vehicle! This method works on older vehicles that have manual locks. Use the hook gently to avoid damaging the window or frame of the car.
3. Shoestring
There are many tools available to get into your car that is locked. You can use a long rod such as a metal or wooden strip that can fit through the gap between the door frame and the car to press down the unlock button located on the inside. However, these options are not always easy to locate and may scratch the paint of your vehicle. Another alternative is an air wedge. It's shaped like an inflatable cuff that you might find at the doctor's office. It can be placed into the gap until it large enough to push the unlock button. These devices are not expensive and can be used again and repeatedly to unlock your car.
An even more simple tool to utilize is a shoelace. To locate the slip knot, you must first unlace a shoe and look around the middle. Set one end of the shoelace between the doorframe and the corner of your car. Work it through the crack to tie around the knob of your lock. Pull tight and upwards. This technique can be learned through practice in less than 30 seconds.
If this method does not work, you can use a slim Jim to unlock your vehicle. A slim jim is a small, flat metal tool with hooks on both ends that sits between the weatherproofing rubber on your car's door and window, is the perfect solution. The user can move the hooks of a slim jim to open a car door, but this method is a bit risky as it requires the device to be inserted through the glass of the window and could cause damage to the door's seal.
It is essential to prepare for scenarios in which you'll need to leave your keys in a car and need to access it. There are many ways you can prepare for this problem prior to it happening by signing up for an automaker's app or service, registering for roadside assistance, or even leaving an extra key and fob with friends or family members.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many nurses, doctors and other staff members carry a blood pressure cuff along with them. It's a simple device that can be used to unlock your car after you've locked the keys inside.
Slide car key lockout service deflated cuff into the gap where the door meets the frame. Slowly inflate it to make an opening. Don't over-inflate it or you could damage the door. You should have enough room to put in a wire hanger or another long thin object that could be able to reach inside the door.
If you don't own a coat hanger or wire, you could make use of a tubing piece. This is the same trick that professionals use to unlock their cars and make their cars more secure, so you can be sure it will work!
There are a variety of methods to unlock a locked car however, you must be careful not to cause damage to your vehicle or yourself. Always use the easiest and least damaging methods first. And don't forget that your auto insurance might cover services to assist you in this kind of scenario! If all else fails contact 911 or a towing company. There will be an amount that is small, but you will save time and money in the end. It's good to know that we have all locked our keys in our vehicles at some point. It's a common mistake and usually will not ruin your day so long as you're aware of the right tips to get your keys back! If you have an extra key in your home, ensure you are aware of where it is. Ask a friend or relative who you trust to store an extra key for you if you don't have one. Also, make a habit of checking your keys before you press the lock button and never lock your car using the remote, just to ensure your security. These simple tips can keep you from being locked out of your car in the future.