Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
It's more likely than you think that you'll lock your keys inside your car. There are a variety of ways to get inside your car without calling roadside assistance.
You can prevent being locked out of your car by taking preventative measures, such as double-checking the doors prior to locking them and storing spare keys in designated locations.
1. Inflatable Wedge
The feeling of locking your keys in your car could be among the worst experiences you'll ever have. It could send your entire day into a tizzy and leave you wondering how you'll ever get back home or to work or to your next appointment.
There are a number of methods to gain access back to your vehicle after locking your keys in the car. You can break the glass by using a wire coathanger that you have shaped into a hook or creating a wedge using three or two door stoppers. If you don't have access to those materials or if your vehicle is equipped with an automatic lock using an air pump wedge could be the ideal solution.
Air pump wedges are an incredibly versatile tool that locksmiths and repo experts to help with auto lockouts. These tools typically come with an inflatable bag component that slides between the car's door and the weather stripping to form an opening that can be reached via longer-reach tools, like car-unlocking rods. These wedges are also designed to be heavy-duty and non-marring, which helps to prevent scratching the paint of your car while also providing a solid solution to gain access to the vehicle that is locked.
For DIYers There are a variety of air wedge kits available for purchase on the market, including a few that come with a handy hand pump for manual inflation. A high-quality kit will be able form a gap large enough to insert tools and unlock many cars with manual locks.
If all else fails then you can always contact roadside assistance or a local lock-smith If you do not have a spare key. If this is the only option available make sure you keep a spare in a secure location to ensure that you don't lose it when you require it. No matter what method you choose, remain patient and remember it's fine to panic when you lock your keys in your car. your life will go in the normal way by following these simple guidelines.
2. Coat Hanger
A coat hanger made of wire is a common item in the majority of households. It can be easily used to unlock a locked vehicle. The trick is to bend the hook into a small "V" shape that can hold the lock post inside your door and manipulate it to push the lock open. Similar techniques are used by police officers who have a slim Jim, however a coathanger requires less finagling.
Make sure you have a long length of paracord or string with a stiff end and tie a slipknot through the middle. Use the slipknot on the top corner of the car door to pry it open. This will allow you enough room to put in a long rod, like a clothes hanger or a blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood pressure cuff you can ask your local drugstore for one. They often include them in their emergency kits.
Unravel the top of your coat hanger, then straighten it out so that you have a hook on one end and a straight one on the other. If you have pliers, it might be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape. You'll need to do this several times to achieve the ideal hook shape. Once you have the perfect shape, slide it behind the weather stripping on the bottom of the door. Then, slide it into the door just above the handle.
Once the hanger is set and it is in place, move it around until you find the pin or bar that controls the door lock post. Depending on the type of vehicle, you may find it either above or below your interior door handle. Once you find it, tap it lightly to see if it moves. Then, try pulling it upwards or backwards to detach the lock.
If the lock post jiggles, you have successfully disengaged the lock. Then, pull the handle down and you're inside your vehicle! This method also works on older vehicles that have manual locks. Just be careful not to damage your window or car frame by slipping the hook in too hard.
3. Shoestring
There are a variety of tools that can be used to quickly unlock your vehicle. You can use a lengthy wood or metal strip that fits into the gap between the car and the door frame to press the unlock button from inside. However these options aren't always easy to find and can scratch the paint on your vehicle. Another option is an air wedge. It looks like the cuff that you utilize at a doctor's appointment and can be pumped in to create a gap large enough to push down the unlock button inside the. These devices are fairly inexpensive and can be used multiple times in order to unlock your car.
A shoelace is a simpler tool. To find the slip knot, first unlace a shoe and examine the middle. Put one end of your shoelace between the corner and the doorframe of your car. Work through the crack to wrap around the knob of the lock. Pull service to unlock car and upwards. With practice, this method can be mastered in less than 30 seconds.
If this method doesn't work If this doesn't work, you might try using slim jims to open your car. A slim jim is a flat thin metal tool with hooks on both ends and fits into the space between the weatherproofing rubber on your car's door and window. The hooks on a slim jim could be used to open the door of a car. However, this method is risky because it requires inserting the tool through the window, and could cause damage to the seal.
It is important to prepare for scenarios where you might leave your keys in a car and have to access it. You can prepare yourself for this eventuality by signing up to the automaker's service or app and registering for roadside assistance, or leaving an extra fob and key with family or friends.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many doctors, nurses, and others carry a blood-pressure cuff with them. It's a simple device that can be used to open your car after locking the keys inside.
Insert a cuff that has been deflated into the space where the door meets the frame. Slowly inflate it to create an opening. Do not over-inflate the cuff or you could damage the door. You should have enough room to insert a wire hanger or a long thin object that could reach inside the door.
If you don't own a coat hanger or wire, you can make use of a piece of tubing. This is a trick professionals use to open cars, so it should work!
There are many tricks to gain entry into a locked vehicle, but you have be cautious not to do anything that might harm your vehicle or yourself. Always use the easiest and least damaging method first - and don't forget that your insurance may cover services to help you with this kind of scenario! If nothing else works call 911 or contact a towing company. They'll charge a modest fee, but you'll be saving time and money in the long run. It's a good thing we've all locked our keys in our automobiles at some moment in time. It's not an issue when you know how to get in. If you have an extra key at your home, make sure you are aware of where it is. If not then ask a trusted friend or relative to keep an extra key for you. To be safe, always ensure that you have keys before pressing the lock. These tips will prevent you from being locked out of your vehicle in the future.