Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
It's more likely than you think you will lock your keys inside your car. Luckily, there are multiple ways to get your keys back without calling roadside assistance.
By taking preventive measures, for example, always double-checking before locking the doors and keeping spare keys in designated places you can ensure that you don't get locked out of your vehicle completely!
1. Inflatable Wedge
It can be a very uncomfortable feeling to realize you've locked your keys inside your car. It can throw your day into chaos and cause you to think about how you'll get home or work, or to your next appointment.
There are a number of methods for getting back into your vehicle when you've locked your keys inside the vehicle. You could break the glass using a coathanger wire which you've shaped into a 'hook' or making a wedge from three or two door stoppers. If you don't have access to those materials or if your vehicle has an automatic lock using an air pump wedge could be the best solution.
An air pump wedge is a multi-purpose tool used by professional locksmiths and repo professionals for auto lockout services. These tools typically have an inflatable bag that is slipped between the door and the weather stripping of the car to create gaps that can be opened with longer-reaching tools, like car unlocking rods. These wedges also feature the highest quality design and are non-marring, which helps to prevent chipping of the paint on a car.
For DIYers there are numerous air wedge kits for sale on the market, including some that come with a handy hand pump to allow manual inflation. A good kit will be able form a gap large enough to allow tools to be inserted and unlock a variety of cars using manual locks.
If all else fails it is possible to call roadside assistance, or a local lock-smith in the event that you do not have a spare key. If this is the only option you have, keep a spare in a safe location to ensure you don't lose it if you need it. No matter what method you choose Don't be afraid. You can return to normal by following these guidelines.
2. Coat Hanger
Wire coat hangers are a common household item that can be used to open a car. The trick is to bend the hook into a small V shape so that it can grab the lock post inside your door. You then manipulate the hook to pop the lock. The same technique is used by police officers who have the slim Jim, but a coathanger requires less finagling.
Attach a slipknot in the middle of a long, paracord or string that is stiff. Use the slipknot to pry open the door of your car in the upper corner. This will give you enough space to insert a long rod like a clothes hanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood pressure cuff or a blood pressure cuff, ask your local pharmacy for one. They often include them in their emergency kits.
Unravel the end of your coat hanger and straighten it out so that you have a hook on one end and a straight one on the other. It might be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape if you have pliers. You will need to do this several times to achieve the ideal hook shape. Once you've got the right shape then slide the hook through the weather stripping at the bottom of the doors. Then insert it into the door just above the handle.
Once the hanger is in place and it is in place, move it around until you find the pin or bar controlling the door lock post. Depending on the type of vehicle you have, it may be located above or below the door's interior handle. Tap lightly on it to see if you can move it. You can also try to move it upwards or backwards to disengage the lock.
You have successfully removed your lock if the post jiggles. You can then pull the handle down and you're in your car! This method is suitable for older vehicles with manual locks. Be unlock car service not to scratch your window or car frame by sliding the hook too far.
3. Shoestring
There are many tools that can be used to unlock your vehicle. You can make use of a long metal or wood strip that can fit through the gap between the car and the door frame to press the unlock button from inside. These options aren't always available and could 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 into to create a gap enough to push the unlock button inside. These devices are quite affordable and can be used over and over, if needed, to unlock your car.
A simpler tool to use is a shoelace. To find the slip knot, first unlace your shoe and examine the middle. Then, put the shoelace's end between the corner of your car door and the doorframe and move it through the crack until it is looped around the knob of the lock. Make sure you pull the lock tightly and up. After a few times, this technique can be mastered in less than 30 seconds.
If this method does not work, you can try using a slim Jim to unlock your vehicle. A slim jim, a small, flat metal tool with hooks at both ends that fits between the weatherproofing rubber of your car door and window, is the perfect solution. A person can maneuver the hooks of a slim jim in order to open a car door, but this technique is a bit risky since it requires insertion of the device through the glass of the window and could cause damage to the seal of the door.
It is essential to plan ahead for situations in which you'll need to leave keys in your car and have to access it. There are many ways you can prepare for this problem before it occurs like signing up for an automaker's app or service, signing up for roadside assistance, or even leaving keys and fobs with your family or friends.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals carry a blood pressure cuff in their bag. This is a small device that can be used to unlock your car after locking the keys inside.
Place a deflated cuff in the gap where the door meets the frame and slowly inflate it until it creates an opening. Be careful not to over-inflate or you risk damaging the door. You should have enough room to insert a wire hanger or a long, thin object that can reach inside the door.
If you don't have a coat hanger or wire, you can use a piece of tubing. This is the same trick used by professionals to open their vehicles and make their cars more secure, so you're sure it will work!
There are many methods to unlock a locked car however, you must be careful to not cause damage to your vehicle or yourself. Always try the easiest and least damaging methods first. Don't forget that your car insurance may provide services to assist you in this kind of scenario! If all else fails you can contact 911 or an auto towing service. They'll charge a modest fee, but you'll be saving time and money in the end. The good news is that most of us have locked our keys in our cars at one point or another. It's not a huge issue if you know how to enter. If you have an extra key at your home, ensure you are aware of where it is. Request a family member or friend who you trust to keep keys for you in case you don't have one. To ensure your security, ensure that you have keys before pressing the lock. These simple tips will keep you from getting locked out of your car in the future!