Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
The odds of locking your keys inside your car are likely to be higher than you think. Luckily, there are multiple options to get back inside without calling roadside assistance.
By taking preventive measures, for example, always double-checking the locks before locking the doors, and keeping spare keys in designated locations to avoid being locked out of your car altogether!
1. Inflatable Wedge
It can be a very frustrating feeling to realize that you have locked your keys in the car. It can turn your day into chaos and cause you to think about how to get home, to work or to your next meeting.
There are several methods to get back into your car if you've lost your keys. Utilizing a coat hanger which you've turned into a hook, or creating wedges from two or three door stops can help you break through the glass and unlock your door. If you don't have access to the materials mentioned above or if your vehicle is equipped with an automatic lock using an air pump wedge could be the best option.
Air pump wedges are a versatile tool used by locksmiths as well as repo experts to help with auto lockouts. They typically come with an inflatable bag that is slipped between the door and the weather stripping of the car to create a gap that can be opened with more extended tools, like rods for unlocking vehicles. These wedges are made to be strong and non-marring. This helps to prevent scratching the paint of your car while providing a sturdy solution for getting into the locked vehicle.
There are numerous DIY air wedge kits on the market. Some come with the option of a hand pump that you can manually inflate. A top-quality kit will create a gap large enough to fit tools and unlock a variety of cars using manual locks.
If you do not have an air wedge or another option, there is always the option of calling for roadside assistance or a locksmith in your area in the event that there is nothing else that works. If this is the only option available you should keep a spare key in a secure location to ensure that you don't lose it when you need it. Whatever method you decide to use Don't be afraid. You can still return to normal by following these simple guidelines.
2. Coat Hanger
Wire coat hangers are a standard household item that can be used to unlock the car. The trick is to bend the hook into a small "V" shape that will hold the lock post inside your door, and then move it to push the lock open. This is the same method police officers employ with a slim jim. However, using a coat hanger takes less finagling.
Attach a slipknot in the middle of a long, paracord or string that is stiff. Use the slipknot to push open the car door towards the top corner. This will give you enough space to place the rod of a long length, such as a clotheshanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't own a blood pressure cuff or a blood pressure cuff, ask your local pharmacy for one. They usually include them in their emergency kits.
Unravel your coat hanger's end and straighten it to ensure that you have a hook and a straight edge on both sides. It may be easier to bend a hook into a V-shape if you have pliers. This will require repeating the process several times before you reach the ideal hook shape. Once you've got the right shape you can slide the hook over the weather stripping on the bottom of the doors. Then, insert it into the door, just above the handle.
Once you have the hanger positioned, move it back and forth to locate a pin or a bar that is responsible for the door lock post. Depending on the vehicle you drive, it may be located just above or below the door's interior handle. If you locate it, tap on it lightly to test whether it moves. You can also try to pull it upwards or backwards in order to deactivate the lock.
You have successfully disconnected your lock if the lock post is jiggling. You can then pull the handle down and you're inside your vehicle! This method works for older vehicles with manual locks. Slide the hook in gently to avoid damaging the window or car frame.
3. Shoestring
There are many tools to gain access to your car locked quickly. You can use a lengthy metal or wood strip that fits into the gap between your car and the door frame, and then press the unlock button from inside. These options aren't always available and may damage the paint of your car. A wedge made of air is another alternative. It looks like an inflatable cuff that you might find at a doctor's office. It can be placed into the gap until it large enough to push the unlock button. These devices aren't expensive and can be used over and repeatedly to unlock your vehicle.
A shoelace is an even simpler tool. To locate the slip knot, you must first unlace your shoe and look around the middle. Then, you can place the shoelace's end between the corner of your car door and the doorframe, and work it down through the crack until it is looped around the knob of the lock. Pull the knob tightly and pull upwards. With locked keys in car how to open , this method can be learned in less than 30 seconds.
If this method doesn't work, you can use a slim Jim to open your vehicle. A slim jim, a thin, flat tool made of metal with hooks on both ends that fit between the weatherproofing rubber of your car's door and window, is the ideal solution. The hooks on a slim jim may be used to open the car's door. However, this method is risky since it requires insertion of the tool through the window and could cause damage to the seal.
It is essential to plan ahead for situations where you might leave keys in your car and need to get into it. There are several ways you can prepare for this situation before it occurs by signing up for an automaker's application or service, subscribing to roadside assistance, or leaving an extra key and fob with family members or friends.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many doctors, nurses and other professionals carry a blood pressure cuff along with them. This is a cheap device that can be used to unlock your car after locking the keys inside.
Slide a deflated wrist into the gap between the frame and the door. Slowly inflate the wrist to create a hole. Don't over-inflate the cuff or you may damage the door. There should be enough room to put in an electrical wire hanger or other long thin object that could reach inside the door.
If you don't have a coat hanger you can try a piece of tubing or wire. This is the same trick used by professionals to unlock their cars, so you're sure it will work!
There are many methods to unlock a locked car, but you must be careful not to cause damage to your vehicle or yourself. Be sure to use the most simple and most secure method first. Your auto insurance might also cover these services! If nothing else works you can contact 911 or use an auto towing service. You will be charged for a small amount, but you'll save time and money in the end. It's a good thing that we've all locked our keys inside our vehicles at some point. It's not a big deal when you know how to get in. If you have an additional key in your home, make sure you know where it is. Ask a friend or relative who you trust to keep an extra key for you in case you don't have one. To ensure your safety, always ensure that you have keys before pressing the lock. These simple tips can keep you from being locked out of your car in the future.