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 having to call roadside assistance.
You can prevent being locked out of your vehicle by taking preventative measures, such as double-checking the doors prior to locking them and storing spare keys in designated places.
1. Inflatable Wedge
The feeling of locking your keys in the car be one of the worst experiences you'll ever have. 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 event.
There are several options to gain access back to your vehicle after locking your keys in it. Utilizing a coat hanger made of wire that you've made into a hook or making an elongated wedge from three or two door stops can help break through the glass and open your door. If you don't have access to these materials, or if your vehicle is equipped with an automatic lock or a key lock, an air pump wedge might be the best solution.
An air pump wedge is a versatile tool that's often used by professional locksmiths and repo professionals to provide auto lockout services. These tools usually feature an inflatable bag that slips between the door and weather stripping of the car to create gaps that can be opened with longer-reaching tools, such as rods for unlocking vehicles. These wedges are also designed to be heavy-duty and non-marring. This helps to avoid chipping the car's paint while also providing a solid solution for getting into the locked vehicle.
For those who are DIY-ers, there are many air wedge kits available for purchase on the market, including some that include a hand pump that can be used to manually inflate. A top-quality kit will be able to create an opening between the door and the jamb which is large enough to accommodate access tools and unlock most vehicles with manual locks.
If nothing else works then you can always contact roadside assistance or a local lock-smith in the event that you don't have a spare lock. If this is the only option, ensure that you keep an extra key in a safe place so that you don't need to worry about losing it when the time comes to use it. No matter what method you decide to use Don't be afraid. You can still get your life back to normal by following these easy guidelines.
2. Coat Hanger
Wire coat hangers are a standard household item that can be used to unlock a car. The trick is to bend your hook into a small V shape so that it can grab the lock post on your door. Then, you can move the hook to unlock the lock. The same technique is used by police officers with a slim Jim, but a coathanger requires less finagling.
Choose a long piece of paracord or string with a stiff end and tie a slipknot through the middle. Use the slipknot to pry open the car door in the upper corner. This gives you enough space to place a rod like hanger for clothes or a blood pressure cuff. If you don't have an artery pressure cuff, look at your local discount or drugstore; they often include one in their emergency kits.
Unravel your coat hanger's end and straighten it so that you have a hook as well as an edge that is straight on both sides. If you have pliers, it could be easier to bend the hook into a V shape. This will require repeating the process several times before you achieve the perfect hook shape. Once car lockouts 've gotten the correct shape you can slide the hook over the weather stripping on the bottom of the doors. Install it on the door above the handle.
Once you have the hanger set, move it back and forth to locate a pin or a bar that controls the door lock post. Depending on the vehicle you drive it could be above or below the door's interior handle. Tap it lightly to see if it is able to move it. Try pulling it up or backward to disengage the lock.
If the lock post moves then you have successfully disconnected the lock. Then, you can pull the handle back and you're back in your vehicle! This method works on older vehicles with manual locks. Just be careful not to damage your window or the car frame by slipping the hook too hard.
3. Shoestring
There are many tools to gain access to your car locked quickly. You can use a long rod like a metal or wooden strip that can fit through the gap between the door frame and the car, and then press down the unlock button inside. However, these options are not always readily available and can scratch the paint of your vehicle. A wedge made of air is another alternative. It's similar to the cuff that you use in a doctor's office and can be pumped into to create a gap enough to press the unlock button inside. These devices are inexpensive and can be used again and repeatedly to unlock your vehicle.
A shoelace is a simpler tool. First, unlace the shoes and then look around the middle to find where the slip knot situated. Place one end of your shoelace between the corner and the doorframe of your vehicle and then work it through the crack to loop around the lock's knob. Make sure you pull the lock tight and up. After a few times, this technique can be learned in less than 30 seconds.
If this method doesn't work, you might try using the slim jim to open your car. A slim jam is a flat thin metal tool with hooks on both ends and fits into the space between the weatherproofing rubber of your car's door and window. The user can move the hooks of a slim jim in order to open the door of a car, but this technique is a bit risky as it requires inserting the device through the window's glass and could cause damage to the door's seal.
It is essential to be prepared for the eventuality where you might leave keys in your car and need to get into it. There are several ways you can prepare yourself for this scenario before it occurs like signing to an automaker's app or service, registering for roadside assistance, or leaving a spare key and fob with your family or friends.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many doctors, nurses and others have a blood pressure cuff that they carry in their pockets. Even if not, this is a low-cost device that can to save the day if you lock keys in car.
Slide a deflated cuff into the gap where the door joins the frame and slowly inflate it to create an opening. Be careful not to over-inflate the air cuff, or you could cause damage to the door. You should now have enough room to insert a wire coat hanger or other long, skinny object that is able to reach the unlock button within the door.
If you don't have a coat hanger you can try a piece of tubing or wire. This is a trick that professionals employ to open their automobiles, so it's bound to work!
There are many ways to unlock a locked car however, you must be cautious not to cause damage to your vehicle or yourself. Always try the easiest and least damaging techniques first. Don't forget that your auto insurance may cover services to assist you in this type of situation! If all else fails, you can call 911 or an auto towing service. They'll charge a modest fee, but you'll save time and money in the end. The positive side is that a lot of us have locked our keys in our cars at some point or another. It's not an issue when you know how to enter. If you have an additional key in your home, make sure you know where it is. If you don't then ask a trusted friend or relative to keep an extra key for you. To ensure your security, ensure that you have keys before you press the lock. These tips will keep you from being locked out of your car in the future.