Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
The chances of locking your keys in your car are probably much greater than you imagine. There are a variety of ways to gain entry into your car without calling roadside assistance.
You can avoid being locked out of your vehicle by taking preventative measures like checking the doors twice before locking them and storing spare keys in designated locations.
1. Inflatable Wedge
The feeling of having locked your keys in the car be one of the most unpleasant things to experience. It can throw your entire day into a tizzy and leave you wondering if you'll get home or to work, or to your next appointment.
There are a variety of methods to get back into your car after losing your keys. Utilizing a coat hanger made of wire which you've turned into a hook or constructing wedges from two or three door stops can help you break through the glass and open your door. If you don't have access to these materials, or if your car has an automatic lock, an air pump wedge might be the ideal solution.
Air pump wedges are a nifty tool used by locksmiths and 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 an opening that can be accessed by longer-reaching tools such as rods for unlocking vehicles. These wedges also feature a heavy-duty design that is non-marring, which helps to prevent chipping of the paint on the exterior of a car.
There are numerous DIY air wedge kits available on the market. Some include a hand pump to manually inflate. A good kit will be able form a gap large enough to allow tools to be inserted 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 you should keep a spare key in a safe place so you won't lose it if you need it. Whatever method you choose, be patient and remember that it's ok to panic when you lock your keys in your car; your life will continue with the same ease if you follow these simple tips.
2. Coat Hanger
Wire coat hangers are a standard household item that can be used to open the car. The trick is to bend your hook into a small V so that it can grab the lock post in your door. Then, you manipulate the hook to pop the lock. The same technique is used by police officers with a slim Jim, but coat hangers require less effort.
Tie a slipknot at the middle of a long piece paracord or string that is stiff. Use the slipknot on the top of the car door to open it open. This will allow you enough room to insert the rod of a long length for example, a clotheshanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't own 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 you have a hook on one side and a straight side on the other. It may be easier to bend hooks into a V-shape, especially if you have pliers. You'll need to repeat this process a few 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. Insert it into the door, above the handle.
Once you have the hanger positioned, move it forward and back to find a pin or bar that is responsible for the door lock post. Depending on the type of vehicle you have, it may be located just above or below the door's interior handle. Once you find it, tap it lightly to check if it moves. You can also pull it up or backwards to disengage the lock.
If the lock post jiggles then you have successfully disconnected the lock. You can then pull the handle down and you're back in your car! This method is also applicable to older vehicles that have manual locks. Just be careful not to scratch your window or car frame by slipping the hook too far.
3. Shoestring
There are a number of tools to gain access to your car that is locked. You can use a long rod like wood or metal strips that can be inserted into the gap between the door frame and the car, and then press down the unlock button inside. These options aren't always available and may damage the paint of your car. Another alternative is to use an air wedge. It looks like the inflatable cuff you might use at the doctor's office and can be pumped in to create a gap enough to push down the unlock button inside. These devices are inexpensive and can be used over and repeatedly to unlock your car.
A shoelace is a more simple tool. First, take off a pair of shoes and then look in the middle to determine where the slip knot is situated. Place one end of your shoelace between the corner and the doorframe of your car and work it through the crack to wrap around the knob of the lock. Make sure you pull the lock hard and upwards. With practice, this method can be learned in less than 30 seconds.
If this method does not work, you can try using a slim Jim to open your vehicle. A slim jim, which is a thin, flat metal tool with hooks on both ends that fits between the weatherproofing rubber on your car's door and window, is the perfect solution. One can use the hooks of a slim jim to open a car door, but this method is somewhat risky since it requires inserting the device through the window glass and could damage the seal of the door.
It is crucial to plan ahead for situations where you might leave keys in your vehicle and have to access it. There are a number of ways you can prepare for this situation before it occurs like signing to an automaker's app or service, registering for roadside assistance, or even leaving an extra key and fob with family members or friends.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many nurses, doctors, and others carry a blood-pressure cuff with them. Even if you don't, this is a cheap device that can save the day when you lock your keys in the car.
Place a deflated hand into the gap between the door and the frame. Slowly increase the inflation of the wrist to make a hole. Do not over-inflate the cuff, or you could damage the door. There should be enough room to place a wire hanger or another long, thin object that can be able to reach inside the door.
If you don't have a coat hanger Try a piece tubing or some wire. This is the same trick that professionals employ to open their vehicles and make their cars more secure, so you're sure it will work!
There are many methods to open a locked vehicle, but you must be cautious not to damage your car or injure yourself. Remember to always take the simplest and least damaging method first. Your insurance company may also cover these services! If nothing else works you can contact 911 or an auto towing service. They will charge a small 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 time or another. It's not an issue when you know how to enter. If you have a spare key in your home, ensure that you have it in a place where you can access it. Ask a friend or relative who you trust to keep keys for you if you don't have one. Also, make vehicle lock out of checking your keys before hitting the lock button. Never lock your car with the remote, simply to ensure your security. These simple steps can help ensure that you are not locked out of your car in the future.