Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
The chances of locking your keys inside your car are probably much greater than you imagine. Luckily, there are multiple options to get back inside without calling roadside assistance.
By taking precautionary measures, like always double-checking locks before locking doors, and keeping spare keys in designated locations you can ensure that you don't get locked out of your car completely!
1. Inflatable Wedge
The feeling of locking your keys in your car could be among the worst experiences you'll ever have. It can throw your day into chaos and make you think about how you'll get home to work or to your next appointment.
There are many methods to get back into your car if you've lost your keys. You can break the glass by using a wire coathanger that you've turned into a 'hook', or making a wedge from two or three door stoppers. If you don't have these items or if your car has an auto lock and an air pump wedge could be the best solution.
Air pump wedges are a nifty tool that locksmiths and repo experts for auto lockouts. They typically have an inflatable bag that slides between the door of the car and the weather stripping to form an opening that is accessible with longer-reaching tools, such as car-unlocking rods. These wedges are also designed to be durable and non-marring, which helps to avoid chipping the car's paint while also providing a solid solution for getting into a locked vehicle.
There are numerous DIY air wedge kits on the market. Some include a hand pump to manually inflate. A good kit will create an opening large enough to allow tools to be inserted and unlock many cars with manual locks.
If all else fails, you can always call roadside assistance or a local locksmith If you do not have a spare key. If you're the only option, make sure that you keep your spare key in a secure place so that you don't have to worry about losing it when you need to use it. Whatever method you choose do not panic. You can return to normal by following these simple guidelines.
2. Coat Hanger
Wire coat hangers are a standard household item that can be used to open the car. The trick is to bend the hook into a small "V" shape that will grip the lock post inside your door, and then move it to pop the lock open. This is the same technique police officers employ with a slim jim, but using a coat hanger takes less finagling.
Attach a slipknot in the middle of a long, string or paracord that is stiff. Use the slipknot to push open the door of your car towards the top corner. This will give you enough space to place an extended rod for example, a clotheshanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood-pressure cuff, ask your local drugstore for one. They often include them in their emergency kits.
Unravel the coat hanger's end and straighten it so that you have a hook as well as an edge that is straight on both sides. https://www.g28carkeys.co.uk/car-opening-unlock-your-vehicle/ might be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape if you have pliers. This will require repeating the process a few times until you achieve the perfect hook shape. Once you've found the right shape, you can slide it over the weather stripping on the bottom of the door. Insert it into the door just above the handle.
Once the hanger is in place, move it around to find the pin or bar controlling the door lock post. Depending on the type of vehicle, you may find it just below or above the door handle on your interior. Tap lightly on it to see if you are able to move it. You can also try to pull it up or backwards to release the lock.
If the lock post jiggles it means you have successfully disengaged the lock. You can then pull the handle downwards and you're back in your car! This method also works on older vehicles that have manual locks. The hook is inserted gently to avoid damaging the frame of the car or window.
3. Shoestring
There are a number of tools that can help you get into your locked car quickly. You can use a lengthy wood or metal strip that fits through the gap between the car and the door frame, and then press the unlock button from inside. These options are not always available and may damage the paint of your car. Another alternative is an air wedge. It looks like an inflatable cuff could be found in a doctor's office. It can be pumped into the gap to make it enough to push the unlock button. These devices are fairly inexpensive and can be used repeatedly in order to unlock your car.
A shoelace is an even simpler tool. First, take off the shoes and eyeball around the middle to determine where the slip knot is situated. Then, you can place one end of the shoelace between the corner of your car door and the doorframe and work it down through the crack until it loops around the knob of the lock. Pull tightly and pull upwards. After a few times, this technique can be mastered in less than 30 seconds.
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If this method doesn't work, you could try a slim Jim to open your vehicle. A slim jam is a flat thin piece of metal that has hooks on both ends. It fits into the space between the weatherproofing rubber of your car's door and window. One can use the hooks of a slim jim to open a car door, but this method is a bit risky as it requires inserting the device through the window glass 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 your keys in a car and have to get into it. You can prepare yourself for this scenario by signing up to the automaker's app or service or by subscribing to roadside assistance, or leaving an extra fob and key with friends or family.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many nurses, doctors and other staff members carry a blood-pressure cuff with them. This is a small device that can be used to unlock your car when you've locked the keys inside.
Insert a cuff that has been deflated into the space where the door meets the frame and slowly inflate it to make an opening. Do not over-inflate the cuff or you could harm the door. There should be enough room to insert a wire coat hanger or any other long, thin object that can reach the unlock button within the door.
If you don't have a coat hanger or wire, you could make use of a tubing piece. This is the same method that professionals use to open their vehicles, so you can be certain that it will work!
There are many ways to unlock a locked car but you should be careful to not cause damage to your vehicle or yourself. Always go for the simplest and least damaging methods first - and don't forget that your auto insurance might cover assistance in this type of situation! If nothing else works, call 911 or contact a towing company. You'll be charged an amount that is small, but you'll save money and time 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 a common mistake and typically will not ruin your day so long as you know the proper steps to get your keys back! If you have an extra key in your home, make sure that it's in the right place to find it. If not, ask a trusted friend or relative to keep an extra key for you. Also, keep a routine of checking your keys before pressing the lock button and never lock your car using the remote, simply to be safe. These tips will keep you from being locked out of your vehicle in the future.
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