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. Fortunately, there are a variety of options to get back inside without calling for assistance on the road.
You can prevent being locked out of your car by taking preventative measures, such as double-checking the doors prior to locking them and keeping spare keys in designated areas.
1. Inflatable Wedge
The feeling of locking your keys in the car can be one of the worst experiences you'll ever have. It can turn your day into chaos and cause you to think about how you'll get home, to work, or to your next event.
There are a variety of ways to get back into your car if you've lost your keys. Utilizing a coat hanger that you've shaped into a hook or constructing a wedge out of two or three door stops can allow you to break through the glass and open your door. If you don't have access the materials mentioned above or if your vehicle is equipped with an automatic lock, an air pump wedge could be the best option.
An air pump wedge is a versatile tool that's often used by professional locksmiths and repo professionals for auto lockout services. These tools typically feature an inflatable bag that slides between the car door and the weather stripping to form an opening that can be accessed with longer-reaching tools, like car-unlocking rods. These wedges also have a heavy-duty design that is non-marring, which helps to prevent chipping of the paint on a car.
There are many DIY air wedge kits on the market. Some come with a hand pump to manually inflate. A top-quality kit will be able form an opening large enough to fit tools 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 don't have a spare lock. If i lock my keys in the car 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 make use of it. No matter what method you choose do not panic. You can return to normal by following these tips.
2. Coat Hanger
A wire coat hanger is a common item in most households and it can be easily used to open a locked car. The trick is to bend the hook into a small V shape so that it can grab the lock post on your door. Then, you manipulate the hook to pop the lock. This is the same technique police officers employ with the slim jim, however using a coat hanger requires less effort.
Choose a long piece of stiff string or paracord and tie a slipknot around the middle. Apply the slipknot to the top edge of the car door to open it open. This will allow you enough space to place an extended rod, such as a clotheshanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't have an cuff for blood pressure 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 as well as an edge that is straight on both sides. If you have pliers, it may be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape. This will require repeating the process several times before you reach the desired hook shape. Once you've found the perfect shape then slide the hook through the weather stripping that is on the door's bottom. Then, slide it into the door, just above the handle.
Once the hanger is in place then move it around to find the pin or bar that controls the door lock post. Depending on your vehicle, it may be located either above or below the door's interior handle. Tap lightly on it to see if it is able to move it. Then try pulling it up or backwards to detach the lock.
If the lock post jiggles it means you have successfully disengaged the lock. You can then pull the handle backwards and you're back in your car! This method is suitable for older vehicles with manual locks. The hook is inserted gently to avoid damaging the window or frame of the car.
3. Shoestring
There are many tools to gain access to your car that is locked. You can use a long wooden or metal strip that fits into the gap between the car and the door frame to push the unlock button from inside. These options are not always available and may scratch the paint on your vehicle. Another option is an air wedge. It's shaped like an inflatable cuff that you might find at an office of a doctor. It can be placed into the gap to make it enough to push the unlock button. These devices are fairly inexpensive and can be used repeatedly when needed to unlock your vehicle.
A shoelace is a more simple tool. To locate the slip knot, first unlace your shoe and examine the middle. Then, place the shoelace's end between the corner of your car door and the door frame and work it down through the crack until it loops around the knob on the lock. Then, pull it hard and upwards. If you practice this technique, it can be mastered in less than 30 seconds.
If this method isn't working If this doesn't work, you could try using the slim jim to open your car. A slim jim is a thin, flat tool made of metal with hooks on both ends that sits between the weatherproofing rubber of the car's door and window, is the ideal solution. The hooks on a slim jim may be used to open the door of a car. However this is a risky method because it requires inserting the tool through the window and could cause damage to the seal.
Plan ahead in case you leave your keys inside your vehicle and require to enter it. There are a number of ways to prepare for this situation before it occurs by signing up for an automaker's application or service, registering for roadside assistance, or leaving keys and fobs with family members or friends.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many doctors, nurses, and others carry a blood-pressure cuff with them. Even if not, this is an inexpensive device that can to save the day if you lock your keys in your car.
Insert a cuff that has been deflated into the space where the door meets the frame. Slowly inflate it until it creates an opening. Be careful not to over-inflate or you risk damaging the door. You should now have enough room to insert an iron coat hanger or other long, skinny object that can reach the unlock button inside the door.
If you don't have a hanger for your coat, try a piece of tubing or some wire. This is the same method used by professionals to open their vehicles, so you can be sure it will work!
There are a variety of methods to unlock a locked car however, you must be careful to not harm your vehicle or yourself. Always try the easiest and least damaging method first - and don't forget that your auto insurance may provide services to assist you in this kind of scenario! If all else fails call 911 or contact a towing company. You will be charged for a small amount, but you will save time and money in the end. It's a good thing we've all locked our keys in our cars at some point. It's not a big deal if you know how to enter. If you have an extra key in your house, make sure that you have it in a place where you can access it. If you don't then ask a trusted friend or family member to keep an additional key for you. Also, make a habit of checking your keys before hitting the lock button. Never lock your car using the remote, simply to be sure. These simple tips can keep you from being locked out of your vehicle in the future.