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 many ways to get back inside without calling assistance on the road.
By taking preventative measures, such as always double-checking locks before locking doors and keeping spare keys in designated places you can ensure that you don't get locked out of your car altogether!
1. Inflatable Wedge
It's a difficult feeling to discover that you've locked your keys inside your car. It can throw your entire day into a tizzy and leave you wondering how you'll get home, to the office, or to your next appointment.
There are a variety of methods to get back into your car if you've lost your keys. You can break the glass using a coathanger made of wire that you have shaped into a 'hook', or making a wedge from two or three door stoppers. If you don't have these items or if your vehicle has an auto lock and an air pump wedge could be the best choice.
Air pump wedges are an incredibly versatile tool used by locksmiths as well as repo experts for auto lockouts. These tools typically come with an inflatable bag that slips between the door of the car and the weather stripping to create an opening that can be reached via longer-reach tools, like car-unlocking rods. These wedges are made to be strong and non-marring, which aids to avoid scratching the paint of your car while providing a strong solution to gain access to a locked vehicle.
For DIYers There are a variety of air wedge kits available for purchase on the market, including some that include a hand pump to allow manual inflation. A top-quality kit can create a gap large enough to allow tools to be inserted and unlock many cars with manual locks.
If how do you unlock a car without a key 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 you're the only option, make sure that you keep an extra key in a secure place to ensure that you don't have to be concerned about losing it when the time comes to use it. No matter what method you select do not panic. You can still return to normal by following these easy tips.
2. Coat Hanger
A wire coat hanger is a common item found in the majority of households. It can be used to unlock a locked vehicle. The trick is to bend the hook into a small V to allow it to grab the lock post on your door. Then, you can manipulate the hook to pop the lock. This is the same method police officers employ with a slim jim, but using a coat hanger requires less effort.
Choose a long piece of stiff string or paracord and tie a slipknot around the middle. Use the slipknot on the top edge of the car door to pry it open. This gives you enough space to place a rod, like a clothes hanger or a 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 and straighten it out so that you have an opening on one side and a straight one on the other. If you have pliers, it could be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape. This requires repeating the process a few times until you reach the desired hook shape. Once you've found the right shape, you can slide it over the weather stripping at the bottom of the door. Install it on the door just above the handle.
Once you have the hanger positioned on the wall, you can move it forward and back to locate a pin or a bar that regulates the door lock post. Depending on the type of vehicle you have, it may be located just above or below the interior door handle. If you locate it, tap on it lightly to check whether it moves. You can also pull it upwards or backwards in order to deactivate the lock.
You have successfully removed your lock if the post is jiggling. Then, pull the handle downwards and you're inside your vehicle! This method works on older vehicles that have manual locks. The hook is inserted gently to ensure that it doesn't damage the window or car frame.
3. Shoestring
There are many tools that can be used to swiftly unlock your car. You can use a long wood or metal strip that fits through the gap between the car and the door frame to push the unlock button from inside. These options aren't always available and may scratch the paint on your vehicle. A wedge made of air is another option. It resembles an inflatable cuff you might find at a doctor's office. It can be pumped into the gap to make it sufficient to push the unlock button. These devices are relatively inexpensive and can be used over and over in order to unlock your car.
An even simpler tool to utilize is the shoelace. First, unlace a pair of shoes and look around the middle to determine the location where the slip knot is located. Then, you can place one end of the shoelace between the corner of your car's door and the doorframe, and pull it down through the crack until it wraps around the knob on the lock. Then, pull it tightly and upwards. This method can be mastered with practice in less than 30 seconds.
If this method isn't working You might try using a slim jim to open your car. A slim jim is a flat, thin metal tool with hooks at both ends that fit into the space between the weatherproofing rubber on your car's door and window. One can use the hooks of a slim jim in order to open the car door, however this technique is a bit risky since it requires the device to be inserted through the glass of the window and could damage the seal of the door.
Plan ahead in case you leave your keys inside your vehicle and require to get it. There are many ways to prepare for this situation before it occurs, such as signing up for an automaker's application or service, signing up for roadside assistance, or even leaving keys and fobs with family members or friends.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many doctors, nurses and others have a blood pressure cuff in their bags. Even if you don't have one, this is a low-cost device that can to save the day if you lock keys in car.
Slide a deflated wrist into the gap between the door and the frame. Slowly inflate the wrist until it forms an opening. Do not over-inflate the cuff or you could harm the door. You should have enough room to put in a wire hanger or another long thin object that is able to be able to reach inside the door.
If you don't have a coat hanger or wire, you could make use of a tubing piece. This is the same trick that professionals use to open their cars and make their cars more secure, so you're sure that it will work!
There are a myriad of ways to gain entry into a locked vehicle, but you have to be careful not to do anything that might cause damage to your vehicle or yourself. Always try the easiest and least damaging techniques first. Don't forget that your insurance may provide assistance in this type of situation! If all else fails call 911 or a towing company. There will be an amount that is small, but you'll save money and time in the end. The good news is that the majority of us have locked our keys inside our cars at one point or another. It's a common mistake and usually won't cause any problems as long as you know the proper steps to get back inside! If you have a spare key in your house, make sure it's where you can find it. If not have a trusted person or family member to keep an extra key for you. Also, keep a routine of checking your keys before hitting the lock button and never lock your car with the remote, simply to ensure your security. These simple steps will prevent you from getting locked out of your car in the future!