Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
It's more likely than you think you'll keep your keys locked inside your car. There are many ways to get inside your car without having to call roadside assistance.
By taking precautionary measures, like always double-checking locks before locking doors, and keeping spare keys in designated areas, you can avoid getting locked out of your car completely!
1. Inflatable Wedge
It can be a very uncomfortable feeling to realize you have locked your keys inside the car. It can throw your day into chaos and make you think about how you'll get home to work or to your next meeting.
There are several options to get back into your vehicle after locking your keys in the vehicle. Utilizing a coat hanger that you've made into a hook, or creating wedges from three or two door stops can help you break through the glass and unlock your door. If you don't own these items or your vehicle has an auto lock and an air pump wedge may be the best option.
Air pump wedges are a versatile tool that locksmiths and repo experts for auto lockouts. They typically come with an inflatable bag that slips between the door and weather stripping of the car to create an opening that can be opened with longer-reaching tools, like car unlocking rods. These wedges are also designed to be durable and non-marring, which helps to avoid damaging the paint on your car, while also providing a solid solution to gain access to the vehicle that is locked.
For those who are DIY-ers, there are many air wedge kits for sale on the market, with some that include a hand pump for manual inflation. A high-quality kit can create an opening large enough to insert tools and open many vehicles with manual locks.
If you don't have an air wedge or other option, there is always the option to call for roadside assistance or a local locksmith in the event that you're not able to find a solution. If this is the only option available you should keep a spare key in a secure location so you won't lose it if you need it. Whatever method you choose, remain patient and remember it's fine to panic when you lock your keys in your car; your life can still go with the same ease when you follow these easy 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 the hook into a small "V" shape that will grip the lock post inside your door and manipulate it to push the lock open. This is the same method police officers use with a slim jim. However, using a coat hanger requires less effort.
Take a long piece of stiff string or paracord and tie a slipknot around the middle. Apply the slipknot to the top of the car door to open it open. This gives you enough space to put in a long rod, such as a clothes hanger or a blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood pressure cuff or a blood pressure cuff, ask your local pharmacy for one. They usually include them in their emergency kits.
Unravel the top of your coat hanger and straighten it out so you have a hook on one side and a straight one on the other. It is possible to bend hooks into a V-shape when you have pliers. This requires repeating the process several times until you achieve the ideal hook shape. Once you've got the right shape then slide the hook through the weather stripping at the lower part of the door. Then, slide 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 might find it just below or above your interior door handle. Tap lightly on it to see if you can move it. You can also move it upwards or backwards in order to deactivate the lock.
You have successfully disengaged your lock if the lock post moves. Then you can simply lower the handle and you're in your car! get my keys out of my car works on older vehicles that have manual locks. Just be careful not to damage your window or the car frame by sliding the hook too far.
3. Shoestring
There are a number of tools available to get into your car locked quickly. You can use an extended rod, such as a wooden or metal strip that can fit through the gap between the door frame and the car, and then press down the unlock button located on the inside. However, these options are not always easy to locate and may scratch the paint on your vehicle. Another alternative is to use an air wedge. It's similar to the inflatable cuff you use at the doctor's office and can be pumped into to create a gap enough to push the unlock button within the. These devices are fairly inexpensive and can be used repeatedly in order to unlock your car.
A shoelace is an even simpler tool. To find the slip knot, you must first unlace a shoe and then look around the middle. Put one end of your shoelace between the doorframe and the corner of your car and work through the crack to loop around the lock's knob. Pull it tight and upwards. If you practice this technique, it can be mastered 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 is a flat thin metal tool that has hooks on both ends and fits into the space between the weatherproofing rubber on your car door and the window. The hooks on a slim jim can be used to open a car's door. However this is a risky method since it requires insertion of the tool through the window, and could damage the seal.
Prepare for the possibility that you forget your keys in the vehicle and have to get it. You can prepare yourself for this eventuality by signing up to the automaker's service or app, subscribing for roadside assistance, or leaving keys and a spare fob with friends or family.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many doctors, nurses and other professionals carry a blood-pressure cuff with them. Even if not, this is a cheap device that could to save the day if you lock your keys in the car.
Slide a deflated wrist into the gap between the frame and the door. Slowly inflate the wrist until it forms an opening. Don't over-inflate it or you could damage the door. There should be enough room to put in a wire hanger or a long, thin object that can be able to reach inside the door.
If you don't own a coat hanger or wire, you could use a piece of tubing. This is the same method that professionals use to open their vehicles, so you can be certain that it will work!
There are a myriad of ways to gain entry into a locked vehicle, but you have be cautious not to do anything that might harm your vehicle or yourself. Always use the easiest and least damaging methods first. Don't forget that your car insurance may cover services to assist you in this kind of situation! If nothing else works you can contact 911 or an auto towing service. They'll charge a modest cost, but you'll save time and money in the long run. The positive side is that a lot of us have locked our keys inside our cars at some point or another. It's not a big deal when you are aware of how to gain entry. If you have a spare key in your home, make sure it's where you can find it. Request a family member or friend who you trust to keep keys for you in case you don't have one. To be safe, always make sure you have the keys before pressing the lock. These simple tips will keep you from getting locked out of your car in the future!