Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
It's more likely than you think that you will keep your keys locked inside your car. Fortunately, there are a variety of options to get back inside without calling for roadside assistance.
By taking preventative measures, such as always double-checking the locks before locking the doors and keeping spare keys in designated locations, you can avoid getting locked out of your car completely!
1. Inflatable Wedge
The feeling of having locked your keys in the car be one of the most unpleasant experiences you'll ever have. It can send your day into a tailspin and leave you wondering if you'll ever get home, to the office, or to your next appointment.
There are a number of methods for getting back into your vehicle when you've locked your keys inside the vehicle. Utilizing a coat hanger made of wire that you've shaped into a hook, or creating an elongated wedge from three or two door stops can allow you to break through the glass to open your door. If you don't have these items or your vehicle is equipped with an auto lock, then an air pump wedge might be the best choice.
Air pump wedges are a nifty tool used by locksmiths and repo experts for auto lockouts. These tools typically have an inflatable bag that is slipped between the door and weather stripping of the car to create gaps that can be accessed with longer-reaching tools, such as rods for unlocking vehicles. These wedges are also designed to be durable and non-marring. This helps to avoid damaging the paint on your car, while also providing a solid solution to get into a locked vehicle.
There are numerous DIY air wedge kits on the market. Some include an electric pump that can be used to manually inflate. A good kit will be able form a gap big enough to allow tools to be inserted and open many vehicles with manual locks.
If nothing else works, you can always call roadside assistance, or a local lock-smith in the event that you don't have a spare lock. If this is the only option, make sure that you keep an extra key in a secure location to ensure that you don't have to be concerned about losing it when the time comes to utilize it. Whatever method you choose, remain patient and remember it's fine to panic when you lock your keys in your car; your life will go on as normal if you follow these simple tips.
2. Coat Hanger
Wire coat hangers are a standard household item that can be used to unlock the car. The trick is to bend your hook into a small V shape to allow it to grab the lock post in your door. Then, you can use the hook to open the lock. The same technique is used by police officers with a slim Jim, however coat hangers require less effort.
Make a slipknot in middle of a long piece string or paracord that is stiff. Apply the slipknot to the top of the car door to pull it open. This gives you enough space to put in a long rod, like a clothes hanger or a blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood pressure cuff check at your local discount or drugstore and they usually have one in their emergency kits.
Unravel the coat hanger's end and straighten it so that you have a hook as well as a straight edge on both sides. If you have pliers, it might be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape. This requires repeating the process several times until you achieve the desired hook shape. Once you have the right shape, slide it in behind the weather stripping at the bottom of the door. Then, slide it into the door just above the handle.
Once you have the hanger positioned on the wall, you can move it around to locate the pin or bar that controls the door lock post. Depending on your vehicle it could be above or below the interior door handle. If you locate it, tap on it lightly to test if it moves. Try pulling it up or backwards to release the lock.
If the lock's post shakes then you have successfully disconnected the lock. Then, pull the handle downwards and you're inside your vehicle! This method works on older vehicles with manual locks. Just be careful not to scratch your window or the car frame by sliding the hook too far.
3. Shoestring
There are a number of tools that can help you get into your car that is locked. You can use a long wood or metal strip that can fit through the gap between your car and the door frame to push the unlock button from inside. However these options aren't always readily available and can scratch the paint of your car. Another alternative is to use an air wedge. It looks like an inflatable cuff that you may find in an office of a doctor. It can be pumped into the gap to make it enough to push the unlock button. These devices are not expensive and can be used over and again to unlock your vehicle.
A more simple tool to make use of is the shoelace. To find the slip knot, first unlace a shoe and look around the middle. Place one end of your shoelace between the corner and the doorframe of your car. Work it through the crack to wrap around the knob of the lock. Pull tightly and pull upwards. This method can be mastered by practicing for less than 30 second.
If this method does not work, you can use a slim Jim to unlock your vehicle. A slim jim is a thin, flat metal tool with hooks at both ends that fits between the weatherproofing rubber of your car door and window, is the ideal solution. The hooks on a slim jim can be used to open the car's door. However this is a risky method since it requires insertion of the tool through the window, and could cause damage to the seal.
It is important to prepare for scenarios where you might leave keys in your vehicle and have to access it. You can prepare yourself for this situation by signing up for the automaker's app or service, subscribing for roadside assistance or leaving keys and a spare fob with friends or family.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many nurses, doctors and other staff members carry a blood-pressure cuff with them. It's a simple device that can be used to open your car after you've locked the keys inside.
Slide a deflated wrist into the gap between the frame and the door. Slowly inflate the wrist to create a hole. Don't over-inflate it or you could damage 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 coat hanger, try a piece of tubing or wire. This is a trick that the pros employ to open their cars, so it should work!
There are G28 Car Keys to get into a locked vehicle, but you have be cautious not to do anything that could damage your vehicle or hurt yourself. Always try the easiest and least damaging methods first. Don't forget that your car insurance may cover assistance in this kind of scenario! If nothing else works contact 911 or a towing service. You'll be charged a small fee but you'll save money and time in the end. The good news is that the majority of us have locked keys in our cars at some point or another. It's not an issue when you know how to get in. If you have an additional key in your home, make sure you know where it is. Request a family member or friend who you trust to keep a spare key for you in case you don't have one. To ensure your security, make sure you have the keys before you press the lock. These simple tips will keep you from getting locked out of your car in the future!