Locked Keys in Car? Here’s How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
It’s more likely than you think that you’ll keep your keys locked inside your car. There are many ways to get back inside without calling assistance on the road.
By taking preventive measures, for example, always double-checking locks before locking doors, and keeping spare keys in designated places to avoid being accidentally locked keys in car out of your car altogether!
1. Inflatable Wedge
It can be a very uncomfortable feeling to realize you have locked myself out of car your keys inside your car. It could send your day into a tailspin and leave you wondering if you’ll get home or to work or to your next appointment.
Fortunately, there are a number of methods to gain access back to your vehicle after locking your keys in it. Utilizing a coat hanger made of wire that you’ve shaped into a hook or constructing a wedge out of three or two door stops can help you break through the glass and unlock your door. If you don’t have access the materials mentioned above or if your car has an automatic lock, an air pump wedge may be the ideal solution.
An air pump wedge is a versatile tool, which is often utilized by professional locksmiths and repo professionals to provide 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 is accessible via longer-reach tools, such as car unlocking rods. These wedges also feature a heavy-duty design that is non-marring to prevent chipping of the paint on the car.
For DIYers, there are many air wedge kits available for purchase on the market, including a few that come with a handy hand pump to allow manual inflation. A good kit will be able to create an opening between the door and the jamb sufficient to allow for the installation of access tools and unlock the majority of cars that have manual locks.
If none of the other options work then you can always contact roadside assistance or a local locksmith, if you don’t have a spare lock. If this is the only option you have make sure you keep a spare in a secure location to ensure that you don’t lose it if you need it. Whatever method you decide to use, be patient and remember that it’s okay to panic when you lock your keys in your car. your life can still go with the same ease when you follow these easy guidelines.
2. Coat Hanger
A wire coat hanger is a standard item in many households and is a simple way to unlock a locked vehicle. 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 method police officers use with a slim jim. However, using a coat hanger takes less finagling.
Make sure you have a long length of paracord or string that is stiff and tie a slipknot around the middle. Use the slipknot to pry open the car door slightly towards the top corner. This gives you enough space to place a rod like hanger for clothes 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 end of your coat hanger and straighten it to ensure that you have a hook and an edge that is straight on both sides. It is possible to bend a hook into a V-shape if you have pliers. You will need to do this a few times to achieve the ideal hook shape. Once you have the right shape, you can slide it over the weather stripping on 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 forward and back to find the pin or bar that regulates the door lock post. Depending on your vehicle, it may be located just above or below the interior door handle. Tap it lightly to see if you can move it. You can also try to move it upwards or backwards in order to deactivate the lock.
If the lock post moves then you have successfully disconnected the lock. Then you can simply pull the handle down and you’re back in your vehicle! This method works on older vehicles with manual locks. Just be careful not to damage your window or car frame by slipping 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 rod such as a wooden or metal strip that fits through the gap between the door frame and the car to press down the unlock button on the inside. However, these options are not always readily available and may scratch the paint of your car. Another alternative is to use an air wedge. It resembles an inflatable cuff that you may find in a doctor’s office. It can be placed into the gap to make it enough to push the unlock button. These devices are inexpensive and can be used again and again to unlock your car.
A simpler tool to make use of is a shoelace. First, take off your shoes and eyeball around the middle to find the location where the slip knot is situated. Then, put the shoelace’s end between the corner of your car door and the doorframe and move it through the crack until it loops around the knob of the lock. Pull tight and upwards. This technique can be learned with practice in less than 30 seconds.
If this method doesn’t work, you can try using a slim Jim to open the door of your vehicle unlock service. 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 door and the window. A person can maneuver the hooks of a slim jim in order to open a car door, but this method is somewhat risky since it requires insertion of the device through the window’s glass and could cause damage to the door’s seal.
It is crucial to prepare for scenarios when you’re tempted to leave your keys in a car and need to access it. You can prepare yourself for this eventuality by signing up for the automaker’s service or app or by subscribing to roadside assistance or leaving a spare fob and key with friends or family.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals carry a blood pressure cuff in their bag. Even if not, this is a low-cost device that could save the day when you lock your keys in your car.
Slide a deflated cuff into the gap where the door meets the frame. Slowly inflate it to make an opening. Don’t over-inflate it or you risk damaging the door. You should now have enough room to insert an iron coat hanger or any other long, thin object that could reach the unlock button inside the door.
If you don’t own a coat hanger or wire, you can make use of a tubing piece. This is the same trick that professionals use to unlock their cars and you can be sure that it will work!
There are a variety of methods to unlock a locked car but you should be cautious not to harm your vehicle or yourself. Always try the simplest and most secure method first. Your insurance company could also cover these types of services! If all else fails you can contact 911 or use an auto towing service. They will charge a small fee, but you’ll save time and money in the end. It’s good to know that we’ve all locked our keys inside our cars at some time or another. It’s not an issue when you know how to enter. If you have an additional key in your home, ensure you are aware of where it is. If not, ask a trusted friend or family member to keep an extra key for you. Also, be sure to make a habit of checking your keys before you press the lock button. Also, never lock your car using the remote, simply to ensure your security. These tips will ensure that you are not locked out of your vehicle in the future.