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 lock your keys in your car. Luckily, there are multiple options to get back inside without calling for assistance on the road.
You can avoid being locked out of your car by taking preventative measures such as double-checking the doors before locking them, and keeping spare keys in designated locations.
1. Inflatable Wedge
It can be a very frustrating feeling to realize that you've locked your keys in the car. It could send your day into a tailspin and leave you wondering if you'll ever get home or to work, or to your next appointment.
Fortunately, there are a number of methods to gain access back to your vehicle when you've locked your keys inside the car. You can break the glass by using a coathanger made of wire that you've turned into a hook or making a wedge out of three or two door stoppers. If you don't have access the materials mentioned above or if your car has an automatic lock, an air pump wedge might be the ideal solution.
An air pump wedge is a multi-purpose tool that's often used by professional locksmiths and repo experts for auto lockout services. They typically come with an inflatable bag that slips between the door and the weather stripping of the car to create a gap which can be reached with longer-reaching tools, such as rods for unlocking vehicles. These wedges are also made of a heavy-duty design that is non-marring to prevent chipping of the paint on a car.
There are a variety of DIY air wedge kits available on the market. Some include the option of a hand pump that you can manually inflate. A top-quality kit will be able to create a gap between the door and the jamb sufficient to allow for the installation of access tools and open most cars with manual locks.
If nothing else works then you can always contact roadside assistance or a local lock-smith in the event that you don't have a spare key. If you're the only option, ensure that you keep your spare key in a safe place to ensure that you don't have to worry about losing it when the time comes to use it. No matter what method you choose, remain patient and remember that it's okay to panic when you lock your keys in your car. your life will continue in the normal way by following these simple tips.
2. Coat Hanger
A coat hanger made of wire is a standard item in the majority of households. It can be used to open a locked car. The trick is to bend the hook into a small V so that it can grab the lock post on your door. You then manipulate the hook to pop the lock. The same technique is used by police officers using a slim Jim, but coat hangers require less fiddling.
Tie a slipknot at the middle of a long, stiff string or paracord. Apply the slipknot to the top edge of the car door to pry it open. This will allow you enough space to insert a long rod for example, a clotheshanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood pressure cuff, look at your local discount or drugstore as they often have one in their emergency kits.
Unravel the top of your coat hanger, then straighten it so that you have a hook on one end and a straight one on the other. It might be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape, especially if you have pliers. This will require you to repeat the process several times until you achieve the perfect hook shape. Once you have 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, move it back and forth to locate a pin or a bar that is responsible for the door lock post. Depending on the vehicle you might find it above or below the door handle on your interior. Tap it lightly to see if it is able to move it. You can also move it upwards or backwards in order to deactivate the lock.
You have successfully removed your lock if the post jiggles. You can then pull the handle down and you're in your vehicle! This method works for older vehicles that have manual locks. Slide the hook in gently to ensure that it doesn't damage the frame of the car or window.
3. Shoestring
There are a number of tools to gain access to your locked car quickly. You can use a long metal or wood strip that fits through the gap between your car and the door frame to push the unlock button from inside. However, these options are not always readily available and could scratch the paint of your car. An air wedge is another option. It looks like an inflatable cuff that could be found in an office of a doctor. It can be pumped into the gap until it sufficient to push the unlock button. These devices are fairly inexpensive and can be used multiple times in order to unlock your vehicle.
A much simpler tool to utilize is the shoelace. First, take off the shoes and eyeball around the middle to find where the slip knot is situated. Put one end of your shoelace between the doorframe and the corner of your car and work it through the crack until it forms a loop around the lock's knob. Make sure you pull the lock hard and upwards. This method can be mastered through practice in less than 30 second.
If this method does not work, you can try using a slim Jim to open the door of your vehicle. A slim jam is a flat thin metal tool with hooks at both ends that fit into the space between the weatherproofing rubber of your car's door and window. A person can maneuver the hooks of a slim jim to open a car door, but this technique is a bit risky because it requires insertion of the device through the window glass and could damage the seal of the door.
It is essential to be prepared for the eventuality in which you'll need to leave keys in your car and have to get into it. There are a number of ways you can prepare yourself for this scenario prior to it happening like signing up for an automaker's app or service, registering for roadside assistance, or leaving keys and fobs with your family or friends.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many nurses, doctors and other staff members carry a blood-pressure cuff with them. Even if not, G28CarKeys is an inexpensive device that can to save the day if you lock your keys in the car.
Place a deflated cuff in the gap where the door joins the frame and slowly inflate it to make an opening. Be careful not to over-inflate or you could damage the door. You should now have enough room to insert a coat hanger made of wire or another long, thin object that can reach the unlock button within the door.
If you don't own a coat hanger or wire, you could make use of a tubing piece. This is the same method that professionals employ to unlock their cars and you can be certain it will work!
There are a variety of methods to unlock a locked car however, you must be careful to not damage your car or injure yourself. Always use the easiest and least damaging techniques first - and don't forget that your auto insurance may provide assistance in this kind of scenario! If all else fails, call 911 or contact a towing company. There will be a small fee but you'll save money and time in the end. It's good to know that we've all locked our keys in our vehicles at some time or another. It's not an issue when you know how to enter. If you have a spare key in your home, make sure it's where you can find it. Ask a friend or relative who you trust to store keys for you if you don't have one. To be safe, always ensure that you have keys before you press the lock. These simple tips can keep you from being locked out of your vehicle in the future.