Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
It's more likely than you think you'll lock your keys in your car. There are several ways to get inside your car without calling roadside assistance.
By taking preventative measures, such as always double-checking before locking the doors, and keeping spare keys in designated areas to avoid being locked out of your car altogether!
1. Inflatable Wedge
It's a difficult feeling to discover that you've locked your keys in the car. It can throw your day into chaos and make you think about how to get home, to work or to your next appointment.
There are many ways to get back into your car after losing your keys. You can break the glass using a coathanger wire that you have shaped into a hook or making a wedge out of three or two door stoppers. If you don't have these materials or your car has an auto lock or air pump, then an air pump wedge might be the best choice.
An air pump wedge is a multi-purpose tool that's often used by professional locksmiths and repo professionals for auto lockout services. These tools usually feature an inflatable bag that slides between the door and weather stripping of the car to create an opening that can be opened by longer-reaching tools such as car unlocking rods. These wedges are also designed to be heavy-duty and non-marring, which helps to avoid scratching the paint of your car while providing a strong solution for getting into the vehicle that is locked.
There are many DIY air wedge kits available on the market. Some include a hand pump to manually inflate. A top-quality kit can create an opening large enough to insert tools and open many vehicles with manual locks.
For those who don't have an air wedge or another alternative, there's the option of calling roadside assistance or a locksmith in your area in the event that there is nothing else that works. If this is the only option available, keep a spare in a safe place so you won't lose it if you need it. Whatever method you decide to use, be patient and remember that it's ok to be scared when you lock your keys in your car. your life will go on as normal when you follow these easy guidelines.
2. Coat Hanger
A coat hanger made of wire is a standard item in most households and it is a simple way to open a locked car . The trick is to bend the hook into a tiny "V" shape that will grasp the lock post within your door and then manipulate it to open the lock. open. This is the same technique police officers employ using a slim jim, but using a coat hanger requires less effort.
Take a long piece of stiff string or paracord and tie a slipknot through the middle. Apply the slipknot to the top of the car door to pull it open. This will allow you enough space to insert an extended rod like a clothes hanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't own a blood pressure cuff or a blood pressure cuff, ask your local pharmacy for one. They often include them in their emergency kits.
Unravel your coat hanger's end and straighten it until you have a hook as well as a straight edge on both sides. It is possible to bend hooks into a V-shape if you have pliers. This will require repeating the process a few times until you achieve the ideal hook shape. Once you've found the right shape, slide it in behind the weather stripping at the bottom of the door. Insert it into the door just above the handle.
Once you have the hanger positioned on the wall, you can move it around to find a pin or a bar that regulates the door lock post. Depending on the type of vehicle you might find it above or below the handle of your door's interior. Tap it lightly to see if it is able to move it. You can also try to pull it upwards or backwards to release the lock.
If the lock's post shakes it means you have successfully disengaged the lock. Then, you can pull the handle down and you are in your vehicle! This method is also applicable to older vehicles with manual locks. The hook is inserted gently to ensure that it doesn't damage the frame of the car or window.
3. Shoestring
There are several tools that can be used to swiftly unlock your car. You can use a long rod like a wooden or metal strip that fits through the gap between the door frame and the car. It will then push down the unlock button on the inside. These options are not always available and may scratch the paint on your vehicle. An air wedge is a different alternative. It resembles an inflatable cuff you might find at a doctor's office. It can be pumped into the gap until it sufficient to push the unlock button. These devices aren't expensive and can be used repeatedly and again to unlock your car.
A more simple tool to utilize is the shoelace. First, unlace a pair of shoes and eyeball around the middle to determine the location where the slip knot is situated. Place one end of your shoelace between the corner and the doorframe of your car and work it through the crack until it forms a tie around the knob of your lock. Pull tightly and pull upwards. This technique can be mastered through practice in less than 30 seconds.
If this method does not work, you could try a slim Jim to open your vehicle. A slim jim is a flat thin piece of metal that has hooks at both ends that fit into the space between the weatherproofing rubber on your car's door and window. The user can move the hooks of a slim jim in order to open the door of a car, but this method is somewhat risky because it requires insertion of the device through the window's glass and could damage the door's seal.
It is essential to prepare for scenarios in which you'll need to 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 and registering for roadside assistance, or leaving a spare fob and key with friends or family.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many nurses, doctors and others have a blood pressure cuff that they carry in their pockets. Even if not, this is an inexpensive device that could to save the day if you lock your keys in your car.
Slide a deflated wrist into the gap between the door and the frame. Slowly inflate the wrist to create a hole. Do not over-inflate it, or you risk damaging the door. You should now have enough space to place an iron coat hanger or any other long, thin object that could reach the unlock button within the door.
If you don't own a coat hanger or wire, you could use a piece of tubing. This is the same method used by professionals to unlock their cars, so you can be certain that it will work!
There are a myriad of ways to get into a locked car, but you need to be careful not to do anything that might damage your vehicle or hurt yourself. Always take the simplest and least damaging method first. Your auto insurance might also cover these services! If nothing else works then you can dial 911 or use an auto towing service. They will charge a small cost, but you'll save time and money in the long run. It's a good thing that we have all locked our keys in our cars at some point. It's not a huge issue if you know how to get in. If you have an extra key at your home, ensure you know where it is. If you don't, ask a trusted friend or relative to keep an additional key for you. To ensure your safety, always check that you have the keys before pressing the lock. These simple steps can help prevent you from being locked out of your vehicle in the future.