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Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
It's more likely than you think you will lock your keys inside your car. There are several ways to get inside your car without having to call roadside assistance.
By taking precautionary measures, like always double-checking the locks before locking the doors and storing spare keys in designated places to avoid being locked out of your car completely!
1. Inflatable Wedge
It's a frustrating feeling to realize that you've locked your keys inside your car. It can throw your entire day into chaos and cause you to think about how to get home to work or to your next appointment.
There are a variety of methods to get back into your car if you've lost your keys. Using a wire coat hanger that you've shaped into a hook or making 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 these materials, or if your car has an automatic lock using an air pump wedge may be the ideal solution.
Air pump wedges are a versatile tool used by locksmiths as well as repo experts to help with auto lockouts. These tools typically have an inflatable bag that is slipped between the door and the weather stripping of the car to create an opening which can be reached with more extended tools, like car unlocking rods. These wedges are also designed to be durable and non-marring, which aids to prevent damaging the paint on your car, while also providing a solid solution to gain access to a locked vehicle.
There are many DIY air wedge kits on the market. Some come with the option of a hand pump that you can manually inflate. A top-quality kit can create a gap big enough to fit tools and unlock many cars with manual locks.
If you do not have an air wedge or other option, there is always the option to call for roadside assistance or a local locksmith, especially if you're not able to find a solution. If you're the only option, ensure that you keep an extra key in a secure place so that you don't need to be concerned about losing it when the time comes to use it. Regardless of the method you choose, remain patient and remember that it's ok to panic when you lock your keys in your car; your life can still go in the normal way 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 so that it can grab the lock post inside your door. Then, you can use the hook to open the lock. Similar techniques are used by police officers with a slim Jim, but coat hangers require less effort.
Make a slipknot in middle of a long, string or paracord that is stiff. Make use of the slipknot at the top edge of the car door to pull it open. This gives you enough space to put in a long rod like hanger for clothes or a blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood pressure cuff check at your local drugstore or discount store; they often include one in their emergency kits.
Unravel your coat hanger's end and straighten it so that you have a hook and an edge that is straight on both sides. If you have pliers, it might be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape. This will require you to repeat the process a few times until you reach the ideal hook shape. Once you've found the perfect shape then slide the hook through the weather stripping that is on the lower part of the door. Then, insert it into the door just above the handle.
Once the hanger is in place and it is in place, move it around until you find the pin or bar that controls the door lock post. Depending on your vehicle you drive, it could be either above or below the handle of your door's interior. Once you find it, tap it lightly to check whether it moves. Then, try pulling it upwards or backwards to detach the lock.
If the lock post jiggles then you have successfully disconnected the lock. Then, you can pull the handle down and you are in your vehicle! This method works for older vehicles with manual locks. Be careful not to damage your window or the car frame by sliding the hook too far.
3. Shoestring
There are many tools available to get into your car locked quickly. You can make use of an extended rod, such as a metal or wooden strip that can fit through the gap between the door frame and the car to press down the unlock button located on the inside. However these options aren't always readily available and can scratch the paint on your vehicle. Another alternative is an air wedge. It's similar to the cuff that you use in a doctor's office and can be pumped in to create a gap enough to push down the unlock button inside. These devices aren't expensive and can be used again and repeatedly to unlock your car.
An even more simple tool to use is the shoelace. To locate the slip knot, you must first unlace your shoe and then look around the middle. Set one end of the shoelace between the corner and the doorframe of your vehicle and then work it through the crack until it forms a tie around the knob of your lock. Pull tightly and up. With practice, this method can be learned 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 piece of metal that has hooks at both ends that fit into the space between the weatherproofing rubber on your car's 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 a bit risky as it requires inserting the device through the window glass and could cause damage to the door's seal.
Plan ahead in case you leave your keys inside a vehicle and need to access it. You can prepare yourself for this situation by signing up for the automaker's service or app, subscribing for roadside assistance or leaving an extra fob and key with your family or friends.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many nurses, doctors and other professionals have a blood pressure cuff that they carry in their pockets. This is a small device that can be used to open your car after you've locked the keys inside.
Slide a deflated cuff into the gap where the door meets the frame and slowly inflate it until it creates an opening. Do not over-inflate it, or you could damage the door. There should be enough room to insert an iron coat hanger or any other long, thin object that is able to reach the unlock button inside the door.
If you don't have a coat hanger or wire, you can make use of a tubing piece. This is the same method that professionals employ to open their vehicles and make their cars more secure, so you can be certain that it will work!
There are a variety of methods to open a locked vehicle but you should be careful to not cause damage to your vehicle or yourself. Always try the easiest and least damaging methods first. And don't forget that your insurance may provide services to assist you in this kind of scenario! If nothing else works call 911 or contact a towing company. They will charge a small fee, but you'll save time and money in the long run. It's a good thing we have all locked our keys in our vehicles at some moment in time. It's a very common mistake and it usually will not ruin your day so long as you're aware of right tips to get back in! If you have a spare key at home in your house, make sure that it's in the right place to find it. If not, ask a trusted friend or relative to store an additional key for you. To ensure your security, check that you have the keys before pressing the lock. These simple steps will prevent you from being locked out of your car in the future!