Why We Our Love For Locked Keys In Car (And You Should, Too!)
Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
The odds of locking your keys in your car are likely to be more likely than you think. Fortunately, there are a variety of options to get back inside without calling assistance on the road.
You can prevent being locked out of your vehicle by taking preventative measures, such as double-checking the doors prior to locking them and keeping spare keys in designated places.
1. Inflatable Wedge
It can be a very uncomfortable feeling to realize you have locked your keys inside your car. It could send your day into a tailspin and leave you wondering if you'll get home, to the office, or to your next appointment.
There are many methods to get back into your car after losing your keys. You can break the glass by using a coathanger wire that you've turned into a hook or creating a wedge using three or two door stoppers. If you don't have access those materials or if your car has an automatic lock or a key lock, an air pump wedge might be the best option.
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 have an inflatable bag that is slipped between the door and weather stripping of the car to create an opening that can be opened by longer-reaching tools such as rods for unlocking vehicles. These wedges also have the highest quality design and are non-marring to avoid chipping the paint on a car.
There are numerous DIY air wedge kits on the market. Some include the option of a hand pump that you can manually inflate. A top-quality kit will be able form a gap large enough to allow tools to be inserted and unlock a variety of cars using manual locks.
If you don't have an air wedge or another alternative, there's the option to call for roadside assistance or a locksmith in your area, especially if you're not able to find a solution. If you're the only option, make sure that you keep an extra key in a secure place to ensure that you don't have to be concerned about losing it when the time comes to use it. No matter what method you choose, be patient and remember it's fine to be scared when you lock your keys in your car; your life will go with the same ease by following these simple guidelines.
2. Coat Hanger
Wire coat hangers are a typical household item that can be used to unlock a car. The trick is to bend the hook into a small "V" shape that can grip the lock post inside your door and manipulate it to push the lock open. The same method is employed by police officers using a slim Jim, however coat hangers require less fiddling.
Attach G28 in the middle of a long, string or paracord that is stiff. Make use of the slipknot to pull open the car door at the top corner. This will give you enough space to place the rod of a long length for example, a clotheshanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't own an cuff for blood pressure, ask your local drugstore for one. They often include them in their emergency kits.
Unravel the end of your coat hanger and straighten it so that you have a hook and an even edge on both sides. It might be easier to bend a hook into a V-shape if you have pliers. This requires repeating the process a few times until you achieve the desired hook shape. Once you have the right shape, slide it behind the weather stripping on the bottom of the door. Place it in the door above the handle.
Once you have the hanger set in the desired position, move it back and forth to locate the pin or bar that controls the door lock post. Depending on the type of vehicle you drive, it could be above or below your interior door handle. Tap it lightly to see if it is able to 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 pull the handle down and you are in your vehicle! This method is suitable 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 many tools that can be used to unlock your vehicle. You can make use of a long wooden or metal strip that fits through the gap between your car and the door frame, and then press the unlock button from inside. These options are not always available and could scratch the paint on your vehicle. A wedge made of air is another option. It looks like the cuff that you use at the doctor's office and can be pumped in to create a gap large enough to push the unlock button inside. These devices are inexpensive and can be used over and again to unlock your car.
A shoelace is an even more simple tool. To locate the slip knot, first unlace a shoe and look around the middle. 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 tightly and pull upwards. This method can be mastered by practicing for less than 30 second.
If this method isn't working You could try using a slim jim to open your car. A slim jim, which is a thin, flat metal tool with hooks at both ends that sits between the weatherproofing rubber on your car door and window, is the ideal solution. The hooks on a slim jim can be used to open a car's door. However this is a risky method since it requires inserting the tool through the window and could cause damage to the seal.
Plan ahead in case you lose your keys inside the vehicle and have to get it. You can prepare yourself for this situation by signing up for the automaker's service or app or by subscribing to roadside assistance, or leaving keys and a spare fob with friends or family.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many nurses, doctors, and others carry a blood-pressure cuff with them. 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 to make an opening. Don't over-inflate the cuff or you could cause damage to the door. You should have enough space to place a wire hanger or another long thin object that is able to be able to reach inside the door.
If you don't have a hanger for your coat Try a piece tubing or some wire. This is the same method that professionals employ to open their cars and make their cars more secure, so you're sure that it will work!
There are many ways to open a locked vehicle however, you must be careful not to harm your vehicle or yourself. Always go for the simplest and least damaging method first. And don't forget that your insurance may provide services to help you with this kind of scenario! If all else fails you can contact 911 or an auto towing service. They'll charge a modest cost, but you'll save time and money in the end. The good news is that most of us have locked keys in our cars at one point or another. It's not an issue if you are aware of how to gain entry. If you have a spare key in your home, ensure it's where you can find it. If not then ask a trusted friend or relative to store an extra key for you. To be safe, always check that you have the keys before pressing the lock. These easy tips will help prevent you from getting locked out of your car in the future!