7 Things About Locked Keys In Car You'll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing

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 your keys back without calling for assistance on the road. By taking preventative measures, such as always double-checking before locking the doors and storing spare keys in designated locations you can ensure that you don't get locked out of your car completely! 1. Inflatable Wedge It can be a very uncomfortable feeling to realize you've locked your keys in the car. It can throw your day into a tailspin and leave you wondering if you'll ever get back home or to work or to your next appointment. Fortunately, there are several options to get back into your vehicle after locking your keys inside the car. Utilizing a coat hanger that you've shaped into a hook or making an elongated wedge from two or three door stops can help break through the glass and open your door. If you don't have access the materials mentioned above or if your vehicle is equipped with an automatic lock or a key lock, an air pump wedge might be the ideal solution. Air pump wedges are a versatile tool used by locksmiths and repo experts to help with auto lockouts. These tools typically have an inflatable bag that slips between the door and the weather stripping of the car to create gaps that can be opened with more extended tools, like car unlocking rods. These wedges are made to be strong and non-marring, which aids to prevent scratching the paint of your car while providing a strong solution for getting into a locked vehicle. For those who are DIY-ers There are a variety of air wedge kits that are available on the market, with some that include a hand pump for manual inflation. A high-quality kit will be able to create a gap between the jamb and the door sufficient to allow for the installation of access tools and allow the unlocking of most cars with manual locks. If you don't have an air wedge or another option, there is always the option of calling for roadside assistance or a locksmith in your area particularly if you're not able to find a solution. If this is the only option available make sure you keep a spare in a safe location so you won't lose it when you need it. No matter what method you choose do not panic. You can get your life back to normal by following these guidelines. 2. Coat Hanger Wire coat hangers are a typical household item that can be used to unlock the car. The trick is to bend the hook into a small ā€œVā€ shape that can grip the lock post inside your door, and then move it to open the lock. open. This is the same method police officers use with a slim jim. However, using a coat hanger requires less effort. Choose a long piece of paracord or string that is stiff and tie a slipknot through the middle. Apply the slipknot to the top of the car door to pry it open. This will give you enough space to insert the rod of a long length, such as a clotheshanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood pressure cuff look at your local discount or drugstore; they often include one in their emergency kits. Unravel the top of your coat hanger, then straighten it so that you have an opening on one side and a straight side on the other. It may be easier to bend a hook into a V-shape if you have pliers. You'll need to do this several times to get the right hook shape. Once you've found the perfect shape then slide the hook through the weather stripping on the lower part of the door. Then, slide it into the door, just above the handle. Once the hanger is set 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 it could be just above or below the interior door handle. If you locate it, tap on it lightly to check whether it moves. Then try pulling it up or backward to disengage the lock. If the lock post jiggles it means you have successfully disengaged the lock. Then you can simply pull the handle back and you're back in your vehicle! This method works for older vehicles with manual locks. Use the hook gently to ensure that it doesn't damage the frame of the car or window. 3. Shoestring There are a number of tools available to get into your car locked quickly. You can make use of an extended rod, such as a wooden or metal strip that can be inserted into the gap between the door frame and the car, and then press down the unlock button on the inside. However, these options are not always easy to find and may scratch the paint on your vehicle. An air wedge is a different alternative. It's similar to the inflatable cuff you might utilize at a doctor's appointment and can be pumped in to create a space large enough to press the unlock button inside. These devices are relatively inexpensive and can be used repeatedly, if needed, to unlock your vehicle. A shoelace is an even simpler tool. First, take off a pair of shoes and eyeball around the middle to determine where the slip knot situated. Set one end of the shoelace between the corner and the doorframe of your car. Work it through the crack until it forms a loop around the lock's knob. Make sure you pull the lock tight and up. If you practice this technique, it can be learned in less than 30 seconds. If this method doesn't work, you could try a slim Jim to open your vehicle. A slim jim is a thin, flat metal tool with hooks on both ends that fits between the weatherproofing rubber on your car's door and window, is the ideal solution. A person can maneuver the hooks of a slim jim in order to open the car door, however this technique is a bit risky since it requires insertion of the device through the window glass and could cause damage to the door's seal. Prepare for the possibility that you forget your keys in the vehicle and have to get it. You can prepare yourself for this scenario by signing up for the automaker's service or app and registering for roadside assistance, or leaving keys and a spare fob with family or friends. 4. Blood Pressure Cuff Many nurses, doctors and other staff members carry a blood pressure cuff along with them. Even if you don't, this is an inexpensive device that could to save the day if you lock your keys in the car. Place unlock car keys deflated hand into the gap between the frame and the door. Slowly inflate the wrist until it forms a hole. Do not over-inflate it, or you could damage the door. There should be enough room to put in a wire hanger or another long thin object that is able to be able to reach inside the door. If you don't own a coat hanger or wire, you can make use of a tubing piece. This is a trick that professionals use to open cars, so it's likely to work! There are a myriad of ways to get into a locked car, but you need be cautious not to do anything that could harm your vehicle or yourself. Remember to always use the most simple and least damaging method first. Your auto insurance might also cover these services! If nothing else works, you can call 911 or use an auto towing service. They'll charge a modest fee, but you'll be saving time and money in the long run. It's good to know that we have all locked our keys inside our cars at some time or another. It's not an issue if you are aware of how to gain entry. If you have an extra key in your house, make sure that you have it in a place where you can access it. You can ask a relative or friend who you trust to keep a spare key for you in case you don't have one. To ensure your security, make sure you have the keys before you press the lock. These easy tips will help prevent you from getting locked out of your car in the future!