Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance

The chances of locking your keys inside your car are probably much more likely than you think. There are several ways to get inside your car without calling roadside assistance.

You can avoid being locked out of your car by taking preventative measures, such as double-checking the doors before locking them and storing spare keys in designated places.

1. Inflatable Wedge

The feeling of having locked your keys in the car can be among the worst things to experience. It can throw your entire day into chaos and make you think about how you'll get home, to work or to your next event.

There are several ways to get back in your car if you've lost your keys. You can break the glass by using a wire coathanger which you've shaped into a 'hook' or making a wedge from two or three door stoppers. If you don't have access the materials mentioned above or if your vehicle is equipped with an automatic lock using an air pump wedge could be the best option.

Air pump wedges are an incredibly versatile tool that locksmiths and repo experts for auto lockouts. They typically have an inflatable bag component that slides between the car door and the weather stripping to form an opening that can be reached with longer-reaching tools, such as car door open-unlocking rods. These wedges are also made of the highest quality design and are non-marring, which helps to prevent chipping of the paint on a car.

There are numerous DIY air wedge kits on the market. Some come with the option of a hand pump that you can manually inflate. A high-quality kit should be able form a gap between the jamb and the door sufficient to allow for the installation of access tools and allow the unlocking of most vehicles with manual locks.

If all else fails it is possible to call roadside assistance or a local locksmith, if you do not have a spare key. If you're the only option, ensure that you keep your spare key in a secure location so that you don't have to worry about losing it when you need to make use of it. No matter what method you select do not panic. You can still get your life back to normal by following these tips.

2. Coat Hanger

Wire coat hangers are a common household item that can be used to open a car. The trick is to bend your hook into a small V shape to allow it to grab the lock post on your door. Then, you can manipulate the hook to pop the lock. Similar techniques are used by police officers with a slim Jim, however coat hangers require less fiddling.

Make sure you have a long length of paracord or string that is stiff and tie a slipknot in the middle. Use the slipknot on the top corner of the car door to pry it open. This allows you to have enough room to insert a long rod, like hanger for clothes or a blood pressure cuff. If you don't have an artery pressure cuff, check at your local drugstore or discount store; they often include one in their emergency kits.

Unravel the end of your coat hanger, then straighten it out so that you have an opening on one side and a straight side on the other. If you have pliers, it may be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape. This will require you to repeat the process several times before you get the perfect hook shape. Once you've got the right shape you can slide the hook over the weather stripping that is on the door's bottom. Insert it into the door just above the handle.

Once the hanger is set and it is in place, move it around until you locate the pin or bar controlling the door lock post. Depending on the vehicle you drive, it could be either above or G28 below your interior G28 door handle. Once you find it, tap on it lightly to test if it moves. Then, try pulling it upwards or backwards to detach the lock.

If the lock's post shakes, you have successfully disengaged the lock. Then you can simply pull the handle down and you are in your vehicle! This method works on older vehicles that have manual locks. Be careful not to scratch your window or the car frame by slipping the hook too far.

3. Shoestring

There are several tools that can be used to swiftly unlock your car. You can use a lengthy wooden or metal strip that can fit through the gap between the car and the door frame to push the unlock button from inside. These options aren't always available and could scratch your vehicle's paint. An air wedge is a different option. It resembles an inflatable cuff that you may find in an office of a doctor. It can be pumped into the gap to make it enough to push the unlock button. These devices are relatively inexpensive and can be used multiple times, if needed, to unlock your vehicle.

A shoelace is a simpler tool. To find the slip knot, first unlace your shoe and look around the middle. Then, you can place one end of the shoelace between the corner of your car's door and the door frame and work it down through the crack until it wraps around the lock's pull knob. Pull it tight and upwards. With practice, this method can be learned in less than 30 seconds.

If this method doesn't work If this doesn't work, you might try using slim jims to open your car. A slim jim is a flat thin piece of metal that has hooks on both ends and fits into the space between the weatherproofing rubber of your car's door and the window. The hooks on a slim jim may be used to open the car's door. However this method is dangerous because it requires inserting the tool through the window and could damage the seal.

It is important to plan ahead for situations in which you'll need to leave keys in your car and need to access it. There are many ways you can prepare yourself for this scenario before it happens like signing up for an automaker's app or service, signing up for roadside assistance, or leaving a spare key and fob with friends or family members.

4. Blood Pressure Cuff

Many doctors, nurses and other professionals have a blood pressure cuff in their bags. Even if not, this is a low-cost device that can help to save the day if you lock your keys in your car.

Place a deflated cuff in the gap where the door meets the frame. Slowly inflate it to create an opening. Do not over-inflate it, or you could damage the door. You should have enough room to put in an electrical wire hanger or other long thin object that is able to penetrate the door.

If you don't have a hanger for your coat Try a piece tubing or wire. This is the same trick that professionals employ to unlock their cars, so you can be certain that it will work!

There are many ways to unlock a locked car but you should be careful to not cause damage to your vehicle or yourself. Always take the simplest and least damaging method first. Your auto insurance may also cover these services! If nothing else works you can contact 911 or use an auto towing service. There will be a small fee but you'll save money and time in the end. It's a good thing that we've all locked our keys inside our cars at some moment in time. It's not a huge issue when you know how to get in. If you have an extra key at your home, ensure you are aware of where it is. If not have a trusted person or family member to keep an extra key for you. To ensure your security, ensure that you have keys before you press the lock. These simple tips will keep you from being locked out of your car in the future!