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 lock your keys in your car. Luckily, there are multiple ways to get your keys back without calling for roadside assistance.

You can avoid being locked out of your car by taking preventative measures like double-checking the doors prior to locking them and keeping spare keys in designated places.

1. Inflatable Wedge

The feeling of having locked your keys in the car can be one of the most unpleasant experiences you'll ever have. It can throw your entire day into a tizzy and leave you wondering if you'll ever get home, to the office, or to your next appointment.

Fortunately, there are a number of methods to gain access back to your vehicle when you've locked your keys in the vehicle. Utilizing a coat hanger that you've shaped into a hook or making a wedge out of three or two door stops can allow you to break through the glass and open your door. If you don't own these items or if your vehicle is equipped with an auto lock or air pump, then an air pump wedge may be the best solution.

Air pump wedges are a versatile tool that locksmiths and repo experts to help with auto automotive lockouts. These tools typically have an inflatable bag that slides between the door and the weather stripping of the car to create a gap that can be opened with more extended tools, like rods for unlocking cars. These wedges are made to be strong and non-marring, which aids to prevent scratching the paint of your car opening service while also providing a solid solution to gain access to the locked vehicle.

For DIYers, there are many air wedge kits available for purchase on the market, including some which come with a hand pump that can be used to manually inflate. A top-quality kit will be able form a gap big enough to insert tools and unlock a variety of cars using manual locks.

For those who do not have an air wedge or another option, there is always the option of calling for roadside assistance or a local locksmith particularly if nothing else works. If this is the only option you have you should keep a spare key in a safe location so you won't lose it if you need it. No matter what method you choose, remain patient and remember it's fine to be scared when you lock your keys in your car; your life will continue in the normal way if you follow these simple tips.

2. Coat Hanger

A coat hanger made of wire is a standard item in most households and it can be easily used to unlock a locked car; information from Hubstack,. 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 move the hook to unlock the lock. The same technique is used by police officers using a slim Jim, however coat hangers require less fiddling.

Tie a slipknot at the middle of a long, string or paracord that is stiff. Use the slipknot to pry open the door of your car towards the top corner. This will allow you enough space to place a long rod for example, a clotheshanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't have an artery pressure cuff, visit your local drugstore or discount store and they usually have one in their emergency kits.

Unravel the top of your coat hanger and straighten it so that you have a hook on one end and a straight one on the other. If you have pliers, it may be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape. It is necessary to repeat this process a few times to get the right hook shape. Once you've found the perfect shape then slide the hook through the weather stripping that is on the door's bottom. Place it in the door above the handle.

Once the hanger is in place then move it around to find the pin or bar that controls the door lock post. Depending on the type of vehicle you might find it either above or below your interior door handle. Tap lightly on it to see if you can move it. You can also try to pull it up or backwards in order to deactivate the lock.

You have successfully disengaged your lock if the lock post jiggles. You can then pull the handle backwards and you're inside your vehicle! This method works on older vehicles with manual locks. Just be careful not to scratch your window or the car frame by sliding the hook too hard.

3. Shoestring

There are many tools that can help you get into your locked car quickly. You can use a lengthy wood or metal strip that can fit through the gap between your car and the door frame, and then press the unlock button from inside. However these options aren't always easy to find and may scratch the paint of your car. A wedge made of air is another alternative. It's shaped like an inflatable cuff that you may find in an office of a doctor. It can be placed into the gap to make it sufficient to push the unlock button. These devices are inexpensive and can be used again and repeatedly to unlock keys in car your vehicle.

A more simple tool to utilize is the shoelace. To find the slip knot, you must first unlace your shoe and examine the middle. Place one end of your 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. This technique can be learned by practicing for less than 30 second.

If this method isn't working, you might try using the slim jim to open your car. A slim jim, a small, flat metal tool with hooks on both ends that fit 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 door of a car, but this method is somewhat risky as it requires the device to be inserted through the glass of the window and could cause damage to the seal of the door.

Prepare for the possibility that you leave your keys inside your vehicle and require to get it. There are several ways to prepare for this problem before it happens by signing up for an automaker's app or service, subscribing to roadside assistance, or leaving keys and fobs with family members or friends.

4. Blood Pressure Cuff

Many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals carry a blood pressure cuff in their bags. It's a simple device that can be used to unlock your car after you've locked the keys inside.

Insert a deflated arm into the gap between the frame and the door. Slowly inflate the wrist until it forms an opening. Do not over-inflate it, or you could damage the door. You should have enough room to put in a wire hanger or a long, thin object that can be able to reach inside the door.

If you don't have a coat hanger, try a piece of tubing or some wire. This is the same method used by professionals to unlock their cars and you can be sure it will work!

There are a variety of methods to unlock a locked car but you should be cautious not to harm your vehicle or yourself. Remember to always use the most simple and least damaging method first. Your auto insurance could also cover these types of services! If all else fails, call 911 or a towing company. You'll be charged a small fee but you will save money and time in the end. It's a good thing that we have all locked our keys in our vehicles at some moment in time. It's not a huge issue if you know how to get in. If you have an additional key in your home, ensure you know where it is. Request a family member or friend who you trust to store keys for you in case you don't have one. To ensure your safety, always 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!