Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
It's more likely than you think that you will lock your keys in your car. There are many ways to gain entry into your car without having to call roadside assistance.
You can avoid being locked out of your car by taking preventative measures like checking the doors twice before locking them, and keeping spare keys in designated locations.
1. Inflatable Wedge
The feeling of locking your keys in the car be one of the worst experiences you'll ever have. It could send your entire day into a tizzy and leave you wondering if you'll get home, to the office, or to your next appointment.
There are a number of methods to get back into your vehicle after locking your keys in it. Utilizing a coat hanger made of wire which you've turned into a hook or constructing a wedge out of three or two door stops can help break through the glass and open your door. If you don't have these items or your vehicle is equipped with an auto lock or air pump, then an air pump wedge may be the best option.
Air pump wedges are an incredibly versatile tool used by locksmiths and repo experts to help with auto lockouts. These tools usually feature an inflatable bag that is slipped between the door and weather stripping of the car to create gaps which can be reached with longer-reaching tools, such as rods for unlocking vehicles. 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.
For DIYers There are a variety of air wedge kits that are available on the market, including a few that include a hand pump for manual inflation. A good kit should be able form a gap between the jamb and the door that's large enough to insert access tools and allow the unlocking of most vehicles with manual locks.
If nothing else works it is possible to call roadside assistance or a local locksmith in the event that you don't have a spare lock. If this is the only option you have you should keep a spare key in a secure location to ensure you don't lose it when you need it. Whatever method you select, don't panic. You can get your life back to normal by following these easy tips.
2. Coat Hanger
A coat hanger made of wire is a standard item in the majority of households. It can be easily used to unlock a locked vehicle. The trick is to bend the hook into a small "V" shape that will hold the lock post inside your door and manipulate it to push the lock open. Similar techniques are used by police officers using a slim Jim, but a coathanger requires less finagling.
Make sure you have a long length of paracord or string that is stiff and tie a slipknot through the middle. Make click through the up coming internet page of the slipknot to pull open the car door towards the top corner. This will give you enough room to insert the rod of a long length like a clothes hanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood pressure cuff, check at your local discount or drugstore; they often include one in their emergency kits.
Unravel the coat hanger's end and straighten it to ensure that you have a hook and a straight edge on both sides. If you have pliers, it could be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape. This requires repeating the process a few times until you get the ideal hook shape. Once you've got the right shape, slide the hook behind the weather stripping that is on the bottom of the doors. Insert it into the door, above the handle.
Once you have the hanger positioned on the wall, you can move it back and forth to find a pin or a bar that is responsible for the door lock post. Depending on your vehicle, you may find it just below or above the door handle on your interior. Tap lightly on it to see if you can move it. You can also try to pull it up or backwards to release the lock.
If the lock post jiggles, you have successfully disengaged the lock. Then, you can lower the handle and you're back in your car! This method is suitable for older vehicles that have manual locks. Just be careful not to scratch your window or car frame by sliding the hook too far.
3. Shoestring
There are many tools that can help you get into your car that is locked. You can make use of a long wood or metal strip that can fit through the gap between your car and the door frame to push the unlock button from the inside. However these options aren't always readily available and could scratch the paint of your vehicle. Another alternative is an air wedge. It looks like an inflatable cuff that you may find in the doctor's office. It can be pumped into the gap until it sufficient to push the unlock button. These devices are relatively inexpensive and can be used multiple times when needed to unlock your car.
An even more simple tool to make use of is the shoelace. To locate the slip knot, first unlace your shoe and look around the middle. Then, place one end of the shoelace between the corner of your car's door and the door frame and move it through the crack until it wraps around the knob on the lock. Pull the knob tightly and pull upwards. This method can be mastered through practice in less than 30 seconds.
If this method doesn't work, you can use a slim Jim to open your vehicle. A slim jim, a thin, flat metal tool with hooks at both ends that sits between the weatherproofing rubber of your car door and window, is the perfect solution. A person can maneuver the hooks of a slim jim in order to open a car door, but this technique is a bit risky since it requires the device to be inserted through the window's glass and could cause damage to the door's seal.
Prepare for the possibility that you leave your keys inside the vehicle and have to enter it. There are a number of ways to prepare for this situation before it occurs, such as signing up for an automaker's application or service, subscribing to roadside assistance, or even leaving keys and fobs with friends or family members.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals carry a blood pressure cuff in their bags. Even if you don't, this is an inexpensive device that can help save the day when you lock keys in car.
Place a deflated cuff in the gap where the door joins the frame, and slowly inflate it until it creates an opening. Be careful not to over-inflate the air cuff, or you could harm the door. You should have enough space to insert a wire hanger or a long, thin object that can be able to reach inside the door.
If you don't own a coat hanger or wire, you could make use of a tubing piece. This is the same trick that professionals employ to open their vehicles and make their cars more secure, so you can be sure that it will work!
There are many methods to open a locked vehicle however, you must be careful to not cause damage to your vehicle or yourself. Always use the easiest and least damaging techniques first. And don't forget that your insurance might cover services to assist you in this kind of scenario! If nothing else works you can contact 911 or use an auto towing service. You'll be charged for a small amount, but you will save time and money in the end. It's good to know that we have all locked our keys in our vehicles at some point. It's a very common mistake and usually doesn't ruin your day as long as you're aware of right tips to get your keys back! If you have an extra key in your home, ensure you know where it is. If not, ask a trusted friend or family member to keep an additional key for you. Also, be sure to make a habit of checking that you have your keys before you press the lock button. Never lock your car using the remote, just to be sure. These simple tips will keep you from being locked out of your car in the future!