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

It's more likely than you think you'll lock your keys in your car. There are a variety of ways to gain entry into your car without calling roadside assistance.

By taking precautionary measures, like always double-checking the locks before locking the doors and keeping spare keys in designated locations to avoid being locked out of your car completely!

1. Inflatable Wedge

The feeling of locking your keys in your car could be one of the most unpleasant experiences you'll ever have. It can send your day into a tailspin and leave you wondering if you'll ever get back home, to the office, or to your next appointment.

There are several options for getting back into your vehicle when you've locked your keys in it. Utilizing a coat hanger that you've made into a hook or constructing a wedge out of two or three door stops can allow you to break through the glass and unlock your door. If you don't have access to those materials or if your vehicle has an automatic lock using an air pump wedge might be the best option.

Air pump wedges are a nifty tool used by locksmiths as well as repo experts to help with auto lockouts. They typically come with an inflatable bag that is slipped between the door and the weather stripping of the car to create a gap that can be opened with longer-reaching tools, such as rods for unlocking cars. These wedges are also made of the highest quality design and are non-marring, which helps to prevent chipping of the paint on the exterior of a car.

There are numerous DIY air wedge kits on the market. Some come with an electric pump that can be used to manually inflate. A top-quality kit will be able to create an opening between the jamb and the door sufficient to allow for the installation of access tools and allow the unlocking of the majority of cars that have manual locks.

If none of the other options work 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, 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 you need to utilize it. Regardless of the method you decide to use, be patient and remember that it's okay to be scared when you lock your keys in your car; your life can still go in the normal way by following these simple guidelines.

2. Coat Hanger

Wire coat hangers are a standard household item that can be used to open a car. The trick is to bend your hook into a small V in order to grasp the lock post in your door. Then, you can move the hook to unlock the lock. The same method is employed by police officers using a slim Jim, but a coathanger requires less finagling.

Tie a slipknot at the middle of a long piece stiff string or paracord. Use the slipknot on the top corner of the car door to pry it open. This allows you to have enough room to place a rod, such as 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 as they often have one in their emergency kits.

Unravel the end of your coat hanger and straighten it to ensure that you have a hook as well as an edge that is straight on both sides. If you have pliers, it might be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape. You'll need to do this several times to get the right hook shape. Once you've found the perfect shape you can slide the hook over the weather stripping on the door's bottom. Place it in the door just above the handle.

Once the hanger is set, move it around to locate the pin or bar controlling the door lock post. Depending on the vehicle you drive, it may be located either above or below the interior door handle. Once you find it, tap on it lightly to test whether it moves. Then, try pulling it upwards or backward to disengage the lock.

If the lock's post shakes then you have successfully disconnected the lock. Then, pull the handle backwards and you're in your vehicle! This method also works on older vehicles that have manual locks. Use the hook gently to ensure that it doesn't damage the frame of the car or window.

3. Shoestring

There are many tools to gain access to your car locked quickly. You can use a lengthy wooden or metal strip that fits into the gap between your car and the door frame, and then press the unlock button from the inside. However, these options are not always readily available and could scratch the paint on your vehicle. An air wedge is another option. It resembles an inflatable cuff that you might find at an office of a doctor. It can be put into the gap until it sufficient to push the unlock button. These devices aren't expensive and can be used again and repeatedly to unlock your vehicle.

An even more simple tool to make use of is a shoelace. First, take off your shoes and eyeball around the middle to determine where the slip knot located. Then, put one end of the shoelace between the corner of your car's door and the doorframe and pull it down through the crack until it loops around the knob on the lock. Pull tightly and up. With practice, this method can be mastered in less than 30 seconds.

If this method doesn't work If this doesn't work, you can try using a slim jim to open your car. A slim jim is a flat, thin metal tool with hooks at both ends that fit into the space between the weatherproofing rubber of your car door and the window. One can use the hooks of a slim jim to open a car door, but this technique is a bit risky because it requires inserting the device through the glass of the window and could damage the door's seal.

It is essential to plan ahead for situations when you're tempted to leave your keys in a vehicle and have to access it. There are many ways to prepare for this situation prior to it happening by signing up for an automaker's application or service, signing up for roadside assistance, or even 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 bag. Even if you don't, this is a low-cost device that could to save the day if you lock keys in car.

Place a deflated hand into the gap between the frame and the door. Slowly inflate the wrist until it forms a hole. Be careful not to over-inflate the air cuff, or you could cause damage to the door. You should have enough space to insert a wire hanger or a long, thin object that can penetrate the door.

If you don't have a coat hanger you can try a piece of tubing or wire. This is a trick professionals employ to open their automobiles, so it's bound to work!

There are many ways to open a locked vehicle, but you must be careful to not damage your car or injure yourself. Always use the most simple and least damaging method first. Your insurance company may also cover these services! If all else fails, call 911 or a towing company. They will charge a small cost, but you'll save time and money in the long run. It's a good thing we've all locked our keys in our cars at some point. It's not an issue when you know how to get in. If you have an extra key at your home, ensure you know where it is. If you don't, ask a trusted friend or relative to keep an extra key for you. Also, make a habit of checking that you have your keys before you press the lock button. Never lock your car using the remote, simply to ensure your security. These tips will ensure that you are not locked out of your car in the future.