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 likely to be greater than you imagine. There are many options to get back inside without calling for roadside assistance.

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

1. Inflatable Wedge

It's a uncomfortable feeling to realize you have locked your keys in the car. It can throw your day into chaos and make you think about how you'll get home, to work or to your next meeting.

There are a variety of ways to get back in your car if you've lost your keys. Utilizing a coat hanger made of wire which you've turned into a hook or making a wedge out of three or two door stops can help break through the glass to open your door. If you don't own these items or if your vehicle is equipped with an auto lock, then an air pump wedge may be the best solution.

Air pump wedges are a versatile tool used by locksmiths and repo experts to help with auto lockouts. They typically come with an inflatable bag that is slipped between the door and weather stripping of the car to create gaps that can be accessed by longer-reaching tools like rods for unlocking vehicles. These wedges are also designed to be heavy-duty and non-marring, which aids to prevent damaging the paint on your car, while providing a sturdy solution to get into the vehicle that is locked.

There are numerous DIY air wedge kits available on the market. Some include the option of a hand pump that you can manually inflate. A top-quality kit should be able form a gap between the door and the jamb which is large enough to accommodate access tools and allow the unlocking of the majority of cars that have manual locks.

For those who don't have an air wedge or another alternative, there's always the option of calling for roadside assistance or a locksmith in your area in the event that there is nothing else that works. If this is the only option you have, keep a spare in a safe location so you won't lose it when you need it. No matter what method you choose, remain patient and remember that it's ok to panic when you lock your keys in your car; your life will continue in the normal way by following these simple tips.

2. Coat Hanger

A wire coat hanger is a standard item in many households and can be used to open a locked car. The trick is to bend your hook into a small V shape in order to grasp the lock post on your door. You then use the hook to open the lock. This is the same technique police officers use with a slim jim. However, using a coat hanger requires less effort.

Make a slipknot in middle of a long, string or paracord that is stiff. Use the slipknot to push open the car door towards the top corner. 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 an artery pressure cuff, look at your local drugstore or discount store and they usually have one in their emergency kits.

Unravel the coat hanger's end and straighten it so that you have a hook as well as a straight edge on both sides. It is possible to bend the hook into a V-shape, especially if you have pliers. You will need to do this several times to achieve the ideal hook shape. Once you've gotten the correct shape then slide the hook through the weather stripping that is on the lower part of the door. Insert it into the door just 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 your vehicle, it may be located either above or below the door's interior handle. If you locate it, tap it lightly to check if it moves. Then try pulling it up or backward to disengage the lock.

If the lock post moves then you have successfully disconnected the lock. You can then pull the handle backwards and you're in your vehicle! This method works on older vehicles that have manual locks. Just be careful not to damage your window or the car frame by sliding the hook in too hard.

3. Shoestring

There are a variety of tools that can be used to swiftly unlock your car. You can use a long wooden or metal strip that fits through the gap between the car and the door frame to press the unlock button from inside. These options are not always available and can scratch your vehicle's paint. An air wedge is another alternative. It resembles an inflatable cuff that you might find at an office of a doctor. It can be put into the gap to make it enough to push the unlock button. These devices aren't expensive and can be used again and again to unlock your car key lock out.

A shoelace is a more simple tool. First, unlace your shoes and eyeball around the middle to find where the slip knot situated. Place one end of your shoelace between the doorframe and the corner of your car. Work it through the crack to tie around the knob of your lock. Make sure you pull the lock hard and upwards. This technique can be mastered by practicing for less than 30 second.

If this method doesn't work If this doesn't work, you can try using the slim jim to open your car. A slim jam is a flat thin piece of metal that has hooks at both ends that fit into the space between the weatherproofing rubber of your car keys locked in car's door and the window. A person can maneuver the hooks of a slim jim in order to open a car door (by Blogbright), but this method is somewhat risky because it requires the device to be inserted through the glass of the window and could cause damage to the seal of the door.

Plan ahead in case you lose your keys inside a vehicle and need to get it. You can prepare yourself for this situation by signing up to the automaker's app or service or by subscribing to roadside assistance or leaving keys and a spare fob with friends or family.

4. Blood Pressure Cuff

Many doctors, nurses and other staff members carry a blood-pressure cuff them. This is a small device that can be used to unlock your car after you've locked the keys inside.

Insert a cuff that has been deflated into the gap where the door joins the frame. Slowly inflate it to create an opening. Don't over-inflate the cuff or you could damage the door. There should be enough room to fit a coat hanger made of wire or another long, thin object that is able to reach the unlock button within the door.

If you don't have a coat hanger Try a piece tubing or some wire. This is a trick professionals use to open cars, so it should work!

There are a variety of ways to get into a locked vehicle, but you have to be careful not to do anything that might harm your vehicle or yourself. Always try the simplest and least damaging method first. Your insurance policy may also cover these services! If nothing else works call 911 or a towing service. They will charge a small fee, but you'll be saving time and money in the long run. It's a good thing we have all locked our keys inside our automobiles at some time or another. It's not an issue if you know how to enter. If you have an additional key in your home, ensure you know where it is. If not have a trusted person or relative to store an extra key for you. To ensure your security, ensure that you have keys before you press the lock. These simple steps can help prevent you from being locked out of your car in the future.