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

The odds of locking your keys in your car are likely to be higher than you think. There are a variety of ways to gain access to your car without calling roadside assistance.

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

1. Inflatable Wedge

The feeling that you've locked your keys in your car could be one of the most unpleasant experiences you'll ever have. It can turn your day into chaos and make you wonder how to open a car door without keys you will get home or work, or to your next meeting.

There are many ways to get back into your car after losing your keys. You can break the glass using a wire coathanger which you've shaped into a 'hook' or creating a wedge using three or two door stoppers. If you don't have these items or if your car has an auto lock or air pump, then an air pump wedge might be the best choice.

An air pump wedge is a versatile tool, which is often utilized by professional locksmiths and repo professionals for auto lockout services. They typically have an inflatable bag component that is slipped between the car door and the weather stripping to form an opening that can be reached via longer-reach tools, like car-unlocking rods. These wedges are also designed to be heavy-duty and non-marring, which helps to prevent scratching the paint of your car while also providing a solid solution to get into the vehicle unlocking service that is locked.

For DIYers There are a variety of air wedge kits that are available on the market, including a few which come with a hand pump for manual inflation. A good kit will create a gap big enough to allow tools to be inserted and unlock many cars with manual locks.

If none of the other options work it is possible to call roadside assistance, or a local locksmith, if you don't have a spare lock. If this is the only option you have make sure you keep a spare in a secure location to ensure you don't lose it when you need it. Whatever method you choose do not panic. You can still return to normal by following these guidelines.

2. Coat Hanger

A coat hanger made of wire is a common item in most households and it can be easily used to open a locked car. The trick is to bend the hook into a small "V" shape that can grip the lock post inside your door and manipulate it to push the lock open. The same technique is used by police officers with a slim Jim, but coat hangers require less fiddling.

Make sure you have a long length of stiff string or paracord and tie a slipknot through the middle. Make use of the slipknot to pull open the car door in the upper corner. This will allow you enough room to insert an extended rod like a clothes hanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't have an cuff for blood pressure you can ask your local drugstore for one. They often include them 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. If you have pliers, it might be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape. This will require you to repeat the process several times until you reach the perfect hook shape. Once you've got the right shape you can slide the hook over the weather stripping on the door's bottom. Then insert it into the door just above the handle.

Once you have the hanger in place in the desired position, move it around to locate a pin or bar that is responsible for the door lock post. Depending on the type of vehicle you have it could be either above or below the door's interior handle. Once you find it, tap it lightly to test if it moves. Then, try pulling it upwards or backwards to release the lock.

If the lock post jiggles then you have successfully disconnected the lock. Then you can simply pull the handle down and you are in your vehicle! This method is also applicable to older vehicles with manual locks. Slide the hook in gently to keep from damaging the window or car frame.

3. Shoestring

There are many tools available to get into your car locked quickly. You can make use of a long metal or wood strip that fits through the gap between your car and the door frame to press the unlock button from inside. These options aren't always available and could scratch the paint on your vehicle. An air wedge is a different option. It's shaped like an inflatable cuff that you might find at a doctor's office. It can be placed into the gap until it large enough to push the unlock button. These devices are inexpensive and can be used over and repeatedly to unlock your car.

A shoelace is an even simpler tool. First, unlace the shoes and look in the middle to determine where the slip knot situated. Then, put one end of the shoelace between the corner of your car door and the doorframe, and pull it down through the crack until it is looped around the knob of the lock. Pull tight and up. If you practice this technique, it can be learned in less than 30 seconds.

If this method isn't working You can try using the slim jim to open your car. A slim jim is a flat thin metal tool that has hooks on both ends. It fits into the space between the weatherproofing rubber on your car's door and the window. The hooks on a slim jim could be used to open the door of a car. However this method is dangerous since it requires insertion of the tool through the window, and could cause damage to the seal.

It is important to be prepared for the eventuality where you might leave keys in your car and have to get into it. There are a number of ways to prepare for this situation 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 your family or friends.

4. Blood Pressure Cuff

Many nurses, doctors and other professionals have a blood pressure cuff in their bag. Even if you don't have one, this is an inexpensive device that can help save the day when you lock your keys in the car.

Place a deflated hand into the gap between the door and the frame. Slowly inflate the wrist to create an opening. Do not over-inflate it, or you could damage the door. There should be enough space to place an iron coat hanger or another long, thin object that could reach the unlock button within the door.

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

There are a variety of methods to unlock a i locked my car keys in my car (information from Krotcinus) car but you should be cautious not to damage your car or injure yourself. Always try the easiest and least damaging method first. And don't forget that your insurance may cover services to assist you in this type of situation! If all else fails call 911 or contact a towing company. They'll charge a modest cost, but you'll save time and money in the end. It's a good thing that we have all locked our keys inside our vehicles at some time or another. It's not a big deal if you are aware of how to gain entry. If you have an additional key in your home, make sure you know where it is. If you don't have a trusted person or relative to store an additional key for you. To be safe, always check that you have the keys before pressing the lock. These easy tips will help prevent you from being locked out of your car in the future!