Why We Enjoy Locked Keys In Car (And You Should, Too!) 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 inside your car. There are many ways to get back inside without calling assistance on the road.

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


1. Inflatable Wedge

It can be a very uncomfortable feeling to realize you have locked your keys inside your car. It could send your entire day into a tizzy and leave you wondering if you'll ever get home, to the office, or to your next appointment.

There are several methods to get back into your car if you've lost your keys. You can break the glass by using a coathanger wire that you have shaped into a 'hook' or creating a wedge using three or two door stoppers. If you don't have access to the materials mentioned above or if your vehicle is equipped with an automatic lock or a key lock, an air pump wedge may be the best option.

An air pump wedge is a versatile tool used by professional locksmiths and repo professionals to provide auto lockout services. These tools typically feature an inflatable bag component that slips between the car door and the weather stripping to form an opening that is accessible by longer-reach tools, such as car unlocking rods. These wedges also have the highest quality design and are non-marring to prevent chipping of the paint on the exterior of a car.

For car opening service who are DIY-ers, there are many air wedge kits that are available on the market, with some that come with a handy hand pump to allow manual inflation. A high-quality kit will create an opening large enough to allow tools to be inserted and open many vehicles with manual locks.

If nothing else works, you can always call roadside assistance, or a local lock-smith, if you do not have a spare key. If this is the only option, make sure that you keep your spare key in a safe place so that you don't need to worry about losing it when the time comes to make use of it. Whatever method you select, don't panic. You can still get your life back to normal by following these guidelines.

2. Coat Hanger

Wire coat hangers are a common household item that can be used to open a car. The trick is to bend the hook into a small V shape so that it can grab the lock post in your door. Then, you can manipulate the hook to pop the lock. This is the same technique police officers employ with a slim jim. However, using a coat hanger requires less finagling.

Choose a long piece of paracord or string that is stiff and tie a slipknot through the middle. Make use of the slipknot to pull open the car door at the top corner. This allows you to have enough room to insert a long rod like a clothes hanger or a blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood pressure cuff, check at your local discount or drugstore as they often have one in their emergency kits.

Unravel the end of your coat hanger and straighten it until you have a hook as well as an even edge on both sides. It is possible to bend a hook into a V-shape, especially if you have pliers. You'll need to repeat this process a few times to achieve the ideal hook shape. Once you have the right shape, slide it behind the weather stripping at the bottom of the door. Insert it into the door, above the handle.

Once the hanger is set then move it around to locate the pin or bar that controls the door lock post. Depending on the type of vehicle you have it could be either above or below the door's interior handle. Tap lightly on it to see if it is able to move it. You can also try to move it upwards or backwards to release the lock.

You have successfully removed your lock if the lock post jiggles. You can then pull the handle down and you're in your vehicle! This method is also applicable to older vehicles that have manual locks. Be careful not to damage your window or the car frame by slipping the hook too hard.

3. Shoestring

There are many tools to gain access to your locked car quickly. You can use a lengthy metal or wood strip that fits into the gap between the car and the door frame to press the unlock button from inside. However, these options are not always easy to locate and can scratch the paint of your vehicle. An air wedge is another alternative. It resembles the cuff that you utilize at a doctor's appointment and can be pumped in to create a gap enough to push the unlock button inside. These devices are inexpensive and can be used repeatedly and repeatedly to unlock your car.

A much more simple tool to use is the shoelace. To locate the slip knot, you must first unlace your shoe and examine the middle. Then, place one end of the shoelace between the corner of your car door and the door frame and pull it down through the crack until it wraps around the lock's pull knob. Make sure you pull the lock tightly and upwards. This technique can be mastered with practice in less than 30 seconds.

If this method doesn't work, you can try using a slim Jim to unlock your vehicle. A slim jim 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's door and the window. A person can maneuver the hooks of a slim jim to open the car door, however this technique is a bit 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.

It is essential to plan ahead for situations when you're tempted to leave keys in your car and need to get into it. There are several ways you can prepare for this problem before it occurs, such as signing up for an automaker's application or service, registering for roadside assistance, or even 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 bag. This is a cheap device that can be used to open your car after locking 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. Be careful not to over-inflate or you risk damaging the door. There should be enough room to insert an electrical wire hanger or other long, thin object that can be able to reach inside the door.

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

There are many tricks to gain entry into a locked vehicle, but you have be cautious not to do anything that could damage your vehicle or hurt yourself. Be sure to use the most simple and most secure method first. Your insurance company may also cover these services! If nothing else works, you can call 911 or an auto towing service. They will charge a small fee, but you'll be saving time and money in the end. It's a good thing that we have all locked our keys inside our cars at some moment in time. It's not a big deal when you know how to enter. If you have an extra key in your home, make sure you are aware of where it is. Request a family member or friend who you trust to store an extra key for you in case you don't have one. Also, make a habit of checking that you have your keys before you press the lock button and never lock your car with the remote, just to be sure. These simple tips will keep you from getting locked out of your car in the future!