If You've Just Purchased Locked Keys In Car ... Now What?
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 higher than you think. Luckily, there are multiple options to get back inside without calling for assistance on the road.
By taking precautionary measures, like always double-checking locks before locking doors and keeping spare keys in designated locations, you can avoid getting locked out of your car completely!
1. Inflatable Wedge
The feeling of locking your keys in the car be among the worst experiences you'll ever have. It can turn your day into chaos and make you think about how you'll get home to work or to your next appointment.
There are several options to gain access back to your vehicle when you've locked your keys in the vehicle. You can break the glass by using a coathanger made of wire that you have shaped into a 'hook' or creating a wedge using two or three door stoppers. If you don't have these items or your car has an auto lock, then an air pump wedge could be the best choice.
Air pump wedges are a versatile tool that locksmiths and repo experts to help with auto lockouts. These tools typically feature an inflatable bag that slides between the car door and the weather stripping to create an opening that can be reached by longer-reach tools, like car-unlocking rods. These wedges also feature a heavy-duty design that is non-marring, which helps to prevent chipping of the paint on a car.
There are a variety of DIY air wedge kits available on the market. Some come with an electric pump that can be used to manually inflate. A high-quality kit should be able to 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.
If you do not have an air wedge or another alternative, there's the option of calling for roadside assistance or a local locksmith particularly if there is nothing else that works. If this is the only option you have, keep a spare in a safe location to ensure that you don't lose it if you need it. Whatever method you select do not panic. You can get your life back to normal by following these tips.
2. Coat Hanger
A wire coat hanger is a common item in the majority of households. It can be used to open a locked car. The trick is to bend the hook into a tiny "V" shape that can hold the lock post inside your door, and then move it to pop the lock open. This is the same method police officers employ using the slim jim, however using a coat hanger takes less finagling.
Tie a slipknot at the middle of a length of stiff string or paracord. Use the slipknot to push open the door of your car at the top corner. This gives you enough space to put in a long rod, such as a clothes hanger or a blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood pressure cuff, look at your local drugstore or discount store; 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 an even edge on both sides. It might be easier to bend the hook into a V-shape if you have pliers. This will require repeating the process several times until you get the ideal hook shape. Once G28 Car Keys 've gotten the correct shape, slide the hook behind the weather stripping on the lower part of the door. Place it in the door just above the handle.
Once the hanger is in place, move it around to locate the pin or bar that controls the door lock post. Depending on your vehicle you might find it either above or below the handle of your door's interior. Tap it lightly to see if you are able to move it. Then try pulling it up or backwards to release the lock.
You have successfully disengaged your lock if the lock post jiggles. Then, pull the handle down and you're back in your car! This method works for older vehicles that have manual locks. Slide the hook in gently to keep from damaging the window or car frame.
3. Shoestring
There are many tools to gain access to your car locked quickly. You can use a lengthy metal or wood strip that fits through the gap between your car and the door frame to press the unlock button from inside. However these options aren't always easy to locate and may scratch the paint on your vehicle. Another option is an air wedge. It looks like the inflatable cuff you use in a doctor's office and can be pumped into to create a gap enough to push down the unlock button inside. These devices are fairly inexpensive and can be used over and over when needed to unlock your vehicle.
A shoelace is an even more simple tool. To find the slip knot, first unlace a shoe and examine the middle. Then, you can place the shoelace's end between the corner of your car's door and the doorframe and move it through the crack until it wraps around the lock's pull knob. Pull tightly and pull upwards. With practice, this method can be learned in less than 30 seconds.
If this method doesn't work You can try using slim jims to open your car. A slim jim, a thin, flat metal tool with hooks on both ends that fits between the weatherproofing rubber on your car's door and window, is the ideal solution. The hooks on a slim jim may be used to open the door of a car. However this is a risky method since it requires insertion of the tool through the window, and could cause damage to the seal.
It is important to plan ahead for situations where you might leave your keys in a car and have to access it. There are many ways to prepare for this problem prior to it happening by signing to an automaker's app or service, signing up for roadside assistance, or even leaving an extra key and fob with your family or friends.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many doctors, nurses and other professionals carry a blood pressure cuff along with them. It's a simple device that can be used to unlock your car after you've locked the keys inside.
Place a deflated cuff in the space where the door meets the frame and slowly inflate it to make an opening. Be careful not to over-inflate or you could damage the door. You should have enough room to put in a wire hanger or another long thin object that is able to be able to reach inside the door.
If you don't have a coat hanger, try a piece of tubing or wire. This is a trick that the pros use to open cars, so it's likely to work!
There are a variety of ways to get into a locked vehicle, but you have be cautious not to do anything that might cause damage to your vehicle or yourself. Remember to always try the simplest and most secure method first. Your auto insurance may also cover these services! If all else fails contact 911 or a towing company. They will charge a small cost, but you'll save time and money in the end. The good news is that most of us have locked our keys in our cars at one point or another. It's a very common mistake and it usually won't cause any problems as long as you know the right tips to get back inside! If you have an extra key in your house, make sure that it's in the right place to find it. If not have a trusted person or family member to keep an extra key for you. To be safe, always check that you have the keys before pressing the lock. These simple steps can help keep you from being locked out of your vehicle in the future.