5 Things That Everyone Is Misinformed About About Locked Keys In Car
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 probably much higher than you think. There are a variety of ways to gain access to your car without having to call roadside assistance.
You can avoid being locked out of your car by taking preventative measures, such as checking the doors twice before locking them and keeping spare keys in designated locations.
1. Inflatable Wedge
The feeling that you've locked your keys in your car could be among the worst things to experience. It can throw your entire day into chaos and cause you to think about how you'll get home, to work or to your next event.
There are many ways to get back into your car if you've lost your keys. You can break the glass using a coathanger made of wire that you have shaped into a hook or creating a wedge using three or two door stoppers. If you don't have access those materials or if your vehicle has an automatic lock using an air pump wedge could be the best option.
An air pump wedge is a multi-purpose tool, which is often utilized by professional locksmiths and repo experts for auto lockout services. These tools usually feature an inflatable bag that slides between the door and weather stripping of the car to create a gap that can be accessed with more extended tools, such as rods for unlocking vehicles. These wedges are made to be strong and non-marring, which helps to prevent scratching the paint of your car while providing a sturdy solution to gain access to a locked vehicle.
For those who are DIY-ers, there are many air wedge kits for sale on the market, including some that include a hand pump to allow manual inflation. A top-quality kit should be able to form a gap between the door and the jamb sufficient to allow for the installation of access tools and open most vehicles with manual locks.
For those who don't have an air wedge or other alternative, there's the option of calling for roadside assistance or a locksmith in your area particularly if there is nothing else that works. If this is the only option you have you should keep a spare key in a safe location so you won't lose it if you need it. No matter what method you choose do not panic. You can return to normal by following these easy guidelines.
2. Coat Hanger
A coat hanger made of wire is a common item found in the majority of households. It can be easily used to unlock a locked car. The trick is to bend the hook into a small "V" shape that can hold the lock post inside your door and manipulate it to pop the lock open. This is the same method police officers employ with the slim jim, however using a coat hanger requires less effort.
Take a long piece of stiff string or paracord and tie a slipknot in the middle. Use the slipknot to pry open the car door in the upper corner. This will allow you enough space to place the rod of a long length, such as a clotheshanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood pressure cuff, check at your local drugstore or discount store as they often have one in their emergency kits.
Unravel the coat hanger's end and straighten it so that you have a hook and a straight edge on both sides. It may be easier to bend hooks into a V-shape, especially if you have pliers. It is necessary to repeat this process a few times to achieve the ideal hook shape. Once you've found the right shape, slide it in behind the weather stripping on the bottom of the door. Insert it into the door above the handle.
Once the hanger is in place then move it around to locate the pin or bar that controls the door lock post. Depending on the type of vehicle you drive, it could be just below or above the handle of your door's interior. Once you find it, tap it lightly to see if it moves. You can also pull it up or backwards in order to deactivate the lock.
You have successfully disconnected your lock if the lock post moves. You can then pull the handle back and you are in your vehicle! This method works for older vehicles that have manual locks. The hook is inserted gently to keep from damaging the window or frame of the car.
3. Shoestring
There are a variety of tools that can be used to swiftly unlock your car. You can use a long rod such as a metal or wooden strip that can fit through the gap between the door frame and the car, and then press down the unlock button located on the inside. These options aren't always available and can scratch your vehicle's paint. A wedge made of air is another alternative. It looks like an inflatable cuff that could be found in an office of a doctor. It can be put into the gap to make it sufficient to push the unlock button. These devices are not expensive and can be used again and repeatedly to unlock your car.
A shoelace is a more simple tool. First, take off the shoes and eyeball around the middle to determine where the slip knot situated. Put one end of your shoelace between the corner and the doorframe of your car. Work through the crack to tie around the knob of your lock. Pull it tight and upwards. This method can be mastered through practice in less than 30 second.
If this method does not work, you could try a slim Jim to unlock your vehicle. A slim jim is a flat thin piece of metal that has hooks on both ends. It fits into the space between the weatherproofing rubber of your car's door and window. The hooks on a slim jim can be used to open the car's door. However this is a risky method because it requires inserting the tool through the window and could cause damage to the seal.
Plan ahead in case you leave your keys inside the vehicle and have to enter it. You can prepare yourself for this scenario by signing up for the automaker's app or service or by subscribing to roadside assistance or leaving keys and a spare fob with family or friends.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many doctors, nurses and other professionals carry a blood pressure cuff along with them. Even if you don't have one, this is a low-cost device that can help save the day when you lock keys in car.
Slide a deflated cuff into the gap where the door joins the frame, and slowly inflate it until it creates an opening. Do not over-inflate the cuff or you could damage the door. You should now have enough space to place a wire coat hanger or any other long, thin object that can reach the unlock button within the door.
If locked car keys in car don't have a hanger for your coat Try a piece tubing or some wire. This is a trick the pros use to open automobiles, so it's bound to work!
There are a myriad of ways to get into a locked vehicle, but you have to be careful not to do anything that might damage your vehicle or hurt yourself. Always use the easiest and least damaging methods first - and don't forget that your insurance might cover services to help you with this type of situation! If nothing else works, you can call 911 or use an auto towing service. There will be for a small amount, but you will save money and time in the end. It's a good thing that we have all locked our keys in our automobiles at some moment in time. It's a very common mistake and it usually will not ruin your day so long as you're aware of right tips to get your keys back! If you have an extra key at your home, ensure you know where it is. Ask a friend or relative who you trust to store an extra key for you if you don't have one. Also, be sure to make a habit of checking your keys before pressing the lock button. Never lock your car with the remote, simply to be sure. These simple steps will prevent you from getting locked out of your car in the future!