15 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Be Ignoring 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 inside your car are probably much more likely than you think. Luckily, there are multiple options to get back inside without calling for assistance on the road.

You can avoid being locked out of your car by taking preventative measures like checking the doors twice before locking them and keeping spare keys in designated areas.

1. Inflatable Wedge

The feeling of locking your keys in the car can be one of the most unpleasant experiences you'll ever have. It could send your day into a tailspin and leave you wondering if you'll ever get home or to work, or to your next appointment.

There are many ways to get back in your car if you've lost your keys. Using a wire coat hanger that you've made into a hook or making an elongated wedge from two or three door stops can allow you to break through the glass to open your door. If you don't own these items or if your car has an auto lock or air pump, then an air pump wedge might be the best option.

Air pump wedges are a versatile tool used by locksmiths as well as repo experts for auto lockouts. These tools typically feature an inflatable bag component that is slipped between the car's door and the weather stripping to create an opening that can be reached by longer-reach tools, like car-unlocking rods. These wedges are also made of the highest quality design and are non-marring, which helps to prevent chipping of the paint on the exterior of a car.

For DIYers there are numerous air wedge kits for sale on the market, with some that come with a handy hand pump to allow manual inflation. A top-quality kit can create an opening large enough to fit tools and unlock many cars with manual locks.

If none of the other options work then you can always contact roadside assistance or a local lock-smith If you don't have a spare key. If this is your only option, ensure that you keep a spare key in a safe place so that you don't need to be concerned about losing it when the time comes to make use of it. No matter what method you select do not panic. You can still return to normal by following these tips.

2. Coat Hanger

Wire coat hangers are a common household item that can be used to open the car. The trick is to bend the hook into a small V shape to allow it to grab the lock post on your door. You then manipulate the hook to pop the lock. The same technique is used by police officers who have the slim Jim, but coat hangers require less effort.

Take a long piece of paracord or string that is stiff and tie a slipknot around the middle. Use the slipknot to pry open the car door slightly towards the top corner. This will give you enough space to insert the rod of a long length like a clothes hanger or 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 your coat hanger's end and straighten it to ensure that you have a hook and a straight edge on both sides. If you have pliers, it may be easier to bend the hook into a V shape. You will need to repeat this process a few times to get the right hook shape. Once you've gotten the correct shape you can slide the hook over the weather stripping at the lower part of the door. Insert it into the door above the handle.

Once you have the hanger in place, move it forward and back to find the pin or bar that regulates the door lock post. Depending on the type of vehicle you might find it either above or below the door handle on your interior. Tap lightly on it to see if it is able to move it. Then try pulling it up or backwards to detach the lock.

You have successfully disengaged your lock if the lock post jiggles. Then, you can pull the handle down and you are in your vehicle! G28 on older vehicles that have manual locks. Use the hook gently to keep from damaging the window or car frame.

3. Shoestring

There are a number of tools that can help you get into your locked car quickly. You can make use of a long metal or wood strip that fits through the gap between the 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. A wedge made of air is another option. It's similar to the inflatable cuff you might use in a doctor's office and can be pumped up to create a gap enough to press the unlock button within the. These devices are inexpensive and can be used repeatedly and again to unlock your car.

A shoelace is a more simple tool. First, take off your shoes and look around the middle to determine the location where the slip knot is situated. Then, place the shoelace's end between the corner of your car's door and the doorframe, and pull it down through the crack until it loops around the knob of the lock. Then, pull it hard and up. With practice, this method 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 with hooks at both ends that fit into the space between the weatherproofing rubber of your car's door and window. One can use the hooks of a slim jim in order to open the door of a car, but this technique is a bit risky since it requires insertion of the device through the window glass and could cause damage to the door's seal.


Plan ahead in case you forget your keys in your vehicle and require to enter it. There are several ways to prepare for this problem before it occurs, such as signing up for an automaker's app or service, registering for roadside assistance, or even leaving a spare key and fob with friends or family members.

4. Blood Pressure Cuff

Many nurses, doctors and others have a blood pressure cuff in their bags. It's a simple 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 space where the door meets the frame, and slowly inflate it to create an opening. Do not over-inflate it, or you could damage the door. There should be enough room to insert an electrical wire hanger or other long, thin object that can penetrate the door.

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

There are a myriad of ways to get into a locked vehicle, but you have be cautious not to do anything that could damage your vehicle or hurt yourself. Remember to always take the simplest and most secure method first. Your insurance policy may also cover these services! If nothing else works, call 911 or contact a towing company. There will be an amount that is small, but you will save time and money in the end. The positive side is that a lot of us have locked keys in our cars at one point or another. It's not a big deal if you know how to get in. If you have a spare key at home in your house, make sure it's where you can find it. You can ask a relative or friend who you trust to store an extra key for you if you don't have one. Also, make a habit of checking your keys before pressing the lock button. Also, never lock your car using the remote, just to be sure. These easy tips will help prevent you from getting locked out of your car in the future!

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Pub: 23 Apr 2024 22:18 UTC
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