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

It's more likely than you think you'll keep your keys locked inside your car. There are many options to get back inside without calling for assistance on the road.

By taking precautionary measures, like always double-checking the locks before locking the doors and keeping spare keys in designated areas, you can avoid getting locked out of your vehicle completely!

1. Inflatable Wedge

The feeling that you've locked keys car your keys in your car could be one of the most unpleasant things to experience. It can throw your entire day into a tizzy and leave you wondering if you'll ever get home or to work, or to your next appointment.

Fortunately, there are several options to get back into your vehicle after locking your keys inside it. You can break the glass by using a coathanger wire that you've turned into a 'hook', or creating a wedge using three or two door stoppers. If you don't have access these materials, or if your car has an automatic lock or a key lock, an air pump wedge might be the ideal solution.

An air pump wedge is a multi-purpose tool used by professional locksmiths and repo professionals for auto lockout service car services. They typically have an inflatable bag component that slides between the door of the car and the weather stripping to create an opening that can be reached with longer-reaching tools, such as car-unlocking rods. These wedges are made to be strong and non-marring, which helps to prevent damaging the paint on your car, while providing a strong solution to get into the locked vehicle.

For DIYers There are a variety of air wedge kits that are available on the market, with some that come with a handy hand 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 sufficient to allow for the installation of access tools and open most cars with manual locks.

If you do not have an air wedge or another alternative, there's the option of calling roadside assistance or a locksmith in your area in the event that nothing else works. If this is the only option, make sure that you keep a spare key in a secure place to ensure that you don't have to worry about losing it when you need to utilize it. Whatever method you select do not panic. You can get your life back to normal by following these simple guidelines.

2. Coat Hanger

Wire coat hangers are a standard household item that can be used to unlock a car. The trick is to bend the hook into a tiny "V" shape that can grip the lock post inside your door and then manipulate it to push the lock open. The same method is employed by police officers who have the slim Jim, but coat hangers require less fiddling.

Attach a slipknot in the middle of a length of stiff string or paracord. Use the slipknot to pry open the car door at the top corner. This will give you enough space to place an extended rod like a clothes hanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood pressure cuff, check at your local drugstore or discount store and they usually have one in their emergency kits.

Unravel the end of your coat hanger and straighten it out so you have a hook on one side and a straight side on the other. It is possible to bend the hook into a V-shape, especially if you have pliers. You'll need to repeat this process a few times before you get the perfect hook shape. Once you have the perfect shape, slide it behind the weather stripping on the bottom of the door. Then insert it into 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 above or below the door handle on your interior. Tap lightly on it to see if you can move it. Try pulling it up or backwards to release the lock.

You have successfully disconnected your lock if the lock post jiggles. You can then pull the handle backwards and you're in your vehicle! This method works for older vehicles with manual locks. Just be careful not to damage your window or the car frame by sliding the hook in too hard.

3. Shoestring

There are many tools that can help you get into your car locked quickly. You can use a long rod such as wood or metal strips that can fit through the gap between the door frame and the car. It will then push down the unlock button inside. These options aren't always available and could damage the paint of your car. Another alternative is to use an air wedge. It looks like an inflatable cuff could be found in a doctor's office. It can be placed into the gap until it large enough to push the unlock button. These devices are quite affordable and can be used repeatedly in order to unlock your vehicle.

A shoelace is a more simple tool. To find the slip knot, first unlace a shoe and look around the middle. Place one end of your shoelace between the doorframe and the corner of your car and work it through the crack to wrap around the knob of the lock. Pull tightly and pull upwards. This technique can be learned by practicing for less than 30 seconds.

If this method doesn't work, you could try a slim Jim to unlock your vehicle. A slim jim is a thin, flat metal tool with hooks on both ends that fit between the weatherproofing rubber of your car door and window, is the ideal solution. One can use the hooks of a slim jim to open the car door, however this method is a bit risky as it requires insertion of the device through the glass of the window and could cause damage to the seal of the door.

Plan ahead in case you leave your keys inside the vehicle and have to access it. You can prepare yourself for this eventuality by signing up to the automaker's service or app, subscribing for roadside assistance or leaving keys locked in car in ignition and a spare fob with your family or friends.

4. Blood Pressure Cuff

Many doctors, nurses and other staff members carry a blood-pressure cuff them. Even if not, this is a low-cost device that can save the day when you lock your keys in your car.

Place a deflated hand into the gap between the frame and the door. Slowly inflate the wrist to create a hole. Be careful not to over-inflate or you could damage the door. There should be enough room to put in a wire hanger or another long, thin object that can reach inside the door.

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

There are a myriad of ways to unlock your car, but you need be aware not to do anything that might cause damage to your vehicle or yourself. Always try the easiest and least damaging methods first. Don't forget that your car insurance may provide assistance in this kind of situation! If all else fails, call 911 or a towing service. You will be charged a small fee but you will save time and money in the end. The good news is that most of us have locked keys in our cars at one time or another. It's not a big deal if you are aware of how to gain entry. If you have an extra key in your home, ensure you know where it is. Request a family member or friend who you trust to store keys for you if you don't have one. To be safe, always ensure that you have keys before you press the lock. These simple tips will keep you from getting locked out of your car in the future!