Locked Keys in Car? Here's how to unlock your car to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance

The odds of locking your keys in your car are likely to be greater than you imagine. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to get your keys back without calling roadside assistance.

You can prevent being locked out of your car by taking preventative measures, such as double-checking the doors prior to locking them and storing spare keys in designated areas.

1. Inflatable Wedge

It's a frustrating feeling to realize that you've locked your keys inside your car. It can throw your day into chaos and cause you to think about how to get home or work or to your next meeting.

There are several methods to get back into your car if you've lost your keys. You could break the glass using a coathanger made of wire which you've shaped into a hook or making a wedge out of two or three door stoppers. If you don't own these items or if your car has an auto lock and an air pump wedge might be the best choice.

Air pump wedges are a versatile tool that locksmiths and repo experts to help with auto lockouts. These tools typically come with an inflatable bag that slides between the door of the car and the weather stripping to form an opening that can be reached by longer-reach tools, like car-unlocking rods. These wedges are also made of an extremely durable design that is non-marring to avoid chipping the paint on the exterior of a car.

For those who are DIY-ers there are numerous air wedge kits for sale on the market, including a few that come with a handy hand pump that can be used to manually inflate. A good kit will be able to create an opening between the door and the jamb that's large enough to insert access tools and allow the unlocking of most cars with manual locks.

If none of the other options work, you can always call roadside assistance, or a local lock-smith in the event that you do not have a spare key. If this is the only option, make sure that you keep your spare key in a secure place so that you don't need to worry about losing it when the time comes to use it. Whatever method you select, don't panic. You can still return to normal by following these simple tips.

2. Coat Hanger

A coat hanger made of wire is a common item found in most households and it is a simple way to unlock a locked vehicle. The trick is to bend the hook into a small "V" shape that will hold the lock post inside your door and 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.

Choose a long piece of paracord or string with a stiff end and tie a slipknot around the middle. Make use of the slipknot to pull open the car door slightly towards the top corner. This will allow you enough room to put in a long rod, like hanger for clothes or a blood pressure cuff. If you don't have a blood-pressure cuff, ask your local drugstore for one. They usually include them in their emergency kits.

Unravel the coat hanger's end and straighten it until you have a hook and an edge that is straight on both sides. If you have pliers, it may be easier to bend the hook into a V shape. You'll need to repeat this process a few times before you get the perfect hook shape. Once you've found the perfect shape then slide the hook through the weather stripping that is on the lower part of the door. Place it in the door just above the handle.

Once you have the hanger set, move it back and forth to locate a pin or a bar that regulates the door lock post. Depending on your vehicle, you may find it just below or above the handle of your door's interior. When you find it, tap on it lightly to test whether it moves. Try pulling it up or backwards to detach the lock.

You have successfully disconnected your lock if the post moves. Then you can simply pull the handle down and you're back in your car lockout help! This method is suitable for older vehicles with manual locks. The hook is inserted gently to avoid damaging the window or car frame.

3. Shoestring

There are many tools to gain access to your car that is locked. 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 to press down the unlock button on the inside. However, these options are not always easy to find and can scratch the paint of your vehicle. An air wedge is another option. It looks like an inflatable cuff could be found in a doctor's office. It can be put into the gap to make it sufficient to push the unlock button. These devices are relatively inexpensive and can be used over and over, if needed, to unlock your car.

A shoelace is an even simpler tool. To locate the slip knot, you must first unlace a shoe and examine the middle. Put one end of your shoelace between the corner and the doorframe of your vehicle and then work through the crack to wrap around the knob of the lock. Pull hard and up. After a few times, this technique can be mastered in less than 30 seconds.

If this method isn't working If this doesn't work, you might try using a slim jim to open your car. A slim jim is a flat, thin metal tool that has hooks on both ends. It fits into the space between the weatherproofing rubber on your car's door and the window. The hooks on a slim jim could be used to open the car's door. However this method is dangerous because it requires inserting the tool through the window and could cause damage to the seal.

It is essential to prepare for scenarios where you might leave keys in your car and have to get into it. You can prepare yourself for this scenario by signing up to the automaker's app or service and registering for roadside assistance or leaving a spare fob and key with family or friends.

4. Blood Pressure Cuff

Many nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals carry a blood pressure cuff in their bags. Even if you don't have one, this is an inexpensive device that can help save the day when you Lock Out car services your keys in the car.

Slide a deflated cuff into the gap where the door joins the frame. Slowly inflate it to make an opening. Be careful not to over-inflate or you risk damaging the door. You should have enough space to insert a wire hanger or a long, thin object that can penetrate the door.

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

There are a variety of ways to gain entry into a locked car, but you need be cautious not to do anything that could harm your vehicle lockout service or yourself. Always go for the simplest and least damaging method first - and don't forget that your auto insurance may provide services to assist you in this type of situation! If nothing else works then you can dial 911 or use an auto towing service. They will charge a small fee, but you'll be saving time and money in the end. The good news is that most of us have locked keys in our cars at some point or another. It's not a huge issue if you know how to enter. If you have an extra key in your home, ensure you are aware of where it is. If not have a trusted person or family member to keep an extra key for you. Also, keep a routine of checking your keys before hitting the lock button and never lock your car with the remote, simply to ensure your security. These simple tips can keep you from being locked out of your car in the future.