5 Killer Quora Answers On Locked Keys In Car

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

It's more likely than you think that you'll lock your keys in your car. There are several ways to gain access to your car without calling roadside assistance.

By taking preventative measures, such as always double-checking the locks before locking the doors, and keeping spare keys in designated places to avoid being locked out of your car altogether!

1. Inflatable Wedge

It can be a very uncomfortable feeling to realize you have locked your keys inside your car. It can throw your entire day into chaos and make you wonder how you will get home or work, or to your next event.

There are a variety of ways to get back into your car after losing your keys. You can break the glass by using a coathanger made of wire which you've shaped into a 'hook' or creating a wedge using three or two door stoppers. If you don't have access the materials mentioned above or if your car has an automatic lock, an air pump wedge might 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 car services. These tools typically come with an inflatable bag component that slips between the car door and the weather stripping to create an opening that can be accessed via longer-reach tools, such as car-unlocking rods. These wedges are also designed to be heavy-duty and non-marring, which aids to avoid scratching the paint of your car while also providing a solid solution for getting into the vehicle that is locked.

For those who are DIY-ers, there are many air wedge kits for sale on the market, with some which come with a hand pump for manual inflation. A top-quality kit will be able form a gap large enough to allow tools to be inserted and unlock many cars with manual locks.

If you do not have an air wedge or other alternative, there's always the option of calling for roadside assistance or a locksmith opening car door in your area, especially if nothing else works. If you're the only option, ensure that you keep your spare key in a safe place to ensure that you don't have to worry about losing it when you need to utilize it. Whatever method you choose, be patient and remember that it's ok to be scared when you lock your keys in your car; your life will continue with the same ease when you follow these easy tips.

2. Coat Hanger

A wire coat hanger is a common item in most households and it is a simple way to unlock a locked out car service vehicle. The trick is to bend the hook into a small "V" shape that can grasp the lock post within your door and then manipulate it to push the lock open. The same method is employed by police officers with the slim Jim, but a coathanger requires less finagling.

Make sure you have a long length of stiff string or paracord and tie a slipknot through the middle. Use the slipknot to pry open the car door in the upper corner. This gives you enough space to insert a long rod, such as 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 top of your coat hanger and straighten it out so that you have a hook on one end and a straight side on the other. If you have pliers, it could be easier to bend the hook into a V shape. This requires repeating the process several times before you achieve the desired hook shape. Once you've found the perfect shape, slide the hook behind the weather stripping on the door's bottom. Insert it into the door above the handle.

Once you have the hanger in place in the desired position, move it back and forth to find a pin or bar that is responsible for the door lock post. Depending on your vehicle you might find it just below or above your interior door handle. Tap lightly on it to see if you are able to move it. You can also try to pull it upwards or backwards to disengage the lock.

If the lock post jiggles, you have successfully disengaged the lock. You can then pull the handle backwards and you're in your vehicle! This method works for older vehicles with manual locks. Slide the hook in gently to keep from damaging the window or car frame.

3. Shoestring

There are many tools that can help you get into your car that is locked. You can make use of a long rod like a metal or wooden strip that can be inserted into the gap between the door frame and the car, and then press down the unlock button located on the inside. However, these options are not always easy to locate and could scratch the paint of your vehicle. Another alternative is to use an air wedge. It's shaped like an inflatable cuff that you might find at a doctor's office. It can be placed into the gap until it sufficient to push the unlock button. These devices are fairly inexpensive and can be used over and over, if needed, to unlock your car.

A shoelace is a more simple tool. To locate the slip knot, you must first unlace a shoe and examine the middle. Then, place the shoelace's end between the corner of your car door and the doorframe, and pull it down through the crack until it is looped around the knob of the lock. Pull the knob tightly and pull upwards. If you practice this technique, it can be mastered in less than 30 seconds.

If this method doesn't work, you can try using a slim Jim to open your vehicle. A slim jam is a flat thin piece of metal that has hooks at both ends that fit into the space between the weatherproofing rubber on your car's door and the window. One can use the hooks of a slim jim to open the car door, however this method is somewhat risky since it requires insertion of the device through the glass of the window and could damage the door's seal.

It is essential to prepare for scenarios in which you'll need to leave keys in your vehicle and have to get into it. You can prepare yourself for this situation by signing up for the automaker's app or service and registering for roadside assistance or leaving an extra fob and key with your family or friends.

4. Blood Pressure Cuff

Many doctors, nurses and other professionals have a blood pressure cuff in their bags. Even if you don't have one, this is a cheap device that could save the day when you lock keys in car.

Insert a cuff that has been deflated into the gap where the door joins the frame, and slowly inflate it to make an opening. Be careful not to over-inflate the air cuff or you may cause damage to the door. There should be enough room to insert a wire hanger or another long thin object that could be able to reach inside the door.

If you don't have a hanger for your coat you can try a piece of tubing or some wire. This is the same trick that professionals employ to open their cars and make their cars more secure, so you're sure it will work!

There are a myriad of ways to unlock your car, but you need be cautious not to do anything that might damage your vehicle or hurt yourself. Always try the easiest and least damaging techniques first - and don't forget that your auto insurance may cover services to assist you in this type of situation! If nothing else works you can contact 911 or an auto towing service. They'll charge a modest cost, but you'll save time and money in the long run. The positive side is that a lot of us have locked our keys inside our cars at one point 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, make sure you know where it is. Request a family member or friend who you trust to store a spare key for you if you don't have one. To ensure your safety, always ensure that you have keys before pressing the lock. These simple tips will keep you from being locked out of your car in the future!