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 keep your keys locked inside your car. There are many ways to gain access to your car without calling roadside assistance.

By taking preventive measures, for example, always double-checking locks before locking doors and keeping spare keys in designated locations you can ensure that you don't get locked out of your car altogether!

1. Inflatable Wedge

The feeling that you've locked your keys in the car can be one of the worst experiences you'll ever have. 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.

There are a number of methods to gain access back to your vehicle when you've locked your keys inside the vehicle. Using a wire coat hanger that you've shaped into a hook or making an elongated wedge from three or two door stops can help you break through the glass and unlock your door. If you don't have access these materials, or if your car has an automatic 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 services. They typically come with an inflatable bag that is slipped between the door and the weather stripping of the car to create an opening that can be opened by longer-reaching tools like car unlocking rods. These wedges are also designed to be durable and non-marring, which helps to avoid scratching the paint of your car while providing a sturdy solution for getting into a locked vehicle.

There are a variety of DIY air wedge kits available on the market. Some come with the option of a hand pump that you can manually inflate. A top-quality kit will create a gap big enough to insert tools and open many vehicles with manual locks.

If none of the other options work it is possible to call roadside assistance or a local locksmith, if you don't have a spare key. If this is the only option you have you should keep a spare key in a safe location so you won't lose it when you need it. Regardless of the method you choose, be patient and remember it's fine to be scared when you lock your keys in your car; your life can still go on as normal if you follow these simple guidelines.

2. Coat Hanger

A coat hanger made of wire is a standard item in the majority of households. It can be used to unlock a locked car. The trick is to bend your hook into a small V in order to grasp the lock post in your door. Then, you can use the hook to open the lock. The same method is employed by police officers with the slim Jim, but coat hangers require less effort.

Attach a slipknot in the middle of a long, stiff string or paracord. Make use of the slipknot to pull open the car door towards the top corner. This allows you to have enough room to insert a long rod, like a clothes hanger or a 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 so that you have a hook and a straight edge on both sides. It might be easier to bend hooks into a V-shape if you have pliers. It is necessary to do this a few times before you get the perfect hook shape. Once you have the right shape, slide it in behind the weather stripping at the bottom of the door. Then, insert it into the door, just above the handle.

Once the hanger is set, move it around to find the pin or bar controlling the door lock post. Depending on your vehicle, it may be located either above or below the door's interior handle. When you find it, tap on it lightly to see if it moves. Try pulling it up or backwards to release the lock.

If the lock post jiggles then you have successfully disconnected the lock. Then, pull the handle down and you're back in your car! This method works for older vehicles that have manual locks. Slide the hook in gently to ensure that it doesn't damage the window or car frame.

3. Shoestring

There are many tools to gain access to your locked car quickly. You can use a long rod such as a wooden or metal strip that can fit through the gap between the door frame and the car to press down the unlock button located on the inside. These options aren't always available and could damage the paint of your car. An air wedge is a different option. It looks like an inflatable cuff you may find in the doctor's office. It can be pumped into the gap until it enough to push the unlock button. These devices are inexpensive and can be used over and repeatedly to unlock your car.

A shoelace is an even simpler tool. First, take off the shoes and eyeball around the middle to determine where the slip knot is located. Place one end of your shoelace between the corner and the doorframe of your vehicle and then work it through the crack until it forms a wrap around the knob of the lock. Make sure you pull the lock tight and up. After a few times, this technique 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 thin, flat tool made of metal with hooks at both ends that fits between the weatherproofing rubber of your car door and How to unlock a lexus car door (this) window, is the ideal solution. The hooks on a slim jim can be used to open the door of a car. However, this method is risky since it requires insertion of the tool through the window, and could cause damage to the seal.

It is important to be prepared for the eventuality where you might leave keys in your vehicle and have to access it. You can prepare yourself for this situation by signing up for the automaker's app or service or by subscribing to roadside assistance, or leaving a spare fob and key with friends or family.

4. Blood Pressure Cuff

Many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals carry a blood pressure cuff in their bags. This is a cheap device that can be used to unlock door car your car when 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 until it creates an opening. Be careful not to over-inflate or you risk damaging the door. You should have enough space to put in a wire hanger or another long thin object that is able to penetrate the door.

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

There are many tricks to get into a locked vehicle, but you have to be careful not to do anything that might harm your vehicle or yourself. Remember to always use the most simple and most secure method first. Your auto insurance could also cover these types of services! If nothing else works contact 911 or a towing company. They'll charge a modest fee, but you'll be saving time and money in the long run. The positive side is that a lot of us have locked our keys inside our cars at some point or another. It's a frequent occurrence and it usually will not ruin your day so long as you know the right tips to get your keys back! If you have a spare key in your house, make sure that it's in the right place to find it. If not have a trusted person or relative to keep an additional key for you. To ensure your security, make sure you have the keys before you press the lock. These simple tips will keep you from being locked out of your car in the future!