locked keys in car (Full Article)? 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 having to call roadside assistance.

You can avoid being locked out of your vehicle by taking preventative measures, such as checking the doors twice before locking them and keeping spare keys in designated places.

1. Inflatable Wedge

It's a frustrating feeling to realize that you've locked your keys inside your car. It can turn your day into chaos and make you wonder how you will get home, to work, or to your next appointment.

Fortunately, there are several options for getting back into your vehicle after locking your keys in it. Using a wire coat hanger which you've turned into a hook or making a wedge out of three or two door stops can help you break through the glass and open your door. If you don't have access these materials, or if your vehicle has an automatic lock or a key lock, an air pump wedge might be the best option.

An air pump wedge is a multi-purpose tool used by professional locksmiths and repo experts for auto lockout services. These tools typically feature an inflatable bag component that slides between the car's door and the weather stripping to create an opening that is accessible with longer-reaching tools, such as car-unlocking rods. These wedges also have the highest quality design and are non-marring to prevent chipping of the paint on a car.

There are numerous DIY air wedge kits available on the market. Some include the option of a hand pump that you can manually inflate. A top-quality kit should be able to form an opening between the door and the jamb sufficient to allow for the installation of access tools and unlock the majority of cars that have manual locks.

For those who don't have an air wedge or other alternative, there's always the option of calling roadside assistance or a local locksmith, especially if there is nothing else that works. If you're the only option, make sure that you keep an extra key in a secure place so that you don't have to be concerned about losing it when you need to make use of it. No matter what method you select do not panic. You can return to normal by following these easy guidelines.

2. Coat Hanger

A wire coat hanger is a standard item in the majority of households. It can be easily used to unlock a car service a locked vehicle. The trick is to bend your hook into a small V to allow it to grab the lock post inside your door. Then, you use the hook to open the lock. This is the same technique police officers employ using a slim jim. However, using a coat hanger takes less effort.

Make sure you have a long length of paracord or string that is stiff and tie a slipknot in the middle. Use the slipknot to push open the car door slightly towards the top corner. This will give you enough space to place a long rod for example, a clotheshanger 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 the end of your coat hanger and locked keys in Car straighten it out so that you have an opening on one side and a straight one on the other. It may be easier to bend hooks into a V-shape when you have pliers. This will require you to repeat the process several times before you achieve the desired hook shape. Once you have the right shape, slide it in behind the weather stripping at the bottom of the door. Then, slide it into the door just above the handle.

Once the hanger is set and it is in place, move it around until you locate the pin or bar that controls the door lock post. Depending on your vehicle you might find it above or below your interior door handle. Tap lightly on it to see if you are able to move it. You can also move it upwards or backwards in order to deactivate the lock.

You have successfully disengaged your lock if the post jiggles. You can then pull the handle down and you are in your vehicle! This method works for older vehicles that have 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 locked quickly. You can use a long wooden or metal strip that fits through the gap between the car and the door frame to press the unlock button from the inside. These options aren't always available and could scratch your vehicle's paint. An air wedge is another alternative. It looks like an inflatable cuff that you may find in an office of a doctor. It can be put into the gap to make it sufficient to push the unlock button. These devices are quite affordable and can be used over and over in order to unlock your car.

A shoelace is a simpler tool. First, take off a pair of shoes and look around the middle to find where the slip knot is located. Then, you can place one end of the shoelace between the corner of your car door and the doorframe and work it down through the crack until it is looped around the knob on the lock. Make sure you pull the lock tightly and up. This method can be mastered by practicing for less than 30 seconds.

If this method doesn't work, you can try using a slim Jim to open the door of your vehicle. A slim jim is a flat, thin metal tool that has hooks on both ends and fits into the space between the weatherproofing rubber of your car's door and window. The hooks on a slim jim may be used to open a car's door. However, this method is risky since it requires insertion of the tool through the window, and could damage the seal.

It is essential to plan ahead for situations where you might leave keys in your car and need to access it. There are a number of ways you can prepare for this situation before it happens, such as signing up for an automaker's application or service, signing up for roadside assistance, or leaving a spare key and fob with family members or friends.

4. Blood Pressure Cuff

Many nurses, doctors and other professionals have a blood pressure cuff in their bags. Even if not, this is an inexpensive device that can help save the day when you lock your keys in your car.

Insert a deflated arm into the gap between the door and the frame. Slowly increase the inflation of the wrist to make a hole. Don't over-inflate the cuff or you could harm the door. There should be enough room to insert an iron coat hanger or another long, thin object that is able to reach the unlock button inside the door.

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

There are many methods to unlock a locked car but you should be careful not to damage your car or injure yourself. Remember to always try the simplest and least damaging method first. Your insurance company might also cover these services! If nothing else works then you can dial 911 or use an auto towing service. You will be charged an amount that is small, 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 point or another. It's not a big deal when you know how to get in. If you have an extra key in your home, ensure it's where you can find it. If not then ask a trusted friend or relative to keep an additional key for you. Also, make a habit of checking your keys before hitting the lock button. Also, never lock your car with the remote, just to be sure. These easy tips will help prevent you from being locked out of your car in the future!