Are You Responsible For An Locked Keys In Car Budget? 12 Tips On How To Spend Your Money
Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
It's more likely than you think you will lock your keys inside your car. Luckily, there are multiple ways to get your keys back without calling for roadside assistance.
You can prevent being locked out of your vehicle by taking preventative measures, such as checking the doors twice before locking them and storing spare keys in designated places.
1. Inflatable Wedge
The feeling of having locked your keys in the car be one of the most unpleasant things you can experience. It can throw your entire day into a tizzy and leave you wondering how you'll ever get home or to work, or to your next appointment.
There are several options to gain access back to your vehicle after locking your keys inside the vehicle. Using a wire coat hanger that you've shaped into a hook or constructing wedges from three or two door stops can allow you to break through the glass to open your door. If you don't own these items or your car has an auto lock or air pump, then an air pump wedge could be the best choice.
An air pump wedge is a versatile tool that's often used by professional locksmiths and repo professionals to provide auto lockout services. These tools typically have an inflatable bag that is slipped between the door and the weather stripping of the car to create gaps which can be reached with longer-reaching tools, like car unlocking rods. These wedges are also made of an extremely durable design that is non-marring, which helps to prevent chipping of the paint on the car.
There are a variety of DIY air wedge kits on the market. Some include a hand pump to manually inflate. A high-quality kit will be able to create an opening between the door and the jamb sufficient to allow for the installation of access tools and unlock most cars with manual locks.
If nothing else works then you can always contact roadside assistance or a local lock-smith If you don't have a spare lock. If this is the only option, make sure that you keep your 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, don't panic. You can still get your life back to normal by following these guidelines.
2. Coat Hanger
A coat hanger made of wire is a common item found in many households and can be easily used to unlock a locked vehicle. The trick is to bend the hook into a small V shape to allow it to grab the lock post inside your door. You then use the hook to open the lock. This is the same technique police officers employ using the slim jim, however using a coat hanger takes less finagling.
Tie a slipknot at the middle of a long, string or paracord that is stiff. Make use of the slipknot at the top of the car door to pull it open. This will allow 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, look at your local drugstore or discount store as they often have one in their emergency kits.
Unravel the end of your coat hanger and straighten it until you have a hook as well as an edge that is straight on both sides. It might be easier to bend a hook into a V-shape if you have pliers. This will require you to repeat the process several times before you achieve the ideal hook shape. Once you've found the perfect shape you can slide the hook over the weather stripping that is on the bottom of the doors. Then insert it into the door just above the handle.
Once you have the hanger positioned in the desired position, move it back and forth to locate a pin or a bar that controls the door lock post. Depending on the type of vehicle you have, it may be located above or below the door's interior handle. Tap lightly on it to see if you can move it. You can also pull it up or backwards to disengage the lock.
If the lock post moves, you have successfully disengaged the lock. Then, pull the handle downwards and you're in your vehicle! This method is also applicable to older vehicles that have manual locks. Use the hook gently to avoid damaging the window or frame of the car.
3. Shoestring
There are several tools that can be used to swiftly unlock your vehicle. You can make use of 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 can scratch the paint on your vehicle. Another option is an air wedge. It looks like an inflatable cuff you might find at an office of a doctor. It can be placed into the gap until it sufficient to push the unlock button. These devices aren't expensive and can be used again and repeatedly to unlock your vehicle.
A more simple tool to make use of is a shoelace. First, take off the shoes and then look in the middle to determine where the slip knot located. Set one end of the shoelace between the corner and the doorframe of your car. Work it through the crack to wrap around the knob of the lock. Pull tightly and up. This method can be mastered through practice in less than 30 seconds.
If this method doesn't work You could try using slim jims to open your car. A slim jim, which is a small, flat metal tool with hooks at both ends that sits between the weatherproofing rubber of the car's door and window, is the perfect solution. The hooks on a slim jim could 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 cause damage to the seal.
It is crucial to prepare for scenarios in which you'll need to leave keys in your car and have to access it. There are a number of ways to prepare for this problem before it occurs by signing up for an automaker's application or service, signing up for roadside assistance, or leaving an extra key and fob with family members or friends.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many nurses, doctors, and others carry a blood-pressure cuff with them. Even if not, this is a low-cost device that could save the day when you lock your keys in the car.
Slide a deflated wrist into the gap between the door and the frame. Slowly inflate the wrist to create a hole. 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 coat hanger or other long, skinny object that could reach the unlock button within the door.
If you don't have a coat hanger or wire, you can use a piece of tubing. This is a trick the pros use to open cars, so it should work!
There are many ways to open a locked vehicle, but you must be careful to not damage your car or injure yourself. Always try the easiest and least damaging method first - and don't forget that your car insurance may cover assistance in this type of situation! If all else fails you can contact 911 or an auto towing service. They'll charge a small fee, but you'll save time and money in the long run. It's a good thing we've all locked our keys inside our vehicles at some moment in time. It's not a big deal if you know how to enter. If you have an extra key at your home, ensure you are aware of where it is. If not then ask a trusted friend or relative to keep an additional key for you. Also, be car opener service to make a habit of checking that you have your keys before pressing the lock button. Never lock your car using the remote, just to be safe. These simple tips can keep you from being locked out of your car in the future.