Three Reasons Why Your Locked Keys In Car Is Broken (And How To Fix It)

Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance The odds of locking your keys in your car are probably much more likely than you think. Luckily, there are multiple ways to get back inside without calling assistance on the road. You can avoid being locked out of your car by taking preventative measures such as checking the doors twice before locking them and storing spare keys in designated locations. 1. Inflatable Wedge It's a uncomfortable feeling to realize you've locked your keys in the car. It can throw your day into chaos and make you think about how you'll get home or work, or to your next event. There are a number of methods to get back into your vehicle when you've locked your keys inside the vehicle. You can break the glass by using a coathanger made of wire that you have shaped into a hook or making a wedge from two or three door stoppers. If you don't have these materials or your vehicle has an auto lock and an air pump wedge may be the best option. An air pump wedge is a versatile tool 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 weather stripping of the car to create a gap that can be accessed with longer-reaching tools, such as car unlocking rods. These wedges also have the highest quality design and are non-marring to avoid chipping the paint on the exterior of a car. For DIYers there are numerous air wedge kits for sale on the market, including some that come with a handy hand pump that can be used to manually inflate. A top-quality kit should be able form an opening between the door and the jamb which is large enough to accommodate access tools and unlock the majority of cars that have manual locks. If all else fails, you can always call roadside assistance or a local lock-smith in the event that you don't have a spare key. If this is your only option, make sure that you keep an extra key in a safe place to ensure that you don't have to be concerned about losing it when you need to make use of it. Whatever method you decide to use, don't panic. You can still get your life back to normal by following these simple tips. 2. Coat Hanger A wire coat hanger is a common item in many households and can be used to unlock 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 can move the hook to unlock the lock. This is the same method police officers employ with the slim jim, however using a coat hanger requires less finagling. Make a slipknot in middle of a length of stiff string or paracord. Make use of the slipknot at the top of the car door to pull it open. This will allow you enough space to place the rod of a long length for example, a clotheshanger or blood pressure cuff. If you don't have an artery pressure cuff, visit your local drugstore or discount store as they often have one in their emergency kits. Unravel the coat hanger's end and straighten it so that you have a hook as well as a straight edge on both sides. It might be easier to bend a hook into a V-shape, especially if you have pliers. This requires repeating the process several times until you reach the perfect hook shape. Once you have the right shape, slide it behind the weather stripping on the bottom of the door. Place it in the door just above the handle. Once you have the hanger set, move it forward and back to find the pin or bar that is responsible for the door lock post. Depending on your vehicle it could be just above or below the door's interior handle. Tap lightly on it to see if you are able to move it. locked out of car service can also try to pull it up or backwards in order to deactivate the lock. If the lock post jiggles it means you have successfully disengaged the lock. Then, you can lower the handle and you're back in your car! This method is also applicable to older vehicles with manual locks. The hook is inserted 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 make use of a long wooden or metal strip that fits into the gap between your car and the door frame to push the unlock button from the inside. However these options aren't always readily available and can scratch the paint of your vehicle. An air wedge is a different alternative. It looks like the cuff that you utilize at a doctor's appointment and can be pumped into to create a gap large enough to push the unlock button inside. These devices aren't expensive and can be used again and again to unlock your car. A much simpler tool to utilize is the shoelace. First, unlace the shoes and eyeball in the middle to determine where the slip knot is situated. Place one end of your shoelace between the doorframe and the corner of your vehicle and then work it through the crack until it forms a wrap around the knob of the lock. Pull tightly and pull upwards. With practice, this method can be mastered in less than 30 seconds. If this method doesn't work, you can try using a slim jim to open your car. A slim jim is a flat, thin metal tool with hooks on both ends and fits into the space between the weatherproofing rubber on your car's door and the window. The user can move the hooks of a slim jim to open a car door, but this method is somewhat risky because it requires insertion of the device through the window glass and could cause damage to the seal of the door. Plan ahead in case you lose your keys inside your vehicle and require to enter it. You can prepare yourself for this scenario by signing up for the automaker's app or service or by subscribing to roadside assistance or leaving an extra fob and key with friends or family. 4. Blood Pressure Cuff Many doctors, nurses and other staff members carry a blood-pressure cuff them. Even if you don't have one, this is an inexpensive device that can to save the day if you lock your keys in the car. Insert a deflated arm into the gap between the frame and the door. Slowly inflate the wrist until it forms a hole. Be careful not to over-inflate the air cuff, or you could harm the door. There should be enough room to place an electrical wire hanger or other long thin object that is able to penetrate the door. If you don't have a hanger for your coat Try a piece tubing or wire. This is the same trick used by professionals to open their cars and you can be sure that 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 might cause damage to your vehicle or yourself. Remember to always take the simplest and most secure method first. Your insurance company might also cover these services! If all else fails contact 911 or contact a towing company. They'll charge a small fee, but you'll save time and money in the end. The positive side is that a lot of us have locked our keys inside our cars at one time or another. It's a common mistake and typically 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 you have it in a place where you can access it. Request a family member or friend who you trust to keep a spare key for you if you don't have one. Also, keep a routine of checking that you have your keys before hitting the lock button. Also, never lock your car with the remote, just to be sure. These simple steps will prevent you from being locked out of your car in the future!