Five Tools Everybody In The Locked Keys In Car Industry Should Be Making Use Of
Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Get Back Inside Without Calling Roadside Assistance
The chances of locking your keys in your car are probably much greater than you imagine. There are a variety of ways to get inside your car without calling roadside assistance.
By taking preventive measures, for example, always double-checking before locking the doors, and keeping spare keys in designated places you can ensure that you don't get locked out of your vehicle completely!
1. Inflatable Wedge
The feeling that you've locked your keys in the car can be one of the worst things to experience. It can throw your day into chaos and make you think about how to get home or work, or to your next appointment.
There are many ways to get back into your car if you've lost your keys. You can break the glass 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 items or your vehicle is equipped with an auto lock, then an air pump wedge might be the best option.
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 usually feature an inflatable bag that slides between the door and weather stripping of the car to create an opening that can be accessed with more extended tools, such as rods for unlocking vehicles. These wedges are made to be strong and non-marring, which helps to avoid damaging the paint on your car, while providing a strong solution to gain access to a locked vehicle.
For those who are DIY-ers there are numerous air wedge kits that are available on the market, with some which come with a hand pump for manual inflation. A good kit can create an opening large enough to fit tools and unlock many cars with manual locks.
If nothing else works, you can always call roadside assistance or a local lock-smith in the event that you do not have a spare key. If this is the only option, make sure that you keep a spare key in a safe place to ensure that you don't have to worry about losing it when the time comes to use it. Whatever method you decide to use, be patient and remember that it's okay to be scared when you lock your keys in your car; your life will continue with the same ease if you follow these simple guidelines.
2. Coat Hanger
A coat hanger made of wire is a standard item in many households and can be easily 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. You then move the hook to unlock the lock. The same method is employed by police officers with a slim Jim, however coat hangers require less effort.
Make a slipknot in middle of a length of string or paracord that is stiff. Apply the slipknot to the top edge of the car door to pry it open. This will allow you 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 or a blood pressure cuff, ask your local pharmacy for one. They often include them in their emergency kits.
Unravel the end of your coat hanger and straighten it so that you have a hook and an edge that is straight on both sides. If you have pliers, it might be easier to bend the hook into a V shape. This will require you to repeat the process several times until you reach the desired hook shape. Once you have the right shape, slide it behind the weather stripping at the bottom of the door. Then, insert it into the door just above the handle.
Once you have the hanger in place on the wall, you can move it back and forth to locate a pin or a bar that controls the door lock post. Depending on your vehicle it could be above or below the interior door handle. Tap it lightly to see if it is able to move it. You can also try to pull it up or backwards to disengage the lock.
If the lock post moves, you have successfully disengaged the lock. You can then pull the handle back and you're back in your vehicle! This method is also applicable to older vehicles with manual locks. The hook is inserted gently to keep from 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 use a lengthy wooden or metal strip that fits through the gap between your car and the door frame, and then press the unlock button from inside. However these options aren't always easy to find and could scratch the paint of your car. Another option is an air wedge. It resembles the inflatable cuff you might use at the doctor's office and can be pumped up to create a gap enough to press the unlock button inside. These devices are quite affordable and can be used over and over, if needed, to unlock your car.
A more simple tool to make use of is the shoelace. First, unlace a pair of shoes and look in the middle to determine where the slip knot located. Then, place the shoelace's end between the corner of your car's door and the door frame and work it down through the crack until it is looped around the lock's pull knob. Pull tightly and pull upwards. This method can be mastered by practicing for less than 30 seconds.
If this method doesn't work If this doesn't work, you could try using the slim jim to open your car. A slim jim is a flat, thin metal tool with hooks on both ends. It fits into the space between the weatherproofing rubber of 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 as it requires the device to be inserted through the window glass and could cause damage to the seal of the door.
It is crucial to be prepared for the eventuality in which you'll need to leave your keys in a car and have to access it. There are many ways to prepare yourself for this scenario prior to it happening like signing up for an automaker's app or service, subscribing to roadside assistance, or leaving a spare key and fob with friends or family members.
4. Blood Pressure Cuff
Many doctors, nurses and other staff members carry a blood-pressure cuff with them. Even if you don't, this is a cheap device that could to save the day if you lock keys in car.
Place a deflated cuff in the space where the door meets the frame. Slowly inflate it to create an opening. Do not over-inflate it, or you could damage the door. You should have enough room to place a wire hanger or a long thin object that is able to penetrate the door.
If you don't have a coat hanger or wire, you can make use of a piece of tubing. This is a trick that professionals use to open automobiles, so it's bound to work!
There are a variety of ways to get into a locked vehicle, but you have be cautious not to do anything that might damage your vehicle or hurt yourself. Always use the easiest and least damaging techniques first. Don't forget that your car insurance might cover assistance in this type of situation! If all else fails you can contact 911 or use an auto towing service. They'll charge a modest fee, but you'll be saving time and money in the end. It's a good thing that we've all locked our keys in our vehicles at some time or another. It's a common mistake and it usually won't cause any problems as long as you're aware of best ways to get back inside! If you have a spare key in your house, make sure that you have it in a place where you can access it. G28CarKeys can ask a relative or friend who you trust to keep a spare key for you in case you don't have one. Also, be sure to make a habit of checking your keys before pressing the lock button. Also, never lock your car using the remote, simply to be safe. These easy tips will help prevent you from being locked out of your car in the future!