Locked Keys in Car? Here's How to Open Your Car Without Damage
If you've locked your keys inside your car, don't panic. There are many techniques you can try prior to calling a locksmith or roadside assistance service.
For example, you can use a shoelace with an a slip knot to tie up a post lock or a coat hanger made of wire that you twist and then mold into a hook. You can also use a door wedge or an inflatable wedge.
Pump Wedge
Get help from a professional if are stuck in your car and DIY solutions such as shoestrings or wedges or wire hooks don't work. A locksmith or repo service provider might have lockout tools that can allow you to unlock your car without damaging it.
Make sure you use them correctly when they are available. Most importantly, know where to insert the wedge tool. A lot of people place the wedge tool in the top corner of the door which is the most vulnerable. This is not a good idea as you're more likely to harm the weather stripping as well as the wires inside the door. Instead, place the wedge in the largest area of the gap you can see and in the area where it will have maximum leverage.
The Pump Wedge is an inflatable wedge made of heavy duty vinyl that won't mar the surface. It is able to slide between the vehicle door and the door frame. It is pumped up to create a space that will allow you to slide in other tools like an extended reach car opening tool rod. It has a hook at one end that you could make into a shape to hold the latch on the door handle.
This can be accomplished with two wooden door stops. They can be placed in the back of the car door to make the space wide enough to accommodate a rod. You could also try using an jim that is slim that is a thin metal strip that can be bent into a hook to latch on the lock and pull it up. This method is not for the faint of heart as you must be careful not damage the weather stripping that is on your door.
A shoelace is a good option, but it works only with older cars that don't have a push button for the unlock mechanism. You can tie a slip knot in the middle of the lace and then move it upwards and downwards through the door's seam until you locate the latch. Then, you can move the lace until it catches the lock, tighten the slip knot and pull upward. This method can be more difficult than the other, and it may scratch the paint or damage the door trim if not cautious.
Inflatable Wedge
If you have an inflatable wedge-shaped car door opener, you'll be able to easily unlock your car without the necessity of prying or slim jim tools. These wedges can be placed between the frame and the window of the car and when inflated, create a large opening to place a tool with a long reach, like a button grabper or slim jim. This method is much less dangerous than using a tool to pry and is a viable option even if you don't have access the screwdriver.
A coat hanger that is wired into a hook is a different option to unlock the car without damaging its exterior or interior. You can use this to grab the lock button, and it might work better than a flat screwdriver since it is less likely to cause damage to the paint of your car. However, you should check the other doors to ensure there's no other means to gain access.
You can also try an old plastic bag that has been twisted into a v-shaped or noose-like shape, but you will need to be careful not to tear it because this could make the situation more difficult. This method is particularly efficient if you're struggling to locate the lock button. This trick is not as reliable as a wedge or metal coat hanger, but it could aid you in a pinch.
The best tip we can give you about being locked out of your car is to remain in a calm state and put safety first. There are many options to deal with this issue. If you've read this article, you will be prepared for any situation that could occur. If you follow the steps we've provided you will be able to unlock your car and get going without causing any damage or stress. If you're able, take your keys when you leave your car.
Shoelace
Getting locked out of your car is one of those "oh crap" moments that can ruin your day. It's a good idea to have a few items that you can use to unlock your car without breaking any windows. These items can be easily found and can save you money on locksmiths, or the time it takes to call roadside assistance.
A shoelace or twine could be used to unlock a vehicle. It is easy to use and works on numerous cars. This method is only applicable to cars with post locks. These can be stacked vertically on the window sill and are easily accessible from outside the car. Make use of a shoelace and a slip knot to get the job done. Then, wiggle the shoelace through the crack between the windows and doors. Once the slip knot is positioned, pull the ends of the string up to tighten it.
This method is more efficient for older vehicles and may not work on modern models that have an interior hook lock. A screwdriver, if it's available is a good tool to open the door in a more aggressive manner. You could also use a pole that you can pull from a nearby object like the door unlock service frame, or a piece wood, to put into the window frame. This will create space for an object to push the locking button.
While the methods mentioned above are relatively safe for most drivers, it is best to call for assistance if possible. This can help avoid further damage to your car and decrease the chance of an accident caused by stress. If you don't have a phone with a mobile number or are unable to call for help it is essential to inform trusted family members and friends know where your vehicle is. A spare set of keys should be kept in a safe location on your vehicle.
Wire Hanger
It can be a stressful experience to lock your keys inside your car. However, the trick is to remain calm and think through what your options are to retrieve them. You will not make the situation more difficult if you do not panic.
One of the best ways to do this is to use a modified wire coat hanger to get back in your vehicle. You'll need to uncoil the coat hanger until it has a straight edge and a hook, which you can use to move the Lock Out Car rod inside your door. Once you are able to reach the lock rod and you are in a position to pull it upwards to allow you to open the door.
Another option to try is using a rod or even an element of metal from the body of your vehicle. You should be sure not to damage the vehicle in this process. It is recommended to avoid having to disassemble the car. This method works better on older vehicles than modern ones. However, it can be used on models with distinctive door handles on the outside.
You can also use a shoestring and a slip knot to accomplish a similar trick. This can be done on a postlock, however it will be more difficult to maneuver as you will rely on the tension of the string to nab it. You can do this by threading a shoestring through the tiny hole in the weatherstripping of your vehicle's doors. Once the shoestring is through the weatherstripping, pull it tight to create a tight loop that snaps around the lock. If you're lucky, the lock will be placed in the correct spot.
If you've locked your keys inside your car, don't panic. There are many techniques you can try prior to calling a locksmith or roadside assistance service.
For example, you can use a shoelace with an a slip knot to tie up a post lock or a coat hanger made of wire that you twist and then mold into a hook. You can also use a door wedge or an inflatable wedge.
Pump Wedge
Get help from a professional if are stuck in your car and DIY solutions such as shoestrings or wedges or wire hooks don't work. A locksmith or repo service provider might have lockout tools that can allow you to unlock your car without damaging it.
Make sure you use them correctly when they are available. Most importantly, know where to insert the wedge tool. A lot of people place the wedge tool in the top corner of the door which is the most vulnerable. This is not a good idea as you're more likely to harm the weather stripping as well as the wires inside the door. Instead, place the wedge in the largest area of the gap you can see and in the area where it will have maximum leverage.
The Pump Wedge is an inflatable wedge made of heavy duty vinyl that won't mar the surface. It is able to slide between the vehicle door and the door frame. It is pumped up to create a space that will allow you to slide in other tools like an extended reach car opening tool rod. It has a hook at one end that you could make into a shape to hold the latch on the door handle.
This can be accomplished with two wooden door stops. They can be placed in the back of the car door to make the space wide enough to accommodate a rod. You could also try using an jim that is slim that is a thin metal strip that can be bent into a hook to latch on the lock and pull it up. This method is not for the faint of heart as you must be careful not damage the weather stripping that is on your door.
A shoelace is a good option, but it works only with older cars that don't have a push button for the unlock mechanism. You can tie a slip knot in the middle of the lace and then move it upwards and downwards through the door's seam until you locate the latch. Then, you can move the lace until it catches the lock, tighten the slip knot and pull upward. This method can be more difficult than the other, and it may scratch the paint or damage the door trim if not cautious.
Inflatable Wedge
If you have an inflatable wedge-shaped car door opener, you'll be able to easily unlock your car without the necessity of prying or slim jim tools. These wedges can be placed between the frame and the window of the car and when inflated, create a large opening to place a tool with a long reach, like a button grabper or slim jim. This method is much less dangerous than using a tool to pry and is a viable option even if you don't have access the screwdriver.
A coat hanger that is wired into a hook is a different option to unlock the car without damaging its exterior or interior. You can use this to grab the lock button, and it might work better than a flat screwdriver since it is less likely to cause damage to the paint of your car. However, you should check the other doors to ensure there's no other means to gain access.You can also try an old plastic bag that has been twisted into a v-shaped or noose-like shape, but you will need to be careful not to tear it because this could make the situation more difficult. This method is particularly efficient if you're struggling to locate the lock button. This trick is not as reliable as a wedge or metal coat hanger, but it could aid you in a pinch.
The best tip we can give you about being locked out of your car is to remain in a calm state and put safety first. There are many options to deal with this issue. If you've read this article, you will be prepared for any situation that could occur. If you follow the steps we've provided you will be able to unlock your car and get going without causing any damage or stress. If you're able, take your keys when you leave your car.
Shoelace
Getting locked out of your car is one of those "oh crap" moments that can ruin your day. It's a good idea to have a few items that you can use to unlock your car without breaking any windows. These items can be easily found and can save you money on locksmiths, or the time it takes to call roadside assistance.
A shoelace or twine could be used to unlock a vehicle. It is easy to use and works on numerous cars. This method is only applicable to cars with post locks. These can be stacked vertically on the window sill and are easily accessible from outside the car. Make use of a shoelace and a slip knot to get the job done. Then, wiggle the shoelace through the crack between the windows and doors. Once the slip knot is positioned, pull the ends of the string up to tighten it.
This method is more efficient for older vehicles and may not work on modern models that have an interior hook lock. A screwdriver, if it's available is a good tool to open the door in a more aggressive manner. You could also use a pole that you can pull from a nearby object like the door unlock service frame, or a piece wood, to put into the window frame. This will create space for an object to push the locking button.
While the methods mentioned above are relatively safe for most drivers, it is best to call for assistance if possible. This can help avoid further damage to your car and decrease the chance of an accident caused by stress. If you don't have a phone with a mobile number or are unable to call for help it is essential to inform trusted family members and friends know where your vehicle is. A spare set of keys should be kept in a safe location on your vehicle.
Wire Hanger
It can be a stressful experience to lock your keys inside your car. However, the trick is to remain calm and think through what your options are to retrieve them. You will not make the situation more difficult if you do not panic.
One of the best ways to do this is to use a modified wire coat hanger to get back in your vehicle. You'll need to uncoil the coat hanger until it has a straight edge and a hook, which you can use to move the Lock Out Car rod inside your door. Once you are able to reach the lock rod and you are in a position to pull it upwards to allow you to open the door.
Another option to try is using a rod or even an element of metal from the body of your vehicle. You should be sure not to damage the vehicle in this process. It is recommended to avoid having to disassemble the car. This method works better on older vehicles than modern ones. However, it can be used on models with distinctive door handles on the outside.
You can also use a shoestring and a slip knot to accomplish a similar trick. This can be done on a postlock, however it will be more difficult to maneuver as you will rely on the tension of the string to nab it. You can do this by threading a shoestring through the tiny hole in the weatherstripping of your vehicle's doors. Once the shoestring is through the weatherstripping, pull it tight to create a tight loop that snaps around the lock. If you're lucky, the lock will be placed in the correct spot.