Millions of drivers are locked out of cars yearly, and now you’re one of them. Luckily, newer cars make it much more challenging to do this, but these tricks can be lifesavers if you find yourself standing outside your locked car with your keys in the cup holder. Before you send out the “locked keys in car” SOS text, learn how to Car door unlock safety without your keys with these simple (and cheap!) methods.
How To Get Keys Out Of Locked Car With Windows Up
1. Examine Your Locks
If you realize, “OMG, I locked my keys in my car,” and begin to panic, the first step is to take a deep breath. The next step is to investigate your locks. The good news is that you may gain access by checking all your automobile doors.
If you locked your keys in the car or misplaced them, the door lock may have failed to close correctly. Try all automobile doors and windows to test if you can get in. If you are successful and get in this manner, congratulations! Just make sure to repair the broken lock after you’ve retrieved your car keys because open car doors are one of the leading causes of car break-ins.
If you have your keys, but your car door lock is broken or malfunctioning, you can enter the vehicle through the trunk.
Even if you don’t have a hatchback, you can enter your vehicle and unlock the doors through the trunk. If you have a physical key, try to open the door, as there may be a problem with your car’s remote stopping you from entering the vehicle.
2. Make A Call To A Friend Or Family Member
If you lock your keys in your automobile, it’s natural to be concerned about how the problem will be resolved. Even if it does not appear to be a full-fledged roadside emergency, being locked out of car might place you in a risky position. That is why it is critical to contact a friend or family member if one is close.
You put yourself at risk by having to rely on strangers or stand by the side of the road, so it’s always a good idea to let people in your life know where you are and what’s going on. Suppose they can’t assist you in figuring out how to get into a locked automobile. In that case, they can offer much-needed emotional support, and knowing your whereabouts can be a helpful safety step.
In the best-case situation, a family member or acquaintance has a spare key that you can use to open your automobile and resolve the problem. Even if they don’t have a key, they could be able to assist you by giving you some items to assist you in manually unlocking the door. Shoelaces (or analogous string), a doorstop, and a wire coat hanger, to mention a few tools that you may find helpful (more on that later).
3. Make Use of Your Shoelace
If you’re trying to figure out how the Door unlocks, you’re probably not thinking about your shoes. Your shoelace may be able to assist you in opening your vehicle.
Unfortunately, this does not work with all car locks. This requires that your vehicle have post locks, which are the type of locks that stick straight up on the window sill.
You pull up to unlock them and see them clearly from the car’s exterior. Here’s what you should do if you have that type of automobile lock:
- Begin by untying the shoelaces on one of your shoes.
- Five inches from the middle of the lace cast an eyeball.
- At that moment, tie a slip knot.
- Work the shoelace at the midpoint between the door and the car’s doorframe, holding one end of the lace at the top of the window and the other at the side where the door would open.
- Loop the slip knot around the post lock with a flossing motion.
- Pull on both ends of the shoelace to hold the post and pull upward, restricting/tightening the knot.
Hopefully, this will assist you in unlocking your vehicle. If you’re wearing slip-on shoes or sandals and don’t have shoes with laces, see if you can borrow someone else’s shoelaces.
4. Use Do-It-Yourself Tools To Get Inside
When it comes to car buying advice, chances are you didn’t think about whether your vehicle had post-locks. If your automobile lacks these types of locks, the good news is that there are various do-it-yourself options for getting back into your locked car. Here are some resources to help you:
A Coat Hook
If you have horizontal locks, you can make a hook out of a coat hanger by untwisting and shaping it. After that, try using the car door and maneuvering the turn around the lock. Pull it to check if it unlocks.
A Screwdriver As Well As A Metal Rod
If you don’t have the keys, you can try to unlock your car door with a screwdriver and a metal rod. Open some room with the screwdriver, then insert the metal rod into the lock to test whether it unlocks. Just be cautious because these tools can cause damage to the automobile.
Spatula
If you’re attempting to figure out how to get into a locked car, cooking equipment like a spatula may come in handy. Place a spatula between the car doors to make space and pry the door open. You can unlock the door from the inside by opening it with a spatula.
An Air Bag Pump Wedge
You can also purchase an airbag pump wedge to unlock your automobile door. Using this gadget, air is pumped between the automobile doors to create a large enough door opening to employ tools to unlock the car efficiently.
Plastic
If you have a plastic strip, fold it into a U-shape, lay the bottom closed portion between the door jambs, and lift it.
5. Get Professional Help
Having your car keys locked inside is terrible enough. Sometimes, you don’t have the I don’t energy to do it yourself, or your DIY attempts fail. If you’ve tried and have to figure out how to unlock a locked car, it’s time to call the experts.
Locksmith
If you don’t have roadside assistance, call a vehicle locksmith to get into your locked automobile. They will be able to access your car without causing any damage and will be able to repair any faulty locks that may have caused this situation. Furthermore, a car locksmith can produce new ones if your keys are lost or broken.
What Are The Tools You Can Improvise To Unlock Your Car?
Getting locked out of car with your keys inside is stressful. Knowing that your keys are right there, but you can’t get to them is infuriating. Fortunately, you may make a few essential tools to unlock your car without causing any damage. Here are some indispensable DIY tools for getting back inside your vehicle:
Hanger for wires
A wire hanger is a well-known gadget for opening car doors. It is easily bent into a long, narrow shape that can be utilized from the outside to operate the lock mechanism. This is a frequent and efficient method of unlocking an automobile door.
Shoestring
Another tool for unlocking a car door is a shoestring. The shoestring can be put into the door frame and used to pull the lock mechanism up from the inside by tying it into a slip knot.
Slim Jim
A slim jim is a long, flat piece of metal designed to be slid down the window and used to control the lock mechanism from the inside. Locksmiths and police enforcement officers frequently use this gadget to unlock autos.
Wedge
A wedge is a tool for creating a tiny gap between the door and the car frame. This gap can be used to insert a tool to unlock the door. Wedges can be produced from various materials, including rubber doorstops and hardwood wedges.
Card made of plastic
For example, a credit card or ID card can unlock a car door by slipping it between the door and the frame. You may alter the lock mechanism from the inside by manipulating the card.
Make Use of A Smartphone App
Some modern automobile models include apps that can remotely open the doors. Use the app to unlock the door if you have it.
Remembering that these tools should only be used in an emergency is critical. To avoid breaking your car’s lock or door, it’s better to consult a professional locksmith if you’re not sure about your abilities to utilize these tools. It’s also vital to avoid injury to use these instruments with prudence.
Lockout Prevention Car And Home Tips
locked out of cars should always be avoided rather than resolved, although accidents do happen. Here are some helpful hints for preventing car and home lockouts:
- Before leaving your house or vehicle, always double-check your pockets and luggage. Check that all doors and windows are properly shut, especially when thieves are most active at night.
- Some may argue that storing a spare key outside your home or vehicle is dangerous, but there are safe ways. Consider distributing a spare key to a trusted neighbor or a close family member. Hide one in plain sight by placing it under a doormat, a potted plant, or on top of the exterior lights above the front door.
- Our client once told us they had an extra house key buried in a phony rock near their front door. However, that was insufficiently secure because it was too easy for anyone to notice and navigate. Instead of hiding them in plain sight, conceal your spare keys in places only you or someone you trust can identify.
- Finally, consider improving your locks and security systems to improve safety in your home and car. External doors should have British Standard locks and meet the requirements of insurance policies. Insurance providers may also require additional home security measures such as alarm systems, secure safes, and CCTV.
The Bottom Line
Follow these instructions if you’ve been locked out of a car and are attempting to find out how to get into a locked automobile. There are numerous methods for opening a locked out of car, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional. Just be careful not to break the glass or use potentially harmful instruments like thin jibs, which are especially risky because newer automobiles include essential cables in these places. You can board your car safely if you use the choices listed above. The dependable Reliableroadside is available to supply any service; please contact us.
FAQ: Locked Out Of Cars
WHEN WILL THE LOCKSMITH GET TO MY LOCATION?
Our mobile locksmiths will be dispatched immediately to your location and arrive on average in 15-25 minutes. This depends on distance, location, and time of day, but be assured that once you phone us, you will have assistance in no time.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO UNLOCK A CAR DOOR?
This service usually takes around 5 minutes, but it may take a little longer if you have special high-security locks or are dealing with an unusual or historic vehicle.
WILL UNLOCKING MY CAR DOORS HARMFULLY AFFECT MY VEHICLE?
Certainly not. Our locksmiths go to great lengths to ensure that cars are not harmed during unlocking. However, in cases where automobiles are deadlocked, and keys are trapped in the trunk, the trunk may need to be drilled and new locks installed.
HOW MUCH DO CAR LOCKOUT SERVICES COST ON AVERAGE?
These services typically cost between $30 and $40, although the price is dictated by other criteria such as location, service time, and materials.
I BEEN LOCKED OUT OF CAR! WHICH ACTION SHOULD I TAKE?
Maintain your cool. Check that your automobile is not in a dangerous area, and move out of the way of oncoming traffic or active parking lots. Keep a safe distance from us and call us as soon as possible.
EVER FIND IT DIFFICULT TO UNLOCK A CAR DOOR?
We’ve never had a car door that we couldn’t open, but nothing is impossible. That being said, we strongly doubt we’ll ever come across a car (or any type of!) door that we can’t open – it’s simply what qualifies us as experienced automotive locksmiths!
