What To Do When The Automobile Key is Locked Inside? Car Key Lockout

By: Admin Sep 22, 2022

Every year, millions of drivers lock their keys in their cars—and now you're one of them. Fortunately, contemporary cars make this much more difficult, but if you find yourself standing outside your locked car with your keys in the cup holder, these tactics can come in handy. Before you text "locked keys in the car," discover how to unlock a car door without your keys with these simple (and inexpensive!) methods. Stay safe on the road, too, with these automobile safety features, hidden applications for your key fob, and driving aids.

 

What do I do if I locked my keys in the car?


 

According to Mark Takahashi, senior reviews editor at Edmunds, "it's becoming significantly more difficult for users to get locked out of their automobiles, as most transponder keys won't enable that to happen." According to Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader, "the idea of locking keys in automobiles is becoming a thing of the past." If you do get locked out, Moody suggests calling a locksmith, roadside assistance agency, or the police, depending on the severity of the case.

Will the police unlock your car for free?

In a high-risk situation, such as if a child or animal is trapped inside the car, call 911 immediately and inform them of your vehicle's make and model, as well as where you are. Emergency services, such as the police and fire departments, will come faster than a locksmith or roadside help. According to Moody, the cops frequently shatter the window or use a small metal device that can unlock the door without a key. While they will not charge you for the service, you should only call them in an emergency because you will be responsible for the cost of repairing the damaged window.

How do you unlock your car with keys inside?

Do you want to save money on a costly call to a locksmith or roadside help professional? Fortunately, if you're patient and handy with tools, there are various less expensive ways to unlock your automobile without keys. Here's how to get your keys out of a locked automobile without calling a locksmith. And in the future, use these simple strategies to avoid losing your keys (or anything else).

How do you unlock a car with a cell phone?


 

You can open your car without breaking the bank—or a window—thanks to an increasing variety of car apps for your smartphone. Many new vehicles include free Apple and Android apps that allow drivers to manage their vehicles without using keys. The apps transform cellphones into second key fobs, allowing users to remotely lock, unlock, and even start their vehicles. Takahashi explains, "The key is to pair [your car key] with the app before you lock yourself out." Install the manufacturer's app for the next time your keys become locked in your car if you own a new Hyundai, GM/Chevrolet, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, Ford, or Honda model.

How do you unlock a car with a shoelace?

If you have an older automobile with manual locks and are wearing shoes with shoelaces, you may not need to call roadside help. Simply create a loop the size of your index finger by tying a slipknot in the center of the shoelace. After that, twist the shoelace around the right corner of the driver's side door until the slip knot is within the seam. Holding the shoelace with both hands, move it back and forth like you're flossing a massive tooth. This will move the slip knot further down the glass and closer to the automobile door lock. Manipulate the loop over the lock with care, then pull the ends of the string to tighten the loop. When you believe you have a firm grip on the lock, slowly pull it up to unlock the automobile door. Ta-da! You've been accepted! You can also substitute a strong piece of string for the shoelace. Never leave home without one of these basics—or any of the other items on our road trip essentials list.

How do you unlock a car with a hanger?

The coat hanger approach is a tried-and-true technique that you've certainly seen in a few movies. This method, like the shoelace trick, is only applicable to older vehicles with manual locks. All you'll need are pliers and a thin wire coat hanger. "Use the pliers to unravel the coat hanger so you have one hooked side and one straight," explains Laura Gonzales, marketing manager at Audi Bellevue. "Slid the coat hanger between the window and the weather stripping." Once the hook is below the window, begin fishing for the control arm. When you find it, pull up with the hook and your door will open." Just so you know, that's not the only secret your locksmith won't reveal to you.

How do you unlock a car with a bobby pin?

It can't hurt to try this old-school method on a manual auto-lock if you only have bobby pins and time. Pull apart the second pin, gently bending one of its tips, and bend the first pin at a 90-degree angle. Insert the bent side of the first pin into the lock and the straight side of the second pin into the lock. Move the second pin around inside the lock while holding the first one still until it snaps open. However, if you perform this method incorrectly, it may cause harm to your vehicle. If you are concerned about damage, you may always leave it to the specialists and ask for assistance. These 99 other unusual uses for everyday home products will astound you as well.

How do you unlock a car with a wedge?

Invest in an automobile toolbox that includes a curved or inflated window wedge if you want to unlock a car without keys like a pro. Just keep in mind that using a wedge to open a car can be tricky, according to Bill Evans, manager of J&E Auto Body in Clark, New Jersey. Begin by prying out the top of the door frame with a pry tool and inserting the wedge to hold the door frame out. Then, using a long, narrow rod (a coat hanger might suffice), push the unlock button. "Triple A drivers and tow truck drivers normally do it this way, and we do it as well," Evans explains. This method is applicable to both old and new car models.

 

However, there is a drawback. "During this operation, even the most skilled folks will scuff the paint or tear the weather stripping," Evans explains. "You may need to see a body shop to realign the top of the door frame since occasionally they remain bent out away from the body after the wedge is used." Before employing a wedge to get out of your "locked keys in car" situation, make sure the repair expenses are worth it.