How To Get Keys Out Of Locked Car With Automatic Locks
Have you ever had that sinking feeling when you realise your keys are locked inside your car with the doors shut? It’s one of those moments that can make your heart skip a beat.
However, there are ways to retrieve your car keys safely without breaking a sweat or your car windows.
This article will provide simple yet effective tips for getting the keys out of a locked car with automatic locks.
Let’s dive in.
How To Get Keys Locked In Car
Following one of the methods below can help you get the car keys out of a locked car without causing a disaster.
Get A Spare Key
If someone else in your family has a spare key or you have one at home, call them and check if they can bring it to you. Sometimes, it may take a few minutes for your family member or a friend to bring it to you, but this option is the cheapest, and there’ll be no damage to your car.
Pro Tip: Walk around your car and check if any of the other doors are open. Sometimes, you might have locked only the driver’s door, and others might be unlocked. In a tense situation, it’s normal to forget about these.
Call A Locksmith Or Roadside Assistance
If you’re in a location where you can quickly get a locksmith or roadside assistance, you can call up for a professional service.
Roadside assistance has all the tools to unlock your car door without causing any damage to it.
Sometimes, your insurance may cover the roadside assistance service. Ensure you’re aware of what is covered under your insurance policy.
If you’re near the Manchester area, you can contact a 24-hour auto locksmith in Manchester for help.
Open The Door Lock With A Tool
If you are unable to contact a friend to get the spare key and there is no roadside assistance nearby, you can use one of the following DIY tools to try to unlock your car.
Wire Coat Hanger
You can use a wire coat hanger to unlock a car door. First, straighten out the wire hanger so that it’s long enough to reach the unlock button. Next, bend one end of the wire hanger into a V shape. This is to grip the unlock button.
You will have to try different sizes of V-shapes until you get the one that tightly grips the unlock button.
Now, you have to pry out the window slightly. To do this, slide a wedge between the window and the door frame and pry it open. Be careful while doing this, as too much pressure will crack the window.
After prying the window, place a rubber or a folded piece of cloth to hold it in place. Then, slide the wire hanger into the top corner of the window panel and wiggle it around until you catch the lock post.
You may have to try this several times. When you catch the lock post with the V-shaped hook tightly, pull the hanger back. Your car door is unlocked now, and you can get your keys.
Note: Use a plier to straighten out the hanger, and wear gloves to prevent injury to your hands while straightening it.
Slim Jim
A locksmith commonly uses slim jims to unlock locked cars as it doesn’t cause any damage to the locking mechanism. You can find slim jims in the auto kits sold in the market. However, you must use it correctly for the best results.
First, place a wedge between the car window and the door frame and create a gap. Slip the slim jim through it, locate the locking cylinder, and pull or push through it until the door is unlocked.
It’s not over yet. You must remove the slim jim carefully from the locking cylinder. If the hook tangles with any wire, gently wiggle it free.
It’s important to remember that slim jims work best for cars with manual locks, but it won’t work for some newer vehicles. Why? Some newer cars have a shielding mechanism to prevent slim jims from reaching the locking mechanism.
So, first, check your car’s wiring diagram and determine whether the slim jim would be effective or not. Remember that it won’t be effective for most new models.
Inflatable Wedge
An inflatable wedge, also known as an air wedge, is a bag to which you can pump air with a hand pump. Along with an air wedge, you need a long rod or a picker tool to unlock your car door.
Insert the air wedge between the window and the door frame and pump air in using a hand pump. Do not pump too much air, as it can break the glass or damage the car door. Pump enough air to be able to insert the rod into the door lock.
Put the rod or the picker through the gap and wiggle it here and there until it reaches the locking cylinder. Now, you can unlock the car door with this rod.
You can buy air wedges and picker tools from vendors who sell auto kits. Keep them in an easily accessible place for an emergency.
Air wedges prevent scraping of paint from your vehicle, while metal tools may damage the vehicle paint.
Shoelace
Create a slipknot with shoelaces. Insert the end of the slipknot at the top of the car door past the weatherstrip. The best place to insert the shoelace is the upper right corner of the driver’s seat.
Loop the slipknot around the lock mechanism and pull it up to unlock the door.
If your car door unlocks by pulling the door handle from inside, loop the string around the door handle and pull it.
Remove the shoelace immediately. Your shoelace might be frayed a little after this, but you’ll be able to use it. You can use a string or fishing line in the same way to unlock a manual lock.
Windshield Wiper
You can use the windshield wiper of your car to unlock the car door. First, remove the wiper blade from one of the windshield wipers by undoing the hook.
If the window is slightly open, insert the wiper blade through the gap until you reach the lock button. If the window is closed, you must pry it open slightly using a wedge.
Insert the wiper blade, find the unlock button, and press it. This method can also be used to unlock manual locks.
Use A Mobile App
Some newer cars come with mobile apps that allow you to unlock your car remotely and retrieve keys from inside if you accidentally lock it in.
You can download the specific app from the Play Store or App Store, sign up, and pair your vehicle. Then you can use the app to lock, unlock doors, start, stop, and activate headlights, immobilise the vehicle if it’s stolen, and other features.
There are options to store information about services that provide assistance unlocking car doors. So, if your car supports this technology, ensure to install the app and set up the necessary settings.
Read this article to understand more about electric vehicles.
How Does A Car’s Locking Mechanism Work?
A car’s locking mechanism is designed to provide security against car theft, as the system can detect only the key that’s specifically designed for that car. Having a basic knowledge of how it works will be helpful in an emergency.
The lock cylinder has a series of pins. When you insert the specific key into it, the pins rise to a specific height and align with the shear line.
Once aligned, you can turn the lock cylinder. The lock cylinder is connected to a series of rods (latch and deadbolt) that control the car’s opening and closing.
The latch engages with a striker plate on the door frame, while the deadbolt provides additional security by holding the latch in place.
When you disengage the locking cylinder, the latch and the deadbolt move out of place, allowing you to unlock your car.
These days, many cars come with automatic locks. They provide an additional layer of security, but it’s difficult to replace locks and keys if they break or are lost.
Tip: If you are unsure how to unlock your vehicle during a lockout or if you don’t have all the necessary tools, it’s better to call a professional locksmith.
Some Tips To Prevent Future Lockouts
Below are some practical tips to prevent future lockouts.
Keep an extra set of keys in your wallet or anywhere easily accessible in an emergency. Give a spare key to a trusted friend or a family member.
Avoid rushing when you’re getting in and out of the vehicle. Ensure the vehicle door is properly closed before walking away.
Invest in an alarm system that will notify you when your vehicle is in trouble or the keys are locked inside.
Install a key finder app on your mobile and add the necessary settings so that you can easily find your car keys if you lose them.
Upgrade your car locks to a keyless entry system, so you don’t need a key fob to lock and unlock your vehicle.
Attach a magnetic box to the underside of your car and keep a spare key in it.
Carry an auto kit with slim Jim, a picker, and other tools for car repairs or accidental lockouts.
Keep the contact numbers of a locksmith or roadside assistance services in areas you frequently visit.
In Summary
If you accidentally lock the keys inside the car, there are several methods for opening the door. First, you must use the spare key if you have it. If you don’t have the spare key on you, call a friend or family member and get it.
If you don’t have a spare key, you can call roadside assistance or a locksmith. You can also unlock the car using a DIY tool like a coat hanger, inflatable wedge, string, shoelace, or a tool like a slim jim.
In newer cars, mobile apps have replaced keys. You can use the mobile app to unlock the car and retrieve the keys.
Carry a spare key with you at all times and keep the necessary tools to prevent future lockouts.
FAQs
1. What To Do If I Accidentally Locked My Keys In My Car?
You can use a slim jim, fishing line, coat hanger, inflatable wedge, or any other tool to unlock the door and get your car keys out. If your car is a newer model, you can use the mobile app to unlock it. You can also call a locksmith or roadside assistance services for help.
2. Can I Unlock My Car Door With A Tennis Ball?
You can use a tennis ball to create pressure to unlock a locked car door. However, this works only for vehicles with manual locks; it doesn’t work for vehicles with electronic locking systems.
3. Can I Use A Smartphone App To Unlock A Locked Car Door?
Yes. You can unlock some cars remotely with an app, and you don’t need car keys. You should have installed the app and paired it with your car. Ensure your car supports the technology and you have a strong internet connection for this.
