What to Do When You’re Locked Out of Your Car?

What to Do When You’re Locked Out of Your Car?

If you see your keys sitting on your car’s center console and cannot unlock your car door, you’ll know that your keys are locked in your car. Some Redditors say that you can also call the police, who will unlock your car for free if you’re locked out of your vehicle with no car keys. 

You may not be in a rush in non-emergency situations, but what if you have a small child or pet locked inside? If it’s an emergency, always call 911; don’t wait for roadside assistance!

Other Redditors say you should call a locksmith to unlock a car door or tow truck. So what should you do to get back into your car fast when you’ve locked your keys, especially if you’re hundreds of miles from home? Your best bet is to call up for automotive locksmith services!

Someone from Quora says that it’s essential always to have a spare key and a lockout kit to get inside the car. In this blog, we’re going to give you some tips on how to unlock your vehicle if you don’t have a spare key. Here’s the takeaway on eight things you can do to get back inside your car, even with an alarm system.

Emergency Situations

Some people still unlock their cars manually; even newer cars use key fobs, touchpads, and remote unlock sensors. If you’ve accidentally locked a small child or pet inside the vehicle, then call for help and also call 911, especially if the weather’s hot.

“Always lock your car using your key fob or physical key. Manually locking from the inside can lead to accidental lockouts. Doing so ensures that you have your key in hand rather than leaving it in the ignition, on the seat, or in a cupholder where it will taunt you upon lockout,” advises AAA.

Always Have a Spare Key

You can get locked out of your car for many reasons, like locking your keys inside the car, misplacing your keys, or even breaking your key when you’re trying to lock or unlock. When your keys are locked inside the car, you should have a place to get your spare key.

If you’ve left the keys in the car and are thinking about the best ways to open the door without causing any damage, you may have a family member or good friend who can quickly bring you a spare key.

Use a String to Unlock the Car Door

“A string or fishing line can unlock manual door locks if you have an older vehicle. It may be a tricky solution for some, and you’ll need several feet of string to make this work,” says Longo Toyota.

• Make a loop in the middle of the string, shoelace, fishing line, or twine.
• Fish it into the opening to try and hook the string onto the door lock.
• Aim for the upper right corner of the driver’s door via the door seam. 
• Pull up on the lock to try and open the lock.

Try a Wire Clothes Hanger

If you have a locked car without keys, a wire coat hanger or Slim-Jim may unlock your car without keys. “You need to straighten the hanger and insert it into the gap in the door frame. Use the hanger to manipulate the lock to pop it into the unlock position,” explains Longo Toyota.

Depending on the car, wire clothes hangers work best when unlocking older car models. Toyota says that if you don’t have a wire coat hanger, you can unlock your door with a sturdy strip of plastic. “It should be manipulated into the right shape and fit into the door seam; you should be able to make it work.”

Reach Out to Towing Services or a Locksmith

If you don’t have the necessary tools or a key that works, call a professional locksmith for automotive locksmith services.

A professional locksmith or towing service will have the necessary tools. If you call a car tow, this will save you time. Roadside assistance is often available as part of your car insurance plan and can help you get back into your car without damage to the car door.

Some insurance companies will offer a certain amount of free lockout services each year. If you call a tow because you do not have roadside assistance, automotive locksmith services and towing companies can help you with lockouts in the future.

Inflatable Wedge

Air wedges are sometimes rubber; some will feature professional-grade, ballistic nylon or vinyl with an extra-thick seal to ensure a prolonged lifespan. Some air wedges feature a twist valve that is prone to breaking easily.

The pump wedge is an inflatable, high-quality wedge that slides between the car door and the weather stripping on the door frame. Air wedges help you get inside a car if you don’t want to call the locksmith or car dealership. All you need to do is to insert it into the door.

Police Non-Emergency or Emergency

If you have an animal inside your car and need to unlock the door quickly, you cannot wait for help to arrive. There’s no time to look for a hanger or piece of string. In this situation, time is of the essence, and you do not have time to wait for a locksmith.

“In these situations, the police may be able to assist immediately, whether using a slim jim that can open the door or safely breaking the window. You can always replace the auto glass, but you cannot replace a life,” adds Longo Toyota.

Automotive Locksmith Services

Automotive locksmith services by Locksmith United can help you get back into your car without a key if you don’t have roadside assistance as part of your car insurance plan. However, if you’re purchasing a new car, always get an extra remote key fob. 

Car dealerships that carry many of the newer car models have features that make modern cars a lot safer if you’ve locked the keys in your car. These features prevent you from locking yourself out. To avoid future lockouts, try always to carry a spare key!