Tricks to Unlock Your Car Without Roadside Assistance
Imagine returning to your vehicle after a long day, and realizing you locked your keys inside. This can be a very frustrating and annoying situation, but you can repair it without calling roadside assistance.
Stay calm and assess the situation. If possible, you should use non-destructive methods to gain access to the vehicle.
1. Hiding behind your tires
Imagine getting out of your car after a long day and realizing that you locked your keys inside. It's a horrible feeling. If you're headed to work or going to the store it happens to a lot of people and can be extremely stressful.
Hide your spare key on or around your car. This is among the easiest methods to avoid being stuck. However, car lockouts to store your spare key is not on your vehicle itself but in a secure and accessible location.
It is advisable to keep your spare keys behind your tires because it's not the most private spot and can be easily noticed by people who are watching. A thief can easily open your door to grab the keys.
The wheel well is a ideal place to keep the spare key. It's an ideal spot since it's not visible and is difficult to access without prior knowledge. It's also a great place because it protects your spare key from dust and weather.
You can also use an accessory lock box to your door handle to store keys that you have left. These boxes are usually designed for homes but they can be slapped onto the handle of your car and appear like a normal doorknob. If you're concerned about scratching your car door there are lockboxes made of rubber casings that are designed to prevent scratches.
2. The license plate is hidden behind your vehicle
The key fob is a crucial tool to lock and unlock your vehicle, but it can be easy to forget it when you're running out the door. If you have an extra key fob or a different method to unlock your vehicle, putting it under your license plate is a possibility. The key fob is protected from water, dirt and other elements that could cause damage to it. You will still be in a position to open the doors even if you're locked out.
If you don't have a spare key fob, use a coat hanger. It's a cheap and easy way to break in to your vehicle, and it will not damage or scratch it. You can purchase hangers for coats at the majority of supermarkets or pharmacies, including discount stores or find one in your emergency kit.
Another option is to wedge your keys in the spot where you open the cap on your gas. Be sure to not place the keys too far or they will be hard to reach. Certain cars may have a space behind the windshield wiper hinges where you can put your keys but this could be dangerous if someone is driving your car.
The best way to prevent locking your keys inside your car is to never do it. Many newer vehicles have safety features to prevent you from locking your keys inside your car. Roadside assistance providers also provide innovative services like remote unlocking.
3. The tailpipe is hidden behind your vehicle
A majority of newer vehicles have key fobs that lock the doors with a simple click. However, older vehicles might require some extra effort to unlock the door manually. It's a great idea to keep an extra car key in your vehicle. If you're caught in a pinch, you can use tools like pliers or screwdrivers to make space in the door frame, or an inflatable blood pressure cuff to create an opening that you can access your keys.
If you don't have any of these tools, a twine or shoelace can also be used to get into the vehicle locked. Simply connect the string to the hole in the door's weather strip, and either pull it upwards to unlock the lock or, if you own a post lock, press on the top of the post using a metal rod and watch as it jiggles into the open position.
You can also place valuables behind the air vents in your car. This way, you won't be concerned about them being crushed when you turn the vent on. Some cars have deep recesses behind the windshield wipers. The keys can be tucked in here could be a great option to keep them out of sight, but make sure not to place them too far or you might hear them jingle as you walk away from your vehicle.
4. You're hiding behind your grille
Making a phone call to a family member or friend is the best option when you're locked out of your vehicle. They can help calm your nerves and may even have tools to help you get back into your car. You can unlock your car if do not know anyone in the area.
First, check if the key fob is working properly. Valet keys usually do not have a chip, and therefore are unable to start the car. If this is the issue Try replacing the battery in the keyfob and see if this resolves the problem.
You could also try to manually lock your vehicle using the handle. Most automobiles have a manual lock on the door handle, which can be activated by turning the knob towards the trunk or the hood. This method should work in most cases, but if not then you might need to look for a different method.
Another option is to utilize a coat hanger made of wire to unlock your vehicle. Straighten the hanger out and place it inside the door's seal frame just above the lock/unlock button. After that, carefully maneuver the hook end of the hanger, and gently insert it into the lock button.
If you've tried all these methods but aren't able to find a way to unlock your car, it's time to call the professionals. Professional locksmiths can be expensive however they're worth it if locked your keys inside your vehicle and don't have a spare.
5. Hide behind your Hood
The frightening moment when you realize you locked your keys in your car isn't just a hassle; it can be dangerous especially if you have a kid or pet in the car. You may be in a panic and be wondering how you'll ever get out, but it is crucial to stay calm. Try to think of ways to unlock the car door.
One of the most popular methods to unlock your car without keys is to make use of a modified coat hanger. To accomplish this, straighten the coat hanger and insert it into the lock. Then, you can manipulate the hook to pop open the door and then unlock the vehicle. You could also use pliers or a rod made of metal in the event that you don't have a wire hanger. These tools might be more difficult to use, but they can assist you in getting into your car.
Keep an extra car key with you to prevent locking the keys in your vehicle. This is done by storing the key in a secure place that a burglar won't see at it, or keeping it on your person all the time. You can also purchase a magnetic lockbox for your spare keys. You can also leave keys with someone you trust. Be sure they know how to open your car in an emergency.
6. Hide behind your wheels
Imagine you're on your way to work or heading home after a long day and you lock your keys inside the car. Millions of people experience this type of nightmare each year. When this happens, the best thing to do is to remain at peace and figure out what to do. There are many methods to get the keys back into the car. You can use a Slim Jim, inflatables wedges, or even a Bobbypin.
You can also keep a spare keys in your car to prevent getting locked out in the future. Certain vehicles come with innovative features that prevent you from locking your keys in the car. Other vehicles have services like OnStar which can allow you to access your car from a distance. If you do not have these features, place your spare keys in a place in a place where thieves won't be in a position to view it.
It's probably time to call a locksmith if you can't find your car keys, or if none of these methods work. There's no need to panic if you lock your keys inside the car and a quick call to a locksmith could save you a lot of hassle and stress. To avoid this situation in the future, be sure to check your pockets prior to leaving and think about keeping an extra key in a safe place. Installing an alarm system is a great idea. Also, don't rush when getting into and out of your car.