Tricks to Unlock Your Car Without Roadside Assistance
Imagine coming home after a long day at work and finding that you've locked your keys inside your car. This is a painful and frustrating experience, but you can fix it without calling roadside assistance.
Be calm and assess the situation carefully. If you can, use non-destructive methods like a wedge or modified coat hanger to gain access to your vehicle.
1. Hiding behind your tires
Imagine getting to your car at the end of a tiring, long day only to discover that you've locked your keys in. It's a terrible feeling. If you're headed home from work or running to the grocery store, this happens to many people and it can be very stressful.
Put your spare key in a safe place on or around your car. This is among the most efficient methods to avoid being stuck. But the best place to keep your spare key is not in your vehicle and should be in a safe and easily accessible location.
It is advisable to avoid hiding your spare key behind your tires because it's not the most secure place and could be easily spotted by onlookers. Additionally, a thief could easily open your door and take your keys from the door.
The wheel well is another excellent place to store the spare key. It's a good place to keep your spare key because it's out of sight and difficult to access without knowing. It's also a good location to protect your spare key from dust and weather.
You can also place the lock box on the handle of your door to keep a spare key. These boxes are generally made for homes, but they can also be connected to the handle of your vehicle and look like any other doorknob. If you're worried about scratching the door of your car, there are lockboxes with rubber casing designed to avoid scratches.
2. Hide behind your license plate
It's easy to lose the key fob when hurrying out of the door. If you have an extra key fob or a different method to unlock your vehicle, hiding it under your license plate is a possibility. The key fob will be shielded from dirt, water and other elements that could damage it, but you'll still be able to access the doors in case you get locked out.
If you don't have a spare key fob, consider using a coat hanger. It's a simple and affordable way to break in to your car, and it won't scratch or damage it. You can purchase hangers for coats at the majority of grocery stores, discount stores and pharmacies or even locate one in your emergency kit.
Another option is to place your keys in the spot where you open the cap on your gas. You shouldn't place keys too far or they might be difficult to reach. You can place your keys behind the windshield wipers of certain automobiles, but it could be risky for someone else to drive your car.
Although there are some tricks that can help you when you lock your keys in your car, the most effective method is to stop yourself from doing it altogether. A lot of newer cars have security features to prevent you from locking your keys in your car. Roadside assistance providers also offer innovative services, such as remote unlocking.
3. In the shadows of your tailpipe
Many newer vehicles have a keyfob which locks the door with just a single click. Older cars may require more effort to unlock the doors manually. It's a great idea to keep a spare car key hidden in your vehicle. In the event of a crisis, you can use screwdrivers or pliers to create a space in the door frame. You can also use an inflatable blood pressure cuff.
If you don't have one of these tools a shoelace can be used. Simply thread the string through the hole in the door's weather strip. Then either pull it up to unlock the lock or, if you own a post lock, tap on the top of the post with a rod made of metal and watch it move to open.
You can also put valuables behind the air vent in your car. This way, you won't have to worry about them getting crushed when you turn the vent on. In addition, some automobiles have deep recesses where the windshield wiper hinges are located. In this area, putting the keys in could be a great option to keep them out of view however, be careful not to wedge them in too deep or you could hear them jingle as you leave your car.
4. In the shadows of your grille
Contacting your family member or a friend is the best thing to do when you are locked out of your vehicle. They can ease your anxiety and may even have tools to help to get back inside. You can unlock your car if aren't able to find anyone nearby.
Check first if the keyfob is working properly. Valet keys usually do not have chips, and aren't able to start the car. If this is the case, you should replace the battery inside the key fob and see whether that solves the issue.
You can also manually lock your vehicle using the handle. Most cars have a manual lock on the door handle that can be activated by turning the knob towards the trunk or the hood. This method should work in all cases, however, if it does not then you might need to try a different method.
You could also unlock your vehicle by using a wire hanger. Straighten the hanger and insert it into the door frame's seal above the power unlock or lock button. After that, carefully maneuver the hook end of the hanger, and gently insert it into the lock button.
If locked car tried all of these methods and can't find the solution to unlock your car, it's time to call the professionals. Professional locksmiths can be expensive, but worth it if locked your keys inside your vehicle and don't have a spare.
5. Hiding behind your hood
The dreadful moment when you realize you locked your keys in your car isn't just an inconvenience but it could be a risk especially if you have a kid or pet inside. You may be in a panic and be wondering how you'll be able to get them out, but it's important to remain calm. Try to think of ways to open the car door.
One of the most common methods to unlock your car without keys is to make use of a modified wire coat hanger. To do this, straighten the hanger and insert it into the lock. Then you can use the hook to open the door and then unlock your vehicle. You may also use pliers, or a rod of metal if you don't have a wire hanger. These tools may be more difficult to use, but they will still help you get into your car.
Another way to avoid locking your keys in your car is to keep an extra key on hand. This is done by storing it in a secure location in a place where thieves won't be able to see, or by keeping it on your person all the time. You can also buy a magnetic lockbox for your spare keys. You can also leave a spare key with someone you know and trust. Be sure that they know how to open your car in case of emergency.
6. Hiding behind your wheels
Imagine you're heading home or to work after a long, tiring day. You lock your keys inside the car. Millions of people experience this nightmare every year. If this happens, the best thing to remember is to remain calm and decide what you're going to do. There are a variety of ways to get your keys back to the car. You can use a Slim Jim, inflatables wedges or even a Bobbypin.
You can also keep a spare key in your car to prevent being locked out in future. Certain vehicles have innovative features that will stop you from locking the keys inside your vehicle. Others have services like OnStar that can help you remotely unlock your vehicle. If your vehicle does not have these features, place your spare key somewhere hidden where thieves would not be able to see it.
If you're unable to find your car keys or any of these hacks don't work, it might be time to contact a locksmith. There's no need to be worried when you lock your keys in the car and a quick phone call to a locksmith will save you lots of hassle and anxiety. To avoid this issue in the future, remember to check your pockets before leaving and think about keeping the spare key in a safe place. It's also a good idea to install an alarm system in your vehicle and ensure that you're not speeding when getting in and out of the vehicle.