Keys locked in your car? Here are 6 things to try

In case of emergencies

First things first:

If your keys are locked in the car and it’s an emergency, you should call 911. An emergency might mean a young child has locked themself inside, particularly if the weather is hot (or even warm). In hot weather, conditions inside a car can become dangerous for a child within 10 minutes.¹

Use your best judgment as to whether the situation warrants an emergency call; you could also call the police non-emergency line and ask them to send an officer to help. If your pet is locked inside the vehicle, you can call police or animal control, too — but hopefully, you aren’t leaving your pet in the car in the first place.

Try easy things first

Before you take desperate measures to unlock your car, take a deep breath and consider the obvious solutions — just in case you get lucky.

1. Try each door

It’s not likely, but it is possible that only the door you’ve been trying to open is locked. Test every door on the car. Try the trunk, too. While you’re at it, confirm that none of the windows are open. People often panic and simply don’t notice they’ve got an easy way in.

2. Get the spare keys

If you’re at home, hopefully you’ve got spare keys stashed somewhere. If you’re not at home, call someone who can get your spare keys and bring them to you. It might take a while, but it’s probably just as fast as calling a locksmith — and definitely cheaper.

3. Use the app or number pad

Many late-model vehicles can connect to a mobile app, like FordPass or myChevrolet, which allows the user to remotely unlock the vehicle. These need to be set up inside the vehicle, so install and connect the app when you first get the car, so it’s always ready.

If your vehicle has a numerical keypad to unlock the doors, enter either your personal code or the factory-set code — assuming you know what they are.

Call for help

If you don’t have a way to get in using the easy methods, you can always call a professional.

4. Call roadside assistance

Roadside assistance programs usually cover having someone come and unlock your door. If you’re enrolled in such a program, give them a call. You might have roadside assistance through your car dealership, a program like CAA, or elsewhere. Some credit cards even include roadside assistance as a perk.

Most such programs impose a short waiting period after you sign up before you can use them. So, if you don’t already have roadside assistance, you may be unable to sign up from the parking lot and use it immediately. Some allow instant usage in exchange for an added fee.

5. Call a locksmith

If you don’t have roadside assistance, you’ll have to call a locksmith directly. Most towing companies also offer vehicle unlocking services. Expect to pay at least $50 to $100 for this, and possibly more if it’s after hours or far from the dispatch location. Make sure you get a written quote on the price so you aren’t unpleasantly surprised.

One last DIY solution

If all else fails, getting into a locked car without keys is possible. Of course, this amounts to breaking into your own car, so be aware that these methods can damage your vehicle — damage that your car insurance or warranty won’t cover. It’s much safer to have a professional do it.

You’ll also need to have access to the right tools. Depending on where you are, you might not have what you need. Ask around, especially if you’re parked at a business — you’re probably not the first person they’ve seen locked out. If you get lucky, someone will have the tools and the know-how to unlock your car. Though, some people will decline to help for liability reasons, just in case the door gets damaged in the attempt.

Failing that, you can try getting into your car with some basic, easy-to-find items:

6. Use a coat hanger

You’ve probably seen, at least on video, someone break into a car using a slim jim, coat hanger, or similar tool. The method of sliding a hook down into the door and manually pulling the locking mechanism doesn’t typically work on new vehicles — it’s also easy to damage the lock mechanism. As such, we don’t recommend trying the slim jim method unless you know what you’re doing.

However, if you do happen to have a coat hanger or similar implement, you might be able to unlock the doors a different way. This method will likely only work with power locks, but may work with some manual locks depending on the car.

You’ll need a straightened coat hanger, a very thin wedge (like a putty knife), and a cloth or strip of rubber. Use the wedge to very carefully create an opening between the top of the car door and the body. If you overdo it, it’s possible to break the window glass. When you’ve pried open a slot, use the cloth or rubber to keep it open. Then, slide the coat hanger inside and press the unlock button.

There are other DIY methods to unlock a car door, such as using an inflatable wedge. But, most methods are best left to professionals — don’t hesitate to call a pro if you’re not confident in your own abilities.

Sources

1. Mendoza, Jordan. “How hot does a parked car actually get? In just 10 minutes, the heat can be ‘miserable.’” USA Today, 27 July 2022, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/07/27/hot-cars-how-hot-inside-car-how-long/10099745002/.

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