Keys Locked in Car? This Quick Guide Will Save the Day
One of the most frustrating incidents that can ruin a big part of your day is being locked out of your car. Nobody wakes up and starts their day thinking, “I’ll probably lock myself out of my car today.” However, there you are, standing outside your locked car, your keys are on the front seat, and you’re probably considering smashing the window. Before you grab a rock and throw it, take a deep breath and think about it. You’re not the first person to get locked out of their car, and there are several solutions available that won’t cost you a broken window. In this guide, we will walk you through what to do if you lock your keys in your car.
How Do I Unlock the Car Door if I’ve Locked My Keys in My Car?
If your car is locked with the key inside, don’t panic and try these easy methods before calling a locksmith:
- Check for Open Windows: This doesn’t happen every day, but in some cases, you might have left a window open, allowing you to reach in and grab your key or try to unlock the car from the inside.
- Use the Spare Key: Your backup key is very important in these situations. Whether it’s at home, in your bag, or with a trusted friend or family member, get it and use it; it can save you time and money.
- Use the Mobile App: Many newer cars use advanced locking mechanisms such as digitally controlled mobile applications. Apps like MyHyundai, myChevrolet, and FordPass allow you to unlock your car door using your smartphone.
- Try a Wire Coat Hanger: If you’ve locked your keys in your car and you’re near home or a dry cleaner, get a wire coat hanger, straighten it out, and try to unlock your car with it. The straightened coat hanger method only works on cars with manual vertical locks. It can also damage your car’s interior, so be careful when attempting this method.
- Call Roadside Assistance: Calling a roadside assistance service is the most effective, cheapest, and safest solution if your car keys are locked inside your car. At Canada Direct Roadside Assistance, we provide the best locksmith services 24/7 across Canada at a competitive price.
- Call a Car Locksmith: If you aren’t subscribed to our membership program, calling a local locksmith could cost you around $80 to $150 or more. It may also take a while for them to arrive, especially during peak hours or in remote areas.
Does Car Insurance Cover Locksmith Assistance?
Standard auto insurance in Canada doesn’t cover locksmith assistance unless you purchase it as an add-on. However, many insurance providers don’t offer roadside assistance services directly, instead, they offer it through a third-party partner or let the driver get it on their own.
Canada Direct Roadside Assistance (CDRA) is a reliable and cheap roadside assistance solution for drivers who want to stay prepared for unexpected car troubles.
How to Get Keys Out of a Locked Car: 8 Ways (Manual & Auto)
There are several methods to retrieve keys from a locked car, but the best option for you depends on your vehicle type, tools, availability of a spare key, and other factors. Whether you have a classic or old car with a manual lock or a newer car with a digitally controlled lock, you should use the method that matches the technology in your car.
How to Get Keys Out of a Locked Car With Manual Locks
If you own a car that was made before the 2000s and you’ve locked keys inside the car, there are a few DIY methods that you can try to unlock the car door:
1. The Shoelace Trick
This trick requires a shoelace, a string, or a fishing line, and some serious patience. Once you’re ready with your lace, follow these steps:
- Start by tying a small loop in the middle of the shoelace and trying to slide it through the top corner of the door.
- Move it carefully and slowly toward the vertical lock and try to place the loop around the door lock. This will take several attempts, so stay calm and ensure you don’t lose the lace in the process.
- Tighten the loop around the lock and pull it upwards to unlock. Don’t pull it up until you ensure it’s tight and secure around the lock, or you’ll lose your grip and start all over again.
This method only works with vertical manual locks and can’t be used with any other type.
2. A Wire Coat Hanger
Another DIY trick to try if you’ve locked yourself out of your car is using a wire hanger, as explained below:
- Straighten the wire hanger and leave a small hook at the end; that’s what you’ll use to lift the button.
- Carefully slide the wire hanger between the door frame and the window, just above the weather stripping.
- Slowly move it around and position the hook around the button, then pull it upward to unlock.
This trick seems to work very well in movies, but in fact, it’s not as easy as it seems. It takes a lot of time and effort to work, and you’ll also be risking scratching your paint or damaging internal components.
3. The Classic Slim Jim
Many locksmiths advise against using a Slim Jim to open a locked car door if you don’t have enough experience. Although it’s a very popular tool, it can damage your car’s internal wiring, airbag system, and locking mechanism. However, if your vehicle doesn’t have side airbags, you can follow these steps:
- Insert the Slim Jim between the window and the weather stripping, ensuring you’re positioning it vertically.
- Move the tool until you manage to get a grip on the locking rod.
- Hook the rod and slowly lift it upward.
How to Get Keys Out of a Locked Car With Automatic Locks
If your locked vehicle is quipped with electronic locks, keyless entry, or push-to-start technology, these classic DIY tips won’t work. They can even cause damage to your car and lead to costly repairs.
If you’ve locked your keys in your car and you want to unlock it safely, try these methods:
1. Use the Manufacturer’s Mobile App
Many modern vehicles are equipped with digital connectivity features that allow you to control your car using the manufacturer’s mobile app. If you have a good internet signal and the app downloaded and programmed on your phone, you can easily unlock your car with a few taps. Some of the popular mobile apps for cars are:
- FordPass (Ford)
- myChevrolet (Chevrolet)
- MyHyundai (Hyundai)
- Toyota Connected Services (Toyota)
Read More: Car Key Fob Not Working? 8 Real Fixes That Actually Work
2. Call a Family Member
When you first purchased your car, the dealership gave you a spare key that you probably handed to a family member or a close friend. If you’ve locked your car keys in your car, it’d be the perfect time to put that spare key to use. Ask your contact if it’s possible to bring the spare key to you. This method can take some time, depending on how far this person is from your location.
3. Use a Blood Pressure Cuff
If you have a blood pressure cuff nearby and you’re feeling confident, you can use it as an inflatable wedge to open a locked car door.
If your key or key fob is locked in the car, use a blood pressure cuff as instructed below to unlock the door.
- Gently make a very small gap between the door frame and the car, then insert the cuff through the gap.
- Inflate the cuff slowly to widen the gap enough to insert a tool like a wire hanger or long-reach rod. Don’t overinflate the blood pressure cuff because it can bend your door or damage your weather seals.
- Grab the keys in the car with the wire hanger and pull them slowly out of the car. Don’t get too excited, and do this at a steady pace so you don’t drop the keys.
4. Contact a Local Locksmith
If your car key is locked in the car and you need professional assistance, you can call a locksmith, but it can take a lot of time to get to you. Also, a single call to a locksmith can cost you anywhere from $80 to $150, depending on your location and vehicle type.
5. Call Canada Direct Roadside Assistance
If you accidentally lock your keys in the car and you don’t know how to break into a car, rest assured that Canada Direct Roadside Assistance is here to save the day. We offer the best roadside assistance in Canada at a competitive price, ranging from $99 to $118 per year, and it includes up to four service calls annually.
Whether you need car unlock service, key replacement, battery boosts, or emergency towing, our services are available 24/7 to get you moving quickly and safely.
What Should You Do if You’re Locked Out of Your Car?
If your keys are stuck in the car and you’re locked out, calm down and ensure you’re in a safe location, then call us at 1-866-519-4001. If you’re subscribed to our membership program, we will provide you with reliable and fast car locksmith service in Canada for an annual price ranging between $99 and $118, including four service calls per year.
Read More: Key Stuck in Ignition? 8 Quick Fixes to Remove It Safely
What Should You Do If a Child or Pet Is Locked in the Car?
If a child or a pet is trapped inside a car, you should act immediately because temperatures inside a vehicle can rise dangerously fast, putting lives at serious risk.
Even if you’re going out for a few minutes, never leave a child or a pet unattended in a vehicle, but in case it happens and you left your keys in the car, here’s what you should do:
Call 9-1-1
Call 9-1-1 right away; they are trained to handle these situations and may break the window if necessary to get the child or pet safely. Don’t call 9-1-1 unless it’s an emergency; if you locked yourself out of the car, but there’s no living soul trapped inside, call Canada Direct Roadside Assistance for fast and reliable service.
Contact Canada Direct Roadside Assistance (CDRA)
Once you call 9-1-1, notify CDRA of the situation so they can send a professional locksmith to your location. No matter where you are in Canada, our team is ready to respond quickly and help unlock your vehicle without causing damage.
Break a Window
If the emergency service is delayed for any reason, break the farthest window from the child or the pet locked inside. Don’t break your car window unless you believe their life is in serious danger and help isn’t arriving quickly enough.
How Much Does a Car Unlock Service Cost in Canada?
A car unlock service in Canada costs anywhere between $80 and $150 for a single visit, depending on your location and vehicle type. Meanwhile, our annual subscription fee for the CDRA membership program is between $99 and $118, which is lower than other similar programs. As a part of our membership program, you get four service calls per year, including locksmith services, battery boosts, towing, and more.
We understand that emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere; that’s why we’re working around the clock to ensure you always get help whenever you need it.
I Locked My Keys in the Car, Who Do I Call for Free?
Call Canada Direct Roadside Assistance (CDRA) at 1-866-519-4001 for free car unlock service as part of your membership. Our team is available 24 hours a day across Canada to send a professional locksmith to your location. CDRA membership program offers four service calls per year for car unlock, battery boosts, towing, and more.
FAQs
Why did my car lock with the keys inside?
Your car might lock with the keys inside due to an auto-lock feature, a weak key fob battery, or an error with the sensor that should detect the key. With older cars, it often happens when you manually lock and close the door and accidentally leave the keys inside.
Can a car lock itself with the keys inside?
Yes, there are several cases where a car locks itself with the keys inside. Some of the reasons for this unfortunate event are sensor glitches, low fob batteries, or malfunctions in the keyless entry system. In older cars, this happens when the door is manually locked before closing it, leaving the keys inside by mistake.
How do you unlock a power-lock door?
To unlock a power-lock door, you can first try using your key fob or mobile app if your vehicle supports remote access. If these solutions aren’t available, you can use some DIY hacks to press the unlock button from the inside. If you cannot do this safely, we recommend contacting Canada Direct Roadside Assistance to get professional help.
Related Roadside Assistance Services
If you’re located in one of the following areas, check out our dedicated local services: