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The next time you accidentally lock your keys in your car, you’ll want to try these awesome tricks.
How To Unlock My Car
Millions of drivers lock their car keys every year, and now you’re one of them. Fortunately, newer cars make this a lot harder to do, but if you find yourself in front of your locked car with your keys in the cup holder, these tricks could save your life. Before you send a “keys locked in car” SOS message, learn how to unlock car doors without keys using these easy (and cheap!) methods. Also, stay safe on the road with these car safety features, secret ways to use your key fob, a guide to changing your key fob battery, and car gadgets to improve your driving skills.
Locksmith Harker Heights
According to Mark Takahashi, opinion editor at Edmunds, “it’s becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to lock themselves out of their cars, as most transponder keys don’t allow it.” Brian Moody, editor-in-chief at Autotrader, agrees: “The idea of locking keys in cars is a thing of the past.” If you get stuck, it may be best to call a locksmith, roadside assistance or the police, depending on the urgency of the situation, notes Moody.
In a high-risk situation, such as if a child or animal is locked in the car, call 911 immediately and tell them the make and model of your vehicle and where you are. Emergency services like police and fire will arrive faster than a locksmith or roadside assistance. Police often break a window or use a thin metal device to unlock the door without a key, Moody says. Although they do not charge you for the service, only call them in case of an emergency and you will have to foot the bill to repair the damaged window.
Roadside assistance providers like AAA can help when you lock your keys in your car, Moody says. Not only are AAA services available 24 hours a day, AAA members also receive one free lock per year up to a fixed price, depending on membership level. If you find yourself in this situation, call AAA and tell them your location, the make and model of your vehicle, and your membership number. However, keep in mind that it may take half an hour or more for a professional to arrive and you will have to pay out of pocket if you are not a member or if you have been blocked repeatedly.
Want to avoid an expensive call to a locksmith or roadside assistance specialist? Fortunately, there are several cheaper tricks for unlocking your car without keys, as long as you’re patient and handy with a tool. Here’s how to get your keys out of a locked car – no locksmith required. And in the future, try these simple ways to never lose your keys (or anything else) again.
One Of My Car Keys Suddenly Can’t Unlock The Car. Any Ideas Why?
Thanks to the growing number of car apps for your smartphone, you can unlock your car without breaking the bank. Many new vehicles offer free Apple and Android apps that allow drivers to operate the car without a key. The apps turn smartphones into a second key fob so users can lock, unlock and even start their car remotely. “The key is to pair [the car key] with the app before locking,” says Takahashi. If you have a new model Hyundai, GM/Chevrolet, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, Fo or Honda car, install the manufacturer’s app so your keys are locked in the car next time. Here are some other hidden features of the car that you may not be aware of.
The good news: If you have an older car with manual locks and wear shoes with laces, you may not need to call roadside assistance. Simply tie a knot in the middle of the shoelace to create a loop the size of your index finger. Next, wrap the shoelace around the right corner of the driver’s side door until the knot is inside the door seam. Now hold the shoelace with both hands and move it back and forth as if you were going from a string to a giant tooth. This will move the loop lower on the window and pull the car door lock. Carefully slide the loop over the lock, then pull the ends of the cord to tighten the loop. When you feel that you have a firm grip on the lock, gently pull it to unlock the car door. ta-da! there you are! You can also use a piece of string instead of a shoelace. Never leave home without one of these items or other essentials from our travel essentials checklist.
The hanger method is classic; you’ve probably seen it used in a few movies. Like the twist trick, this method only works on older vehicles with manual locks. All you need is a thin wire hanger and pliers. “Using the pliers, unclip the hanger so you have a rolled side and a flat side,” explains Laura Gonzales, marketing manager at Audi Bellevue. “You’re going to insert the hanger between the window and the curb. Once the hook is under the window, you can start hunting for the control arm. Once you find it, pull the handle and your door will open. FYI, that’s not the only secret your locksmith won’t tell you told.
For drivers short on hair and time, it won’t hurt to try this old-fashioned trick on a manual car lock. Bend the first pin at a 90 degree angle and separate the second pin by slightly bending one of its tips. Place the bent side of the first pin into the lock and insert the second pin straight into the lock. While holding the first pin still, move the second pin inside the lock until it opens. However, this trick can damage your car if done incorrectly. If you are worried about damage, you can always leave it to the professionals and call someone to help you.
The Unlock Button On My Car Key Fob Fell Off And The Actual Button Is Too Deep To Reach
If you want to unlock your car without keys like a pro, invest in a car tool kit with a curved or pop window wedge. Just be aware that using a wedge to unlock your car can be a little tricky, warns Bill Evans, manager of J&E Auto Body in Clark, New Jersey. Start by pulling the top of the door frame with the twist tool and pushing the corner to hold the door frame in place. Then use a long thin stick (it can even be a hanger) to press the release button. “Triple-A drivers and tow truck drivers tend to do it, and that’s how we do it,” says Evans. This trick works on old and new car models.
But there is a downside. “Even experienced people will scratch the paint or tear the weatherstripping during this process,” says Evans. “You may need to have a body shop realign the top of the door frame as it sometimes stays bent away from the body after using the wedge.” Make sure the repair costs are worth it before using a wedge to get out of the “keys locked in the car” dilemma.
Drivers who regularly lock their keys in their cars can take certain precautions to save time, money and trouble in the future. Takahashi recommends downloading the car manufacturer’s app, and Moody’s suggests getting a roadside assistance plan. You can also keep the spare key in a convenient location, such as in a small magnetic safe under the vehicle, says Moody. Although some people attach extra keys to easily accessible places in their car, this can make your vehicle an easy target for car thieves. A magnetic key vault, on the other hand, protects your key with a code so that only you can access it. Warning: these errors can also leave your car vulnerable to thieves.
If you’re used to losing your keys, check out this key finder to help you find them easily.
Do The Police Unlock Your Car For Free? — The Keyless Shop
Brooke is a technology and consumer products writer. It covers the latest digital trends, product reviews, security and privacy, and other news and features for .
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