Who to call if keys locked in car

May 06, 2021 Some newer vehicles use fancy key fobs, touchpads, and remote-unlock sensors that all but guarantee you won’t get locked out. But what of the millions of unfortunate souls who still lock and unlock their cars manually? Is their future plagued by prybars and broken car windows?

With a bit of patience, practice, and even more patience, getting your keys out of a locked vehicle is entirely possible—and you probably won’t have to visit an auto body shop near you to get your window replaced afterward. Here are a few tips to safely get inside your locked car. (Nefarious persons needn’t continue reading.)

1. Get Your Spare Key

When you purchase a new vehicle from your car dealer, they likely gave you a pair of car keys. If this sounds familiar, and you’re at home, you might want to try to find that spare first. 

2. Load Up Your App

Newer cars may also be remotely unlocked using your auto manufacturer’s mobile app. You’ll need to sign up and pair the vehicle to your account prior to your lockout, but doing so right when you purchase your vehicle will prevent lockouts in the future. Here’s a short list of lockout apps for popular vehicle brands:

• myChevrolet – Acts as a remote key fob to lock or unlock your GM vehicle, start or stop its engine, sound the horn, and even locate the vehicle, among others.
• Hyundai Blue Link® - Allows you to unlock, lock, start, stop, and activate headlights and the horn of your Hyundai.
• NissanConnect® - Services include lock/unlock, Vehicle Health Reports, Maintenance Alerts, and connectivity to Alexa and Google Assistant.
• Toyota App – Enables you to lock and unlock the doors, find your Toyota, receive recall alerts, and access maintenance info.
• MySubaru – Via STARLINK, the MySubaru app locks and unlocks your vehicle, remote starts and stops it, and even immobilizes the vehicle when it’s stolen.

3. Unlock Manual Locks with String or Fishing Line

Have an old vehicle with manual locks? Become MacGyver: grab a few feet of shoestring, fishing line, or twine, fashion a loop in the middle of the string, and work it into the door’s opening. Hook the loop onto the locking mechanism and pull up. 

4. Unlock with a Wire Clothes Hanger

Hollywood makes this method look easy; we assure you that it is not. However, a wire hanger can unlock your car door via its power lock/unlock button. Straighten out your hanger, insert it into the door frame’s seal, just above the unlock button, and gently fiddle with it until the metal hanger slides in. Guide it to the unlock button.

5. Unlock with an Inflatable Pump Wedge

If you happen to lock yourself out of the car regularly, it might be a good idea to invest in an inflatable wedge kit. These “auto entry tools” will help you avoid damaging the vehicle’s paint, which can sometimes happen when using metal tools. The wedge creates space between the door and jamb, allowing you to insert access tools or rods that disengage the lock. 

6. Unlock with a Strip of Sturdy Plastic

Many autobody novices will use makeshift door wedges out of spare plastic strips. These can be bent and slid through the cracks of the car door to trigger most manual locks. 

7. Call AAA or a Locksmith

When you can’t get your shoestring, wire hanger, or wedges to work, it’s time to make like Robin Hood and call the locksmith. Service providers like AAA are also good options; they have special lockout tool kits for this very occasion. The downside is that you’ll have to pay for someone to unlock your car.

8. Call the Police

Officers, manning a slim jim, used to provide assistance with vehicle lockouts. However, some police officers today cannot assist if your vehicle is a newer model. If your situation is particularly dire, contacting the authorities is a good idea. Unless you’ve locked a baby or animal inside a hot car and need assistance ASAP, we suggest calling a non-emergency line rather than dialing 9-1-1. View this list of non-emergency Kansas City Police contact numbers.

If you absolutely must break your window to get inside the car, don’t worry! Auto glass replacement is quite affordable, and most work can be done in an afternoon. For additional tips or to schedule a visit at one of our Kansas City body shops, dial 800-NEW-AGAIN or request a tow online. Trust McCarthy Collision Centers to give you free estimates and even work with your insurance company to submit claims. We’re here for you.

Sources & Photos:

hyundaiusa.com/bluelink/index.aspx

nissanusa.com/connect

chevrolet.com/my-chevrolet-mobile-app

toyota.com/connected-services/toyotaapp/

subaru.com/engineering/starlink.html

quora.com/Why-don-t-cops-help-unlock-your-car-anymore-They-used-to-if-you-locked-your-keys-in

kcpd.org/contact-us/department-directory/