How To Get Your Keys Out Of A Locked Car

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Accidentally locking your keys inside of your car can be a stressful experience. Luckily, there are a variety of different ways that you can retrieve your keys if you have a pull-up lock. First, it's important to make sure that there's no easy way to access your car, like a spare key or an open door. If you've checked all of your doors and you still can't get into your car, you can call someone for help or use a tool to pick the lock on your door.

1

Get a long piece of string. Find a long piece of string that's at least 3 feet (91.44 cm) long. You can use yarn or a thin rope. If you don't have access to any of these materials, you can even use your shoelaces.^[1]
2

Make a slip knot in the center of the string. To create a slip knot, make a loop and feed one end of the string through the loop. Make another loop 5 inches (12.7 cm) away from the first loop using the same method. Finally, feed the second loop you created through the first loop and pull the loose end of the string to tighten the knot. This will create a knot that you can tighten by pulling on one end.
3

Slide the string into the corner of the door. Place the string in the top left of the door and wiggle it back and forth by holding both ends of the string. Continue wiggling the string until the string gets squeezed inside of the car.^[2]
4

Position the loop around the lock. Position the string so that the middle of the string is closer to your door's lock. You may have to fiddle with the string until you can get the loop in the slip knot directly over the lock. Carefully drop the loop around the lock.^[3]
5

Pull one end of the string to tighten the loop. Once the loop has caught on the lock, pulling one end of the string will tighten up the knot. Pull hard so that you get the string as tight as possible around the lock. Older model cars will be easier to open using this method.^[4]
6

Pull up on the string do disengage the lock. Pull on the top part of the string while letting go of the other end of the string to pop open the lock. You should now be able to open the door and retrieve your keys.^[5]

1

Straighten out a wire coat hanger. Get a coat hanger and bend it so that it's as straight as possible. The longer the coat hanger is, the easier it will be to open your lock.
2

Bend one end of the hanger into a "V" shape. The "V" side of the hanger will go into your car and wrap around your lock. Make the bent side of the hanger large enough so that it can wrap around your lock.^[6]
3
Slide the coat hanger between the window and rubber stripping. Slide the "V" end of the coat hanger in between the window and the rubber surrounding it. You may have to work the coat hanger back and forth to slide it into your car. Continue to do this until the coat hanger slides between the window.^[7]
- Do this carefully so that you don't damage the rubber lining around your window.
4

Wiggle the coat hanger until you snag the locking mechanism. Wiggle the coat hanger back and forth until it snags on the pin on the lock. The mechanism should be above your door's handle. It may take multiple tries to actually find the pin, so be patient while you find it.^[8]
5

Pull up to disengage the lock. Pulling up on the coat hanger while it's wrapped around the pin in the door's frame will unlock your car. Make sure that you've snagged it before pulling up on the coat hanger.

1

Call a locksmith. Look for locksmiths in the area. If you don't have internet access, you can call 411 and ask for locksmiths close by. Give the locksmith a call and ask them to meet you at your car. Make sure to ask about rates so you have an idea of how much it will cost.^[9]
2
Call roadside assistance. Roadside assistance will be able to get your door open without damaging your car. Typically these services will give you a card with a phone number that you can call.
- Popular roadside assistance companies include AAA, Allstate Motor Club, AARP, and Paragon Motor Club.^[10]
3
Get police assistance. Police officers have the tools to open your car when it's locked, however, some departments may not respond to your call unless the car is still running or the vehicle poses a threat to someone. Call the police to see if they can help you retrieve your keys.^[11]
- If you see officers in the area, it's worth asking them if they can assist you.

Add New Question

Question

How can I open the trunk of my car to get my keys out?

It depends on the type of car. You may need to open the car door first. If you can get in the car, some cars have a remote release button in the glove box. Some may not work without power, though. In this case, go into the back seat and pull down the middle arm rest -- there should be an access panel to your trunk behind that.
Question

How can I get in the front door of my house if I am locked out?
Question

How do I enter a locked trunk?

If you don't have a key, try going through the back seat. Many car models have direct truck access through the back seat.
Question

What would be a good description of a 4th method?

If you have a tennis ball, cut a hole in the ball the size of the key hole. Put the ball over the keyhole and hit the ball with your hand. This creates an air type reverse vacuum, and in older cars it will pop the lock.

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Article SummaryX

To get your keys out of a locked car with pull-up locks, start by taking one of your shoelaces or a long piece of string and making a slip knot in the center of it. Then, slide the string around the corner of the car door so the knot is inside the car. Next, lower the slip knot loop until it's wrapped around the pull-up lock on the door. Once the loop is in place, pull one end of the shoelace or string to tighten the knot around the lock. Finally, pull up on the string to unlock the door. To learn how to unlock a door with a pull-up lock using a wire coat hanger, scroll down!

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