What to Do if You Just Locked Your Keys in the Car

With so many things happening at once, like the coffee in your right hand and the car keys in the other, not to mention your toddler running around the other side of the car, the groceries in the cart, and so much more, it is no wonder you just locked the keys in the car by accident. Locking your keys is nothing to be frustrated about, so do not panic and add to the stress. Because this scenario is so common and happens every single day, there have been several methods conceived that are proven to rescue your keys in a hurry.

Continue reading to learn what to do if you just locked her keys in the car.

Indianapolis Indiana Roadside Assistance Tow Truck 317-247-8484
Indianapolis Indiana Roadside Assistance Tow Truck 317-247-8484

Always Hire a Pro in Hazardous or Emergency Situations

The best resource for retrieving your keys out of the locked car is to contact an emergency roadside assistance company. It is especially important to use this resource first and foremost if you ever lock your keys in the car while in a hazardous or emergency situation. They have the fleets and innovative equipment to instantly unlock your car doors and retrieve your car keys within minutes. In an emergency situation or unsafe circumstance, there is no time to waste. Always contact a 24 hour roadside assistant service if this ever happens to you.

For Normal Roadside Situations

If you find yourself in a normal situation where you’ve just locked her keys in the car, and you’re not in an unsafe position in any way, you can attempt a few creative methods of retrieving your own car keys out of your locked car.

First, and this may seem obvious, but be sure to check every single door to your car to make sure they’re all locked. You would be surprised to learn how many times roadside assistance technicians report this happening. Avoid the embarrassment and check that all doors are actually locked.

If in fact all doors are locked, you can begin the process of manual retrieval. Start by sticking your fingers in the gap between the door frame and the top of the window and create an opening about ¼ of an inch wide. If your fingers are not strong enough to do this, find some sort of plastic lever to create the gap for you.

Next, you will need a blood pressure cup. If you have just locked her keys in the car at the grocery store, you are in luck because you can just go inside the pharmacy and buy one. Otherwise, use your other car or transportation service to go to the store, or order one to be delivered online.

Once you have the blood pressure cup, stick it in between the gap you created with your fingers or lever. This should hold the gap open.

Now, expand the blood pressure cup by squeezing the bladder. As it slowly expands, the gap you’ve created will open up even wider. Do not worry, this will not damage her car. Just be sure not to over inflate the bladder, and you should be fine.

Next, grab yourself some sort of retrieval tool. The most commonly used is an unwound wire hanger, but you can also use a stick or any type of probing tool that is similar. Slide the tool into the opening and hook your keys the best you can. Then all you have to do is pull it out of the hole, remove the bladder, and unlock your car.

Do you prefer instant and professional roadside assistance instead? Contact Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour roadside assistance in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We also provide wrecker services and emergency response.

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Common Roadside Problems and Solutions

When you are the owner and operator of a vehicle, you have certain obligations to fulfil, like insurance coverage, licensing, plate stickers, and more. Along with these responsibilities, you should also have a plan in place for sudden, unexpected roadside scenarios. Flat tires, broken windshield wipers, overheating engines, and being lock out are just some of the common examples drivers experience on the road.

When circumstances like these occur, it is important to be prepared; not only with the right tools and resources, but also with the right knowledge. Continue reading to review common roadside problems, and suggested solutions for each!

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Flat Tires

Flat tires are one of the most common roadside dilemmas drivers experience on the road. Run-flat tires are great options for areas where flats are common, as they protect the rim of the wheel while you slowly drive your vehicle to the nearest shop for repair. If you do not have such tire technology, you need to be sure you have a kit handy to change your tire. This can be a tire plug kit for patching a hole, or it can be a jack and spare tire setup. See our blog, “How to Change a Tire Using a Spare,” to learn how to do it yourself.

Overheating Engine

Overheating engines can happen for a number of reasons. The most common reason an engine overheats a vehicle that is in good condition has to do with lack of coolant. It is important to have the proper water-to-coolant ratio for proper cooling operation. Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to learn the proper coolant concentration recommended for your make and model car or truck. Also, keep a bottle of radiator fluid in your trunk so that you can be prepared to tend to an overheated engine. Always be sure to let the engine cool down completely before opening the hood.

Broken Windshield Wiper Blades

If your windshield wiper blades are broken, and you are driving in the middle of a rainstorm, you are in a very unsafe position. Immediately pull over and wait for the rain to pass, or be prepared to change your windshield wipers manually. By keeping an extra set of quality windshield wiper blades in your vehicle, you are well-prepared for this kind of disaster.

Out of Fuel

A vehicle running out of gasoline is a common scenario that virtually all drivers have experienced once in their life. It is not a good idea to keep an extra jug of fuel in your vehicle for roadside emergencies like this, however, it is a good idea to keep an empty fuel jug so that you can walk to the nearest gas station and fill it up.

Locked Out of the Car

Locking your keys in the car is a major inconvenience, especially if your engine is still running since it can cost you precious fuel. If this happens to you, you have a few options. The one you use will largely depend on the resources you have, and personal preference. You can use a long shoe string, or other type of string, you can create a slip knot and use it to manually unlock the door, or you can try the old coat hanger method.

Stuck in a Ditch

For those stuck on the side of the road, you have a few options for escape. If you believe you are in a particularly dangerous position, contact the highway police for added protection. To get yourself out, you can use the rocking method, where you reverse and drive back and forth until your vehicle can gain the momentum needed to spring itself out; or, you can add dry soil around each tire for added traction. You can also jack up the car and add wood boards, floor mats, trunk liner, gravel, sand, or any other material you have that could work as a surface. Keep in mind that this is not recommended if you are on a busy highway or street. It can be very risky and dangerous.

The BEST Course of Action for All Roadside Emergencies:

Contact an Indianapolis roadside assistance company that provides 24 hour service. They have the materials and resources to protect you, your passengers, and your vehicle, while also resolving any of the above-mentioned emergencies and more.

Affordable and Fast 24 Hour Roadside Assistance

Towing Company Indianapolis, Indiana 317-247-8484

24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for affordably-priced emergency roadside assistance in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We offer 24 hour service, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Regardless of your roadside assistance needs, we are fully-equipped and always on-duty to help. Choose from fuel delivery, lockout service, jump starts, and more. Call 317-247-8484 when you need fast Indianapolis roadside assistance you can trust!