Locking your keys inside your car is a major issue that happens to most people at least once in their lives. When you buy a new car, you usually get a spare key with. However, if you've bought a used car, or if you've lost the second key, locking your keys inside the car can render the car useless for a long time until you have had it fixed. To avoid this scenario, you should know that there are a few things that you could do in order to retrieve your keys as effortless as possible.

Auto locksmith

If you discover that you've got keys locked in car, the first thing you should do is to investigate the possibility of calling an auto locksmith. A locksmith can get the door open for you to retrieve your key without damaging your car. In newer cars, it might be harder for the locksmith to only open the lock, but you still have the possibility of having the lock taken out and be replaced. This is a more expensive procedure as you probably will have to get a new key to open the doors, but it still keeps your car unharmed and you will have access to the key in the ignition rather quickly for further usage of your car.

Using a wedge

Another way to do it is to try and retrieve your car keys yourself. This is only advisable if there are no auto locksmith services nearby, or you have to wait for a very long time for them to get there, you can try to gently pry the top part of your door open with some sort of wedge. Then use a long tool, like a straightened coat hanger or a long stick, to try and fiddle the lock open. On older cars you only need to pull the lock open, but on newer models it's more common to push a locking mechanism on the side of the door.

Inflatable object

A more gentle way to do it yourself is to place an inflatable object, such as a blood pressure cuff, in the gap in the car door. This is gentler than using a wedge, as the inflatable object won't scratch your car and lets the gap in the locked door open gradually. You then need to use the same type of long object as earlier. Just remember that none of these methods guarantee success and that they can damage your car extensively if you make a mistake. If the reason why you want to do it yourself is that you want to save the money it would cost to hire an auto locksmith, you should reconsider and think about the possible costs that could come from damaging your car.