A lockout can happen to anyone, anytime, and anywhere. Whether you accidentally leave your keys inside, lose them, or the lock gets jammed, getting locked out of your car can be a frustrating and stressful experience. That’s why it’s always important to be prepared. Having the right car opening tools on hand can help you get on your way quickly and safely. Make sure you’re ready for anything when you stock up on these tools that should be in every driver’s car lockout kit.
Slim Jim
A slim jim is a thin, flat piece of metal that can slide between the body and the window on your car door. This allows you to unlock the car directly through the locking mechanism. It’s extremely useful in case of a lockout, but you need to be careful while using it as this tool can damage the door if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Air Wedge
Another tool that should be in every driver’s car lockout kit is an air wedge. Sometimes called a pump wedge or an air pump wedge, this is a small inflatable tool that you can use to create a gap between the car door and the frame. By inserting the air wedge and inflating it, you can pry open the door just enough to insert a tool to unlock it. Air wedges are versatile and work on most types of vehicles.
Wire Tool
A wire tool works by fitting through the car window to unlock the door from the inside. This method is common for older models of cars with manual locks. Using a wire tool requires patience and steady hands, but variations like a long reach tool can make the job easier.
Locksmith Contact Information
Although not an actual tool, having a list of auto locksmiths and emergency roadside assistance contact numbers can be helpful when you are locked out of your car. Do your research and have the phone number and address of a reputable locksmith available in your car lockout kit so you can get help if and when you need it.
