HELP! Locked keys in the car, don't have a spare. Wire coat hanger guidance needed

[Osteomata]

As the title states, I just locked the keys in the back, screwed by the auto lock feature. I have coat hanger, but any guidance on how best to use it would be appreciated. I haven't tried to jimmy a door in over 15 years.
- Os

[deermagnet]

Just call your local police or a tow shop and ask if they'll come over and open it up with a Slim Jim. Hopefully they'll say yes or give you some other advice.

Mark

[Osteomata]

Also: Im logging in to chat now in case someone wants to offer live assistance.

[don moore]

AAA call them
you do have AAA?

[Osteomata]

No I don't have AAA. Is XXX pretty much the same thing? Cause I have some of that.

[AlaskaVX]

I think calling a cab company is the cheapest way to go, sorry I don't have any "jimmying" advice for you.

[Osteomata]

Well I tried screwing around with a coat hanger. No luck. S I spent the last 30 minutes watching youtube videos of various coat hanger unlocking techniques. Going down to try again.
- Os

[Osteomata]

No luck. Locksmith supposedly enroute for $50.

[SlowPro48]

I did the same thing a couple months ago - had already locked up and the remembered I needed to get something out of the back - laid the keys down thinking the door would stay open - WRONG!

Like you, I started with a coat hanger but then quickly realized that there's no way to grab the lock button and even though I've had the doors apart to do my "temporary" bungee cord window fix, it wasn't temporary enough and I couldn't remember from that one time five years ago where exactly the lock actuating rod was - so fishing around down in the door was fruitless too. Change of plans - I found a scrap of 1/4" steel rod about 4' long and used a small plastic crow bar (actually it's a trim removal tool) to pry the window frame at the top of the door away from the body just enough to slide the steel rod through and punch the electric door lock button. Took less than ten seconds. Try it next time - cheaper than a locksmith!

[don moore]

look into AAA its 65 bucks and they do allot of lockouts for you for free.. plus i have them do my friends lockouts.. and they will tow you with a flat bed if you need it and tire changes.... and free maps and discounts....LOL I sound like a AAA salesman....

[Osteomata]

OK, an update: I cancelled the locksmith because my wife got hold of our cop friend. Cop friend sent one of his patrolmen out: 30 minutes of grunting and swearing, but no luck. So our actual cop friend came out: 20 minutes of grunting and swearing, but no luck. So he was gonna swing by the usual hangouts for the tow trucks and see if they would pop by for a little less than the usual call in rate. AAA is looking a whole lot more attractive right now.

[Marlin]

For about 5 bucks, I got a magnetic key holder, and a spare key made, keep it somewhere on the frame, try a horizontal area on the top of the frame, to minimize risk of loss while wheeling. If you put it vertical, make sure the opening slides up, to prevent accidental opening of the cover while wheeling. it has saved me more than once!! 5 bucks vs 50 bucks..............

[Solitude]

have you tried to hit the unlock button with the coat hanger?

[Osteomata]

OK, tow truck guy came out, and opened her up in 30 seconds with a slim jim. The trick appears to be the angle at which you approach the lift pin. From the passenger side, slim jim goes in behind/rearward from the door handle, about as far back on the door/window slit as possible. He angled the slim jim at almost a 45 degree angle, i.e., the bottom towards the front of the truck. At this angle he was able to slide a bit forward and snag the lift pin easily. Years of experience on hundreds of vehicles probably helped too.

Marlin, I have to actually own a spare key first! My VX only came with one, and I never got around to ordering a second. That will be high on my list of things to do today.

[tom4bren]

You don't need to order a key (we don't have a chip in key feature). Just go to Lowes, Home Depot or Walmart & they can set you up with no problem.