Car Keys Locked in Car? Here’s How to Get Back in Without Calling a Locksmith
No one wants to be locked out. However, it can happen to the most careful drivers.
There are a few simple ways to get your car into the garage without calling roadside assistance or the dealership. Here are a few. You can use your shoelaces or a coat hanger made of wire.
1. Call 911
Whether it happens while driving to work or on a short trip to the grocery store or even when you’re driving, locking the keys in the car is a frequent occurrence. This mistake is easy to commit, whether due to a simple error or the malfunction of locks. Fortunately, the problem is usually easy to fix. It’s normal to be anxious in these situations. However, it’s not advisable to allow your emotions to take over. Anxiety can lead to impulsive actions that could make the situation worse.
Before doing anything rash it’s important to take a deep breath and check all of the doors and windows of your vehicle. You might have the luxury of a spare key in your home, or perhaps a family member who can bring it to you, but if you don’t, there are plenty of other ways to gain entry into your vehicle without causing any damage.
A lot of roadside assistance companies, such as AAA offers a service to help you unlock your vehicle if you’ve locked car keys in car your keys inside. They have specialized tools and kits that can assist you in this process and are available 24 hours a day. They can take a long time to arrive, and depending on your membership, you may be required to pay an additional cost.
You could also try using things that you have in your home like shoestrings with an elongated slip knot through the door to pull up the post lock or a wire coat hanger through one of the window frames to unlock the lock. However, these tactics can sometimes break parts of the door, and they’re not always successful.
If you aren’t able to get into your vehicle and you don’t have the time to wait for a professional, or you’re concerned about someone getting injured then calling 911 is the best option. They will send a police officer to assist you in getting access. In the majority of cases, they will be in a position to unlock your car, or at a minimum solicit a tow truck and it will be included on your bill. If the car door opener is older, the police may have to change the code, which will cost extra.
2. Contact Roadside Assistance
Car lockouts can be unpleasant, apprehensive situation that can make you feel helpless. To avoid this happening, tuck the spare key in your purse or wallet, stash it in the underside of your car, or give a friend with a spare you can leave at their house. You can also employ a tool to pry the locked door open in the event of a need.
If you’re stuck in your car, the first step is to assess the situation and determine if your keys are inside. Then take some deep breaths and examine to determine if the doors are open or if you can get them from outside of the vehicle. If not, call roadside assistance.
You can get roadside assistance as an optional extra with a variety of auto insurance companies. It could be offered through other service providers, including auto clubs or credit cards. Professionals are generally able to unlock your vehicle with various strategies and tools. If you have a modern, keyless system, a specialist can reset the key fob of your car to get you back on your way.
If you don’t have such an option, you can still contact your local police department to get help. This should only be done in an emergency situation, like when your pets or children are trapped in the car. It’s not for you to call 911 simply because you lost your keys. It is important to note that 911 lines are intended to be used in emergency situations, and if you call to report the loss of your key inside the car, you may not be able speak to an officer immediately and it could take time before they can dispatch an official to your location.
Be sure to inquire about the cost of roadside assistance before you contact. You could get a free lockout per year, depending on your membership. You may also be required to pay out from your pocket. You should also determine whether the roadside assistance company you choose has locksmiths on staff for this to be an alternative to getting your keys returned.
3. Contact a locksmith
If you’re locked out of your vehicle, it can be a frustrating and unsettling experience, especially if it is an urgency to get to where you need to go. Even when it seems like all hope is gone there are still a few tried-and-tested ways to get into your car without calling a professional locksmith.
The first step is to look at the other doors of your vehicle to determine if they’re unlocked. This might seem obvious, but it is often ignored by those in a rush.
Asking friends or family if they can let you into your car with a spare key is another possibility. If this is not an option, you can find another method to unlock the trunk. This is usually more difficult, and requires you to alter the locking mechanism with a specific tool or trick. You’ll have to research the procedure for your specific make and model.
If none of these solutions are working, it’s time to contact an experienced locksmith. A reputable NYC auto locksmith should be able get you back in your vehicle quickly, safely and without causing damage to the lock. They’ll have the tools and know-how to break even the most secure locks and can provide an alternative key for you in the future.
Assistance companies for roadside emergencies like AAA are also helpful in this scenario. However, they’ll charge for their service. Most AAA members are entitled to a free lockout each year, based on the amount of their membership.
If you’re a member of AAA they’ll send a locksmith to your location and can generally get you into your vehicle lock out service within an hour. They can also assist with other roadside issues like tire replacements and fuel delivery. If you don’t have an AAA membership, then you can try calling an individual locksmith, but this will likely cost you money. Make sure you do your research to find the best locksmith for your requirements.
4. Try an DIY Solution
If you discover that you have locked your keys inside your car, it can be a frightening experience. It is essential to remain calm, assess the situation and decide what next steps to take. Get a locksmith in touch instead of attempting to fix the issue yourself. You could cause further damage to your vehicle or pay a higher bill.
Fortunately, there are several ways to unlock your car keys without calling an expert. These methods involve using items you probably already have at home. First, check that the trunk is not locked out my car. Some modern cars have special security features which prevent the trunk from opening. You can check your owner’s manual, or contact Longo Toyota, to see whether this feature is present for your vehicle.
A shoelace is another option. This trick is only available for cars that have post locks that are the kind of locks that stick straight up from the door frame. This trick is only applicable to cars that have not been compromised. It is recommended to use an older model, which is less likely to be stolen.
It’s not the best option to break the window of a car. But it should only be done in an emergency situation when there is a child or pet in the vehicle. It’s also important to remember that breaking a window will likely require glass replacement which is costly.
It’s nearly impossible to avoid getting your keys locked in your car however there are ways to minimize the likelihood of this occurring. Make sure you have a spare key you keep in a secure place or give to an individual you trust. You should also check whether your roadside assistance plan or auto insurance policy offers unlocking services as part of the policy. You will save time and money by using this method if you happen to lock your keys inside your car.