Six Ways to Get Locked Out of Your Car
Being locked out of your car can be an extremely stressful and frustrating experience. It's important to keep in mind that there are safe and effective methods to gain access back to your vehicle.
It is recommended to contact roadside assistance or an emergency locksmith for help, as these professionals have the tools required to unlock your vehicle without damaging your vehicle. Remaining calm and taking a few deep breathes will help you find the most efficient solution.
1. Evaluate the Situation
Being faced with the dreaded locked-out of your car situation is always frustrating, but it's important to remain calm and analyze the situation. You'll be able make intelligent choices that increase your chances of successfully retrieving your keys and getting back on the road in a short time. This comprehensive guide will highlight six of the most common lockout scenarios, as well as effective solutions.
The most common reason for a car lockout is not remembering your keys or misplacing the keys. However, many get locked out of their cars due to malfunctioning keys or doors that don't open. No matter what the cause, you should remain calm and follow these steps to get back to driving quickly.
The first step is to evaluate your situation and determine whether you're in a location where it's safe to try an DIY solution. For instance, if it's late at night, or you're in a busy area, it may not be the best idea to try and reach inside your car through the trunk or rear window. This will not only risk damaging your vehicle and putting you at risk of injuries, but it could also trigger the car's security system or void your warranty.
If you can contact your contacts in your personal network to find out if they have keys that are spare or help you out in some other way. Consider using a roadside assistance app that you can download on your phone to call a towing or locksmith service. If you are unable to access any of these options, it's time to seek out professional assistance. A towing company with the appropriate skills will be able to handle your situation quickly and safely.
2. Reach Out to a spare Key
Keep a spare key in a safe place. This will help you avoid costly roadside assistance or locksmith calls. You can ask an acquaintance or family member who knows the location where your spare key kept to deliver it to you if you require it in an emergency. In some cases an app on your smart phone can be used to gain access to your car without a key. This is a great option for those who have newer automobiles that can be controlled with a smartphone application!
If you don't have an extra key, try to remain calm and analyze the situation. Oftentimes, when we get locked out of our vehicle it's because we shut the door while the keys still in the car. Make sure you check all doors and windows before you panic. You might find an entry point that you didn't realize.
locked keys in car uk may also gain access to your car using a tool such as a Slim Jim or inflatable wedges. However, these are dangerous tools that can cause damage to parts of your car or cause injuries and should be used only as a last resort.
If nothing else works you can contact your automaker for assistance or a third-party roadside assistance provider. Your service plan might provide a professional to unlock your vehicle. Alternately, you can engage a local locksmith for quick response. In many urban areas, you will find a locksmith who offers 24/7 service and reasonable rates. Longo Toyota has many vehicles with excellent safety features, so be sure to browse our latest inventory!
3. Call for Help
It is very likely that you will put your keys in the lock of your car at some point. This can happen due to a number of reasons, including being distracted, keys falling out of your pocket or purse as you leave the car, and malfunctioning locks. Whatever the reason, it's important to be calm and think about all your options.
Double-checking your doors is the first step. Although it might be simple, many people fail to double-check the door before closing it especially in a crowded area or in a new environment. Contact 911 if you are unable to open any of the door. A police officer will be dispatched to your location as quickly as it is possible. They may be able to open your car, or they will summon a tow truck for you, depending on the circumstances.
Prepare for this eventuality by keeping an extra key at home or at work or giving it to a neighbor or friend you trust. It's also advisable to be sure to check your keys before closing the car door.
Roadside assistance programs are run by professionals who are trained to unlock most cars. They are the most secure and affordable alternative. Make sure that your insurance policy covers roadside help before you call, as some don't. If you do not have roadside assistance, you can contact a locksmith for help. Beware of scammers offering to unlock your vehicle for a cost. These individuals may use tools like slim jims to break into your vehicle and, in the majority of cases, result in extensive and expensive damage to locking mechanisms.
4. Take a deep breath
The stress of panicking will only make the situation worse. Take a deep breathe examine the situation and follow the steps listed below to quickly and safely return to your vehicle.
Verify that you really locked your keys in the car. Then take a walk around the exterior of your car to inspect all the doors and windows. Inspect the trunk of your hatchback or SUV. Make sure you check the surrounding area to see if there are any potential dangers, like an unidentified person or activity that could put your safety in danger.
You might be able open a window to escape your car, but make sure you look for pedestrians or traffic before you do so. It is also important to consider whether you have a spare key at home, or if have roadside assistance through your insurance company. A lot of roadside assistance companies provide assistance for lockouts of cars, as well as other problems that are commonly encountered, like battery jump-starts and flat tires.
By taking these preventative steps, you will prevent you from getting locked out of your vehicle in the future. Keep the spare key with a family member or trusted friend to assist you if you ever find yourself locked out. You can also purchase an electronic key system for your car to avoid the hassles of having to fumble around with an extra set of keys when out and out and about. You can also employ a clever technique used by professional mountaineers to get out a tight area. For example, you can thread a shoestring through an opening and tie a slip knot to raise the post lock. Also, you can inflate a blood pressure cuff and create a hole to place your arm or attach a device.
5. Help is available
It is essential to remain calm and logical in the event that you are locked out of your vehicle. Do not try improvised techniques such as a shoelace or wire coat hanger, as they can cause damage and could not work. The most reliable and safest option is to seek assistance from a roadside assistance service or a locksmith professional. These services are typically provided by automakers or auto insurance firms however they can be expensive. However they have the tools required to unlock a car without causing damage to it.
Many modern cars are equipped with technology that can help those who are locked out. For example, some automakers offer smartphone apps that let you manage your car remotely and transform your phone into an ignition key that can unlock the doors and also start the engine. It's a great idea to connect your car to the app prior to using it. Longo Toyota offers a variety of newer models that have impressive safety features. They can assist you avoid any future lockouts.
Other options to avoid the expense of a roadside locksmith or assistance call is to leave keys with a family member or friend and making sure that your car's lock is working correctly. Also, you can lower the chance of lockouts that happen accidentally by making a habit of checking your car prior to leaving and keeping a spare key in a safe place in the event that you forget where you put it. Contact us to find out more about our new vehicles and to determine which ones feature the security and convenience features you're looking for.
