Six Ways to Get Locked Out of Your Car
Being locked out of your car can be a stressful and frustrating situation. There are many safe and effective ways to gain access to your vehicle.
A roadside assistance call or an urgent locksmith is the best choice because they have the tools needed to open your vehicle without causing damage. Be calm and take several deep breaths will help you determine the most efficient solution.
1. Assess the Situation
It’s a hassle to be locked out of your car however it’s crucial to remain calm and assess the situation. You’ll be able to make smart decisions that will increase your chances of successfully retrieving your keys and returning to the road quickly. This comprehensive guide will reveal the top six car lockout scenarios and provide effective solutions for solving them.
A common cause of car lockout is forgetting your keys or losing them. A lot of people are locked out of their car because their key fobs won’t work or the doors won’t open. No matter what the cause, you should remain calm and follow these steps to get back to driving in a hurry.
First, you should reassess the situation to determine if it is feasible to make an DIY solution. If it’s late, or you’re in an area that’s busy, it might not be an appropriate idea to get into your car’s trunk or rear window. You could damage your vehicle and put yourself in danger and could also void your warranty.
If you can, contact your contacts to inquire whether they have assistance in any other way. You might want to consider using a roadside assistance application on your phone to contact a towing or locksmith service. If you are unable to access one of these options, then you should seek out professional assistance. A professional towing service will be able to resolve your issue quickly and safely.
2. Find an extra key
Keep a spare key in a safe location. This will allow you to avoid costly assistance from the roadside or locksmith calls. If you have a friend or family member who knows where the spare key is stored, ask them to drive it to you in the event of an emergency. In certain situations an app on your smart phone can be used to gain access to your car without the key. This is an excellent option for those with newer cars that allow you to control them from the smartphone app!
If you don’t have a spare key, try to remain calm and evaluate the situation. Oftentimes, when we get locked out of our vehicle it’s because we shut the door while the keys still inside. Make sure to inspect all the doors and windows before you panic. You may find an entry point you didn’t even notice.
Another method of getting access to your vehicle is to use a tool like a Slim Jim, inflatable wedges, bobby pins or a flathead screwdriver. These tools are dangerous and can cause damage to your vehicle. They should only be used as a last option.
If all else fails, contact your automaker for assistance or a third party roadside assistance service. Your service plan may provide an expert to unlock your vehicle. Alternately, you can employ a local locksmith to provide rapid response. In the majority of urban areas, you can find a locksmith that offers 24/7 service and reasonable rates. Longo Toyota has many vehicles that are equipped with top security features, so make sure to look through our new inventory!
3. Help is available
You’re very likely to lock your keys inside your vehicle at some time. This can happen due to a number of reasons, such as being distracted, keys falling out of your pocket or purse as you exit the vehicle or even malfunctioning locks. No matter what the reason is, it’s important to be calm and think about all your options.
Double-checking the doors of your home is the first step. Although it might appear obvious, many people forget to double-check their doors prior to closing them especially in a crowded area or in a new environment. If you’re not able to open the doors. A quick dispatch will dispatch a police officer to help you. Depending on the situation they might be able to open your vehicle or summon tow-trucks for you.
Prepare for this eventuality by keeping an extra key at the office or at home or giving it to a family member or a neighbor who you trust. It’s also advisable to establish a routine to always check for your keys when closing the car door.
Roadside assistance programs employ professionals who are trained to unlock most cars. You’ll find that they are the most secure and cost-effective alternative. Make sure you check your auto insurance policy covers roadside assistance prior calling, as some do not. If you don’t have roadside assistance, you can call a locksmith for help. Beware of scammers offering to unlock your car for a small fee. They might use tools such as slim jims or other devices 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
Being locked out of your vehicle isn’t a pleasant situation, but being panicked will only make it worse. Take a deep breath take a look at the situation, and follow the steps below to swiftly and safely return to your vehicle.
First, check to confirm that you’ve locked your keys inside your vehicle. Then, go around your car and inspect all windows and doors. If you own a hatchback or SUV be sure to check the trunk as well. Inspect the surrounding area to determine if any potential hazards exist for example, an individual who is homeless or a suspicious activities that could put your safety in danger.
It may be possible to open a window to escape the car, but you should be sure to check your surroundings for pedestrians and other vehicles before you attempt this. Consider whether you have a spare key at home, or if your insurance provider provides roadside assistance. Many roadside assistance providers offer assistance with car lockouts, in addition to other problems that are commonly encountered, like battery jump-starts and flat tires.
These preventative steps can prevent you from being locked out of your car in the future. Keep a spare key with an individual from your family or a trusted friend so they can help you if ever you get locked out. Additionally, you can purchase an entry system that is keyless for your vehicle to eliminate the hassle of fiddling around with a spare set of keys when you’re on the go. You can also make use of one of the clever tricks that professional mountain climbers employ to overcome a difficult situation, g28carkeys such as stringing a shoestring through an untied slip knot through the door to pull up the post lock, or inflating the blood pressure cuff in order to create a gap you can stick your hand or a tool through.
5. Call for help
When you’re locked out of your car, it’s crucial to maintain a calm mind and think rationally. Do not try improvised techniques such as a shoelace or wire coat hanger because they could cause damage and might not work. The most secure and reliable alternative is to get help from a roadside assistance service or a professional locksmith. Many auto insurance companies and automakers offer these services, which often cost. However, these professionals have the tools required to unlock a car door opener without damaging it.
A number of modern vehicles have technology that can assist drivers in the event that they are locked out of their vehicles. Certain automakers have smartphone apps that turn your phone into an remote control for your car, unlocking the doors and launching the engine. It’s a great idea to connect your car to the app ahead of time. Longo Toyota offers a variety of newer models with impressive security features. These can help you avoid future lockouts.
You can also avoid expensive roadside assistance or locksmith call by leaving the spare car key with a friend or neighbor, and making sure that your car’s door locking mechanism is operating correctly. You can also reduce the risk of an accidental lockout by checking your car before you leave and storing a spare key in a safe place in case you forget. Contact us for more about our latest vehicles, and which are equipped with the security and convenience features that you desire.