Getting locked out of your car is far more common than you culd expect and while being stranded away from home can be scary, in most situations getting back into the vehicle shouldn't take too much time. The first rule here would be to remain calm and avoid taking any actions that could possibly damage your automobile. See our car key replacement service. You can also read our spare key guide.
Before rushing to contact professionals, see whether one of the vehicle's doors or the trunk is open. Having another key or getting hold of it may be the quickest way to deal with the situation. If you have a smartphone application that allows unlocking the doors from afar, then use it.
In case you suspect there is a child or an animal trapped inside, handle the situation right away. Extreme temperatures can turn dangerous in a matter of minutes. In such cases, call the police by dialing 911 right away. Once done, contact a locksmith service and inform them about the situation.
There are many people who decide to break into their cars on their own, but doing so can easily ruin the door, its lock, the window or even cause harm to the paint. Specialized services have tools allowing to unlock a car without damaging any of its parts.
Before contacting locksmiths, find out exactly where your car is located and note down that information. Mentioning the type, make, and year of production may come in handy as well. Typically, a professional locksmith asks for certain documentation as proof of ownership.
Trying to push the key further into the lock or ignition is wrong. Professionals can safely remove whatever part is stuck in the door's mechanism or ignition and provide you with a new key.
As no precaution guarantees never to get locked out again, making sure you have a spare key is the best you can do. Also, don't forget to make a habit of checking whether your key is safe in your pocket or purse. Remember that if your car works via key fob, take it out.
A snapped key is a small problem until the wrong move makes it big. What to try, what to skip, and when to call for extraction.
Read article →Cutting a spare while your original still works is cheap and quick, and turns a future crisis into a simple errand.
Read article →Deep cold, snow, road salt, and summer heat all stress your keys and fobs. Here's how to protect them year-round.
Read article →