Locked out of your car & not sure what to do? Call (321) 294-0415 for free advice on the best action to take in your situation. Hiring a automotive locksmith usually is the quickest and most cost-effective option.
There are few things more frustrating than locking your keys in the car. Obstacles make cruising along the highway of life bumpy and the last thing you need is to experience the overwhelming feeling of helplessness that comes with being stranded on the road with no help in sight. On top of being scary, it can be annoying and an inconvenience when this happens while you're running late or stuck in bad weather. I will never forget the time my car automatically locked me out while I cleaned the snow off it. I drove an automatic 1993 Nissan Maxima that had a locking mechanism which was triggered when the car was turned on. Well this is what happened, I turned the car on and while it warmed up I thought I would clean the snow... without thinking I closed the door and, click, the doors all unlocked. I was stuck on my college campus and since I was a commuter I had to call for assistance.
Both my father and public safety came to help me, which took about 45 minutes of me standing in the snowy college parking lot embarrassed and cold.
Luckily in today's world of key-less entry, locking your keys in the car may be a problem of the past.
However there are still certain precautions one can take to guard against these irritable inconveniences.
Programming the phone number for a local locksmith should be priority after your mom and the local Chinese take-out restaurant.
Having a locksmith you know and trust may help you out of multiple jams from locking your keys in your car to locking yourself out of your home.
Some companies have 24/7 assistance while others have office hours. This may be a good and wallet-friendly option for anyone who has locked themselves out while still at home and not in a hurry.
Did you accidentally lock the car with the keys in the ignition while clearing the trunk of groceries? If the trunk is open, you may have an easy out. The back seat of many cars fold down, to make extra room in the trunk. Take advantage of this opportunity by crawling into the trunk and towards the car key.
Modern day cars now come with keyless remotes that lock/unlock and start your car all from the comfort of your own home. Keep an additional remote hidden inside your house or in your purse/wallet. While these accessories can be expensive, the hassel-free relief may be worth it.
Some cars also have door keypads located underneath the handle. These codes can be personalized for you.
This is a great option available for most makes and models that will guarantee a driver is never locked out of their car again. Just don't forget the passcode!
A friend may be able to pick you up and take you to the dealership, where you may have access to locksmith services. If you lost your keyless remote, the dealership may be able to replace it (but again, this may be a costly option).
A last resort “solution” may be to break in through the window or door. Ask yourself if breaking in is worth it and assess the damage risk. If the pros out weigh the cons, here are two methods that you can use. These may not work with newer models but should work with older cars, especially those with an interior locking mechanism.
The coat hanger method will only work if you have a .. duh... metal coat hanger on hand. Stretch out the hanger so you have a long straight piece with a hook at the end. Insert the hook into the car by fitting it between the window and car frame. Ease the hook down along the window until you get to the lock, fit the hook around the lock, and lift.
A second method of breaking in is by using a Slim Jim, and no I don't mean a stick of meat. The non edible Slim Jim is a thin metal lock pick that works by manipulating the levers and rods that operate the door. One end of the tool is hooked, and this hooked end is slipped into the car between the window and surrounding rubber seal, connecting to the rods and inadvertently manipulating the locking mechanism. This is a highly valued tool with positive reviews by customers and can be purchased for $10-$20. Before purchasing, be sure to do your research and check with your car dealership to see if this tool will work on your vehicle.
Remember, “if there's something weird, and it don't look good... who are you gonna call?” Well, in this case, not ghost busters. But definitely 911. Emergency roadside assistance will connect you with local authorities to help you out of a jam. This is especially important to remember if you've locked yourself out with your children still in the car, if you're stuck on the road in a blizzard, or a number of other equally drastic emergencies.