Locked Keys in My Car – What to Do
Think about when you realize – oh no, I’ve locked my keys in the car: It usually happens when you’re stressed, or running late, or some other unusual circumstance. But locking your keys in your car is a true emergency. It happens, all too frequently; and it likely will happen to you, if it hasn’t already. The best possible way to be prepared: Have the number for a competent, reliable and qualified locksmith handy.
In the Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Winchester, Menifee/Sun City, Canyon Lake, Perris, Nuevo, and Temecula areas, you can count on Perris Locksmith for all your key and lock needs.
Here’s a look at some of the issues involving keys locked in a car, how to avoid it, and what to do, and what not to do about it.
When You Think: I’ve Locked the Keys In My Car
The simplest way to handle the problem of keys locked in your car is not to let it happen in the first place. That said, before you absolutely panic, do the logical thing first:
Check all your doors, windows, and the trunk or back hatch.
Perhaps one of them is unlocked, which will save the day.
If that doesn’t work, and in many instances it won’t, or if you have already checked, there are some other potential solutions:
If you have a key fob, check it carefully.
Many are equipped with a key on the inside, in case the fob stops working due to, for example, battery failure. It’s a quick, easy solution to get you back into your vehicle.
Check for your hidden key.
Maybe you or a family member anticipated the problem and hid a spare key somewhere on the car’s underside. If you haven’t done that, it’s a great idea to consider for the future, to get you out of a keys-locked-in-car scenario.
Use your spare key.
Maybe you’ve thought about the possibility of locking your keys in your vehicle, and you carry a spare on your person. Now’s the time to use it. This is also a good idea for future consideration, to avoid being stranded with keys locked in your car.
Spare key with family or friend.
Think about whether anyone you know might have a spare key, or know where one is; for example, hanging on a peg or sitting in a drawer at home or at a friend’s place. Now would be the time to take advantage of it.
Avoid Trying to Get into a Newer Model Car with the Keys Locked in it
Today’s cars are more secure than ever; certainly they are way more secure than older models. The days of using a coat hanger or piece of wire, or metal rod, to find your way into the car’s interior to unlock it – well, they are pretty much over. So is the idea of picking the lock with a bobby pin to some other type of implement. Here are some reasons to avoid “breaking in” to your vehicle when the keys are locked in it:
You may set off the car alarm.
On the one hand, it might be an idea to let others know you’re in an emergency situation, but a blaring alarm or car horn is probably not the best way to go about it. Many vehicles now have alarms which go off with actions such as trying to pick a lock, or get inside a window. It’s not a good idea anymore to attempt to break into your own car.
You could have the vehicle shut down.
Many newer vehicles are electronically set to shut down, so they can’t start if they sense an intruder. This means that even if you were able to get into your vehicle, it wouldn’t start – it would have shut itself down, thinking you were a thief.
You could damage your paint or metal trim.
Trying to wedge your way into your car lock or window with some sort of implement may only serve to scratch or damage the nearby surfaces of your car. It’s not recommended.
You could damage your lock mechanism.
Again, attempting to pick the lock could result in damage to the inner tumbler and the rest of the mechanism your key fits into. The end result would be that you likely still wouldn’t be able to get into your car, and you might have a hefty bill to repair the damage you did to the lock.
Your Best Course of Action When You Lock Your Keys in Your Car
It’s simple: Call a reputable, experienced auto locksmith, preferably one in your area who is open 24/7. Better yet, keep the name and number of a good locksmith in your wallet, or in your phone. The responsive locksmiths out there, like Perris Locksmith, would be more than happy to get you out of a jam when you need it most. You can count on it. So when you realize you’ve locked the keys in your car, you know exactly what to do.