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Six Ways to Get Locked Out of Your Car
Being locked out of your car can be a stressful and frustrating situation. There are a variety of safe and effective ways to gain access to your vehicle.
Calling roadside assistance or an urgent locksmith is the best choice for a locksmith, since they have the tools to open your vehicle without causing damage. Be calm and take several deep breaths will help you determine the most efficient solution.
1. Evaluate the Situation
Being faced with the dreaded locked-out of your car situation is always a nightmare however, it's essential to remain calm and evaluate the situation. You'll be able to make informed choices that increase your chances of successfully regaining your keys and getting back on the road in a short time. This comprehensive guide will highlight six of the most frequent lockout scenarios, as well as efficient solutions.
Forgetting or misplacing get my keys out of my car is a frequent reason for car lockouts. A lot of people are locked out of their cars because their key fobs won't work or the doors don't open. Whatever the reason it's essential to remain calm and follow the steps below to get back on the road in a hurry.
The first step is to reevaluate the situation to determine if it is feasible to make an at-home solution. For instance, if it's late at night or in a bustling area, it may not be a good idea to try to get inside your car through the trunk or rear window. You could end up damaging your car and put yourself in danger and also void your warranty.
If possible, call your contacts to see whether they have a spare or help in any other way. Consider using a roadside assistance app on your smartphone to call the towing or locksmith services. If you are unable to connect to any of these options it's time to seek help from a professional. A towing company with right skills will be able deal with your situation swiftly and safely.
2. Reach out to a spare Key
Keep the spare key in a secure place. This will allow you to avoid expensive roadside assistance or locksmith calls. You can ask someone in your family or a friend who knows the location where your spare key is kept to deliver it to you if you need it in an emergency. In some cases, you can even use a smart phone app to gain access to your car without having an actual key. This is a great option for those who have newer automobiles that can be controlled with the smartphone app!
If you don't have a spare, remain calm and assess the problem. Most of the time, when we are locked out of our vehicle it's because we shut the door while the keys still in the car. Make sure you check all windows and doors before you panic. There could be an entry point that you didn't even notice.
Another way to gain access to your vehicle is to use a tool such as a Slim Jim, inflatable wedges, bobby pins, or a flathead screwdriver. These tools can be dangerous and could cause damage to your vehicle. They should only be used as a last resort.
If all else fails then you can always call your automaker or a third-party roadside assistance service for assistance. Your service plan may cover the cost of sending a professional to unlock your vehicle. You can also employ locksmiths to respond promptly. In many urban areas, you can find a 24 hour locksmith who offers competitive rates and 24-hour service. Longo Toyota offers many vehicles with top security features. Make sure to look through our new inventory.
3. Call for Help
It is very likely that you will lock your keys inside your vehicle at some time. Lack of concentration, keys disappearing from your pocket or purse as you exit the vehicle, and malfunctioning locks can all cause this to happen. Whatever the reason, it's important to be calm and think about all your options.
Double-checking your doors is the first step. It may seem obvious, but many people forget to check before they close the door, particularly in a crowded parking lot or in a new surroundings. Contact 911 if you are in a position to not open the door. A quick dispatch will send a policeman out to help you. They may be able open your car, or they will call a tow truck for you, depending on the circumstances.
It's a good idea prepare ahead of time by stashing keys in your office or at home or leaving it with an amiable neighbor or friend. It is also recommended to make it a practice to ensure you have your keys when closing the car door.
Roadside assistance programs employ professionals who are certified to unlock most cars. They are the safest and most affordable option. Check that your insurance policy provides roadside assistance prior to making a make a call, since some don't. If you do not have roadside assistance, you may make contact with locksmith. Beware of scammers offering to unlock your car for a small fee. They may employ tools like slim jims to gain access to your vehicle and often result in costly and extensive damage to locking mechanisms.
4. Take a deep breath
The stress of panicking will only make the situation worse. Take a deep breath, assess the situation and follow the steps below to get back into your car quickly and in a safe manner.
First, ensure that you have locked your keys inside the car. Then, walk around the outside of your car to inspect all the windows and doors. If you have a hatchback or SUV, also check the trunk. Examine the surrounding area to determine if any potential hazards exist, such as an individual who is homeless or a suspicious activities that could put your security at risk.
You might be able to open a window to escape your car, but make sure you look for pedestrians or traffic before you make the move. You should also consider whether you have a spare key at home or if you have roadside assistance through your insurance provider. Many roadside assistance providers offer assistance for car lockouts in addition to other common problems like battery jump-starts or flat tires.
These preventative steps can prevent you from being locked out of your car in the future. You should also think about keeping a spare set of keys with a trusted family member so that they can open your car if you find yourself in a bind. You can also purchase a keyless system for your car to avoid the hassles of needing to fumble around with a spare set of keys when you're out and out and about. You can also use one of the tricks that professional mountain climbers use to escape from a difficult spot, such as threading a shoestring with an untied slip knot through the door to pull up a post lock or inflating a blood pressure cuff to create a gap that you can insert your hand or a tool through.
5. Call for Help
It's important to remain calm and logical when you are locked out of your car. Avoid using improvised tools like a wire coat hanger or shoelace, as these can cause damage and not work. Contacting a roadside service or a professional locksmith is the most secure and secure option. These services are typically provided by auto insurance companies or automakers however, they can be costly. They have the proper tools to unlock cars without causing damage.
Many newer vehicles offer technology that can help drivers if they get locked out of their cars. For instance, some automakers have smartphone apps that allow you to control your car from a distance, transforming your phone into a key fob which can open the doors and start the engine. If you have one of these vehicles, it's a good idea connect it to the app before you need it. Longo Toyota has a wide variety of newer models with impressive safety features that can assist you in avoiding lockouts in the future.
Other options to avoid an expensive locksmith or roadside assistance call include leaving an extra key with a neighbor or friend, as well as making sure that your car's locks are working properly. You can also reduce the risk of accidental lockouts by routinely checking your car before leaving, and keeping the spare key in a safe place in case you forget where you put it. Contact us for more about our new vehicles, and which ones have the security and convenience features you desire.