Six Ways to Get Locked Out of Your Car
Being locked out of your vehicle is an unpleasant and stressful situation. It's important to remember that there are safe and effective methods to gain access back to your vehicle.
A roadside assistance call or an urgent locksmith is the best choice, as they have the tools to open your vehicle without causing damage. Staying calm and taking a few deep breathes will help you determine the best solution.
1. Review the Situation
It's a hassle to be locked out of your car It's important to remain calm and evaluate the situation. You will be able make wise choices to increase the chances of regaining your keys quickly and successfully. This comprehensive guide will highlight six of the most common lockout scenarios, as well as effective solutions.
A common cause of a car lockout is forgetting your keys or misplacing the keys. A lot of people are locked out of their vehicle 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 return to driving swiftly.
In the beginning, you must reassess the situation to determine if it's appropriate to attempt an at-home solution. If it's late or in an area that's busy and crowded, it's not an ideal idea to reach into your car's trunk or rear window. This could not only be risky for damaging your vehicle and placing yourself at risk of injury, but it could cause the security system of your vehicle or invalidate your warranty.
Instead, if possible try reaching out to your contacts in your personal network to see if they've got an extra key or are able to help you out in some other way. If you have a phone with a built-in application that provides roadside assistance, you can use it to connect to a locksmith or towing service. If you are unable to connect to any of these options then you should seek professional help. A professional towing service will be able to address your situation quickly and safely.
2. Reach out to a spare Key
One of the best ways to avoid a costly locksmith or roadside assistance call is to keep a spare key safe. 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 in case you need it in an emergency. In certain situations the use of a smartphone app can be used to gain access to your car without the key. This is a great option for those with newer cars that permit the control of their vehicles from a smartphone app!
If you don't have a spare key, try to remain calm and evaluate the situation. When we lock ourselves out of our cars, it is often because we have closed the door without keys inside. Check all the doors and windows before you panic. There could be an entry point that is open that you hadn't noticed.
You could also gain access to your car using a device such as a Slim Jim or inflatable wedges. These tools are dangerous and can cause damage to your vehicle. They should be used only as a last option.
If all else fails, you can always contact your automaker or a third-party roadside assistance service for assistance. They can provide a professional locksmith to unlock your vehicle for you, and the cost could be covered by your service plan. Alternately, you can hire a local locksmith for rapid response. In most urban areas you can find a 24 hour locksmith who offers competitive rates and 24 hour service. Longo Toyota has many vehicles with stellar security features, so make sure to browse our latest inventory!
3. Need Help?
The odds of locking your keys in your car at one time or another are very high. Lack of concentration keys disappearing from your pocket or purse as you exit your vehicle, or malfunctioning locks can all cause this to happen. Whatever the cause is it's crucial to remain calm and consider all options.
The first step is to double-check every one of your doors. Although it may be obvious, many people forget to double-check before closing the door especially in a crowded parking lot or in an unfamiliar setting. If you're unable to open one doors, you should call 911 immediately. 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 the tow truck for you.
Prepare for this situation by keeping an extra key at the office or at home or giving it to a family member or a neighbor you can trust. It's also an excellent idea to make it a habit to always check for your keys before shutting the car door.
Professionals with training in roadside assistance are able to unlock the majority of vehicles. They're the most reliable, safest, and least costly option. Be sure to check that your auto insurance policy covers roadside assistance prior calling, as some do not. If you don't have roadside assistance you can contact a locksmith to get help. Beware of scammers that offer the ability to unlock your vehicle for a fee. They might use tools such as slim jims to break into your vehicle and often cause extensive and costly damage to the locking mechanisms.
4. Take an inhale
Being locked out of your vehicle is not a fun situation, but rushing to panic will only make things worse. Take a deep breathe take a look at the situation, and follow the steps below to swiftly and safely get back into your vehicle.
First, check to confirm that you've locked your keys inside the car. Then, take a walk around your vehicle and inspect all doors and windows. Inspect the trunk of your hatchback or SUV. Be sure to look around the area around you to determine whether there are any dangers that could be present, such as a homeless person or suspicious activities which could put your safety in danger.
It's possible to break a window out to escape the vehicle, but make sure to look around for pedestrians and traffic before you attempt this. Check if you have a spare key at home, or if your insurance company offers roadside assistance. Many roadside assistance services provide assistance for lockouts of cars, as well as other problems that are commonly encountered, like jump-starting batteries and flat tires.
By taking these preventative steps, you will prevent you from being locked out of your vehicle in the future. Consider keeping the spare key with someone in your family or a trusted friend to assist you if you ever are locked out. You could also consider investing in a keyless system for your vehicle to avoid the hassles of having to search for a spare when you're out and out and about. G28 can also employ a clever technique that professional mountaineers employ to escape a difficult area. For example you can string a shoestring through the door and tie an elastic knot to lift the post lock. Or, you can inflate a blood pressure cuff and create a gap to place your arm or use a tool.
5. Call for Help
When it comes to getting locked out of your car, it's important to keep a cool head and think about the situation rationally. Avoid using improvised tools like a wire coat hanger or shoelace, as these can cause damage and not work. The most secure and reliable option is to seek help from a roadside assistance service or professional locksmith. Numerous auto insurance firms and automakers provide these services, which usually come at a cost. These professionals are equipped with the best tools to unlock a vehicle without causing damage to it.
Many newer cars have technology that can aid drivers who get locked out. Certain automakers have smartphone apps that turn your phone into a remote control for your car, allowing you to unlock the doors and launching the engine. If you have one of these vehicles it's best to sync it with the app prior to when you'll need it. Longo Toyota has a wide variety of newer models with amazing safety features that could aid you in avoiding lockouts in the future.
Other alternatives to avoid a costly locksmith or roadside assistance call is to leave a spare key with a friend or neighbor, as well as making sure your car door locking mechanism works properly. Also, you can lower the chance of lockouts that happen accidentally by regularly checking your car prior to leaving, and storing the spare key in a secure location in case you forget where to put it. Contact us to learn more about our latest vehicles, and which ones have the security and convenience features that you want.