Have you ever locked your keys inside your vehicle? It’s the worst, isn’t it? It can be a huge time waster and a cause of extreme stress. In this post, we’ll walk you through what to do if you are ever locked out of your car. You’ll also get some tips for future reference.
It’s a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and you’re running errands to get things for a backyard BBQ you’re having later. You just picked up the groceries and are headed for the car (fumbling in your pocket for the keys) when the thought hits you, “did I leave the keys in the car?”
You peer inside the window, only to see your car keys sitting on the passenger seat where you left them while searching for your debit card. What to do now?
Don’t panic
Well, first things first, don’t panic. This is a common occurrence that happens to everyone at least once in their lifetime.
The first thing you should do is think, do you have a spare key? If you got two keys from the dealership when you bought your car, the spare key you have at home could be used to get you back into the car. You’ll just need to call someone to bring it to you.
If you don’t have a spare key, your next step is to call a locksmith to help you get back into your vehicle. Auto Locksmiths will respond quickly and send someone out to you immediately.
In this type of situation, there is not much you can do on your own to remedy the situation. Some suggestions that people have used in the past such as using a coat hanger or breaking a window, are not the best ideas and can be potentially dangerous. Here’s why:
Coat hangers are metal and quite sharp, and they can damage the locking mechanism inside your door. They can also scratch the paint and window tint on your car, which will cost money to fix. This used to work on cars with a rounded locking post, giving the hanger something to grab onto. But again, you’re damaging your car.
Breaking a window is not as easy as you think, and you could injure yourself in the process. Besides that, you’ll be at the mercy of car thieves who can get into your car the same way you did unless you can fix it immediately. A trip to the emergency room or having your car stolen is much more expensive than calling a locksmith.
Here is what you should do instead. Follow these steps for a safer, no-damage alternative:
1. Check all doors and windows
See if one of the other doors on the vehicle may be unlocked. You may not have locked all the doors when exiting the vehicle the last time. If one of them is unlocked or the window is down, you’re home free.
2. Call someone to bring you a spare key
If you have a spare key at home, or if your spouse has one, call them to come and let you in. It’s always a good idea to have at least one other person who has a key to your car for situations like this. It is often the quickest solution.
3. Call a professional, licensed automotive locksmith
If all else fails, call a car locksmith to get you back on the road again. You can click here brevardlock.com to hire the best locksmith in Merritt Island, FL. They can often be there in 30 minutes or less, and for much less than you think. A locksmith will be able to unlock your car without damaging it or breaking any part of the lock. They can also get you a replacement key so that you won’t have to worry about this happening again.
To prevent this from happening in the future, you should get a spare key and give it to someone you trust to bring it when you need it. You’ll never have to worry about getting locked out of your car again.
Calling a locksmith is always preferable to trying any of the other suggestions. There are many different ways that you could damage your car, and it’s probably best not to risk it in the first place.
