Six Ways to Get Locked Out of Your Car

It can be frustrating and stressful to find yourself locked out of your vehicle. There are a variety of secure and efficient ways to gain access to your vehicle.

Calling roadside assistance or an urgent locksmith is the best choice, as they have the tools to unlock your vehicle without causing any damage. Remaining calm and taking some deep breaths will help you determine the most efficient solution.

1. Review the Situation

It can be a bit frustrating to be locked out of your vehicle however it's crucial to remain calm and assess the situation. You'll be able to make informed decisions that will increase the chances of successfully regaining your keys and getting back on the road swiftly. This comprehensive guide will uncover six of the most common car lockout scenarios, and offer efficient strategies to resolve them.

The most common reason for a car lockout is not remembering your keys or misplacing keys. However, many people also get locked out of their cars because of malfunctioning key fobs or doors that won't open. Regardless of the cause it's essential to remain calm and take the following steps to get back on the road in a hurry.

The first step is to reevaluate the situation to determine if it is appropriate to attempt an at-home solution. If it's late or you're in a location that is crowded and crowded, it's not an appropriate idea to get into the trunk of your car or through the rear window. This will not only risk damaging your vehicle and putting yourself at risk of injury, but it may cause the car's security system or void your warranty.

If you can, contact your contacts to see whether they have a spare or help in any other way. Consider using a roadside assistance application that you can download on your phone to call the towing or locksmith services. If you're not able to reach any of these options, it's time to call for help from a professional. A towing service with the right skills will be able deal with your situation swiftly and safely.

2. Reach Out to a Spare Key

Keep your spare key in a secure location. This will allow you to avoid costly roadside assistance or locksmith calls. If you have a friend or family member who knows where the spare key is kept, ask them to drive it to you in the event in the event of an emergency. In certain situations, a smart phone application can be used to gain access to your car, without having the key. This is an excellent option for those who have newer cars that permit you to control them using the smartphone app!

If you don't have a spare key, try to remain calm and analyze the situation. When we lock out car services ourselves out of our cars most of the time, it's because we have closed the door but left keys inside. Check all the doors and windows before you panic. You might discover there is an unlocked entry point that you hadn't noticed.

Another method of getting access to your vehicle is using a tool like a Slim Jim, inflatable wedges, bobby pins or a flathead screwdriver. However, these are potentially dangerous tools that can cause damage to parts of your car or cause injuries, and they should be used only as an emergency.

If nothing else works, contact your automaker for assistance or a third-party roadside assistance provider. Your service plan might provide an expert locksmith to unlock your vehicle. Alternately, you can hire a local locksmith for rapid response. In most urban areas you can find a 24 hour locksmith that has competitive rates and 24-hour service. Longo Toyota offers many vehicles with top security features. Make sure to look through our latest inventory.

3. Need Help?

It is very likely that you will lock your keys inside your car at some moment. Lack of concentration, keys disappearing from your pocket or purse as you exit the vehicle, and malfunctioning locks are all reasons that can cause this to happen. Whatever the reason is it's essential to remain calm and consider all your options.

The first step is to double-check every one of your doors. It might seem obvious, but many people don't check before they close the door, particularly in a busy parking lot or unfamiliar environment. If you're unable to open any of the door. A quick dispatch will dispatch a police officer to assist you. They may be able to unlock your car, or they will summon a tow truck to assist you, based on the situation.

It's a good idea prepare in advance by storing an extra key in your office or home or entrusting it what to do when locked out of car - my review here - an amiable neighbor or friend. It's also an excellent idea to establish a routine of always checking for your keys before shutting the car door.

Roadside assistance programs have professionals who are certified to unlock most cars. They are the most secure and affordable alternative. Make sure that your auto insurance policy covers roadside assistance prior to making a call, as some policies don't. If you don't have roadside assistance you can call a locksmith for help. Beware of scammers offering to unlock your car for a cost. These people may use tools such as slim jims to gain access to your vehicle lockout. This can cause extensive and expensive damage to the locking mechanism.

4. Take a deep breath

The stress of panicking will only make the situation worse. Take a deep breathe, assess the situation and follow the steps below to swiftly and safely get back into your vehicle.

Verify that you've actually locked your keys inside the car. Then, take a walk around your vehicle and inspect all doors and windows. If you have a hatchback or SUV, check the trunk as well. Examine the surrounding area to see any potential dangers for example, an unidentified person or activity which could put your safety in danger.

You might be able to take a window off to escape your car, but make sure you check for pedestrians or traffic before you do so. You should also consider whether you have a spare key at home, or if have roadside assistance through your insurance company. Numerous roadside assistance providers provide assistance with car automotive lockouts in addition to other typical problems such as battery jump-starts or flat tires.

These preventative steps can prevent you from being locked out of your vehicle in the future. Consider keeping an extra key with someone in your family or a trusted friend to help you if ever you are locked out. Also, you can invest in an entry system that is keyless for your vehicle to avoid the hassle of fumbling around with a spare key when you're on the move. You can also use one of the tricks that professional mountain climbers use to escape from a difficult spot, such as threading a shoestring using a slip knot through the door to unlock a post lock or inflating a blood pressure cuff to create a gap that you can stick your hand or a tool through.

5. Call for assistance

If you are locked out of your car, it's essential to keep your cool and think in a rational manner. Avoid using improvised tools such as a coat hanger made of wire or shoelace, as they can cause damage and may not work. The most secure and reliable alternative is to get assistance from a roadside assistance service or professional locksmith. These services are typically provided by auto insurance companies or automakers, but they can be costly. They have the proper tools to unlock a car without causing damage.

A number of modern vehicles have technology that can assist drivers in the event that they are locked out of their vehicles. For example, some automakers offer smartphone apps which allow you to control your car from a distance by turning your phone into an ignition key that can unlock the doors and also start the engine. It's a great idea to connect your car with the app prior to using it. Longo Toyota has a wide range of newer models that come with impressive safety features that can assist you in avoiding lockouts in the future.

Other options to avoid the expense of a roadside locksmith or assistance call include leaving keys with a friend or neighbor, as well as making sure your car door locking mechanism works properly. You can also minimize the chance of an accidental lockout by checking your car before you leave and storing a spare key in a secure location in the event that you forget. Contact us for more about our latest vehicles, and which have the security and convenience features you want.