How to Get Back in Your Car If You Have No Spare Key
You get out of your car and realise you've locked your keys inside. You may feel helpless and panicked.
If you're lucky, a friend or family member may have a spare key to allow access to your vehicle. If not, you might require an emergency locksmith or towing service for assistance.
1. Call a friend or family member
Sometimes we are rushing to get somewhere and then close the car door without thinking. Sometimes it happens when we are distracted, such as when we are chatting with someone on the phone or listening to a radio show and our brain doesn't quite focus. It's not fun to be locked out of your vehicle. It's even worse when you don't have a spare key. It can be incredibly stressful however the good news is that there are some effective ways to regain access.
Contact a family member or friend. This will give them a heads-up that you are in trouble and they might be able bring an extra key. If not, they will at the very least assist you with other tools that can be used to open the car. You can use items like a coat hanger made of wire or shoelaces.
Contact 911 immediately if the situation is dangerous such as when an elderly person, a child or anyone else's safety is in danger. You can dial 911 and they'll send an emergency crew to your location to break the window or open the door using a thin jim.
If the situation isn't dangerous, it's better to seek assistance from friends or family members before trying to unlock your vehicle on your own. DIY methods could cause damage to the door and activate security systems, or invalidate your warranty. It's important to note that these methods may not be compatible with newer cars due to their special locking mechanisms.
To avoid this occurring in the future take into consideration buying a spare key for your vehicle. They can be affordable for an ordinary metal key or more expensive for a sophisticated key fob. Either way, they will save you lots of stress in the future! It's also a good idea to store them in a secure location that is easy to access for example, in your purse or wallet.
2. Contact an expert locksmith
It's a given that you're likely to lock your keys inside your car at some point. Whether you were in a hurry or distracted, it can be a frustrating and embarrassing moment when you realize that the door is shut and your keys aren't to be found.
To avoid this, keep a spare at home, at work or in your bag for your gym. Many people also purchase a key chain which is attached to their purse or wallet in the event that they lose their keys. You will always have an extra key in your bag and will not have to worry about contacting roadside assistance or breaking into your vehicle.
If you don't own a spare, it is recommended that you call a professional locksmith. A professional locksmith will be able open your vehicle without causing damage to the lock and even create new keys on the spot. They'll also be able to offer advice about how to prevent being locked out of your car in the future.
If you're an active member of AAA you can have a locksmith sent to you swiftly and at a low cost. The majority of comprehensive auto insurance policies also include roadside assistance. These services will be able to help you get into your car quickly, but they may cost more than an experienced locksmith.
There are several DIY options to open your car without a key like a shoelace, wire hanger, or a curved wedge. These methods are dangerous, time-consuming, and more likely to harm your window or damage the lock. It is crucial to remain calm and use these tricks only as the last option. If you have pets or children in the vehicle, or are stuck on the side of a highway, it's important to call 911 immediately. You can get help from the police, or they can arrange for a towing company.
3. Contact a towing service
Next, you need to call a towing service. A majority of these services will open your car's door without causing damage. If you have an assistance plan for roadside emergencies, make sure that the number is programmed into your phone or that you are aware of it so that you can easily reach them. They may even offer to come and help you out for free. You can also call non-emergency police and tell them about your issue. They will give you advice on how to get into your car and will dispatch an emergency assistance person if needed.
Being locked out of your car is not a pleasant experience, especially when you're stuck in a hazardous location. You must always look around the surroundings before calling for assistance, especially if you are in an unfamiliar place or on a road that is busy at night. If you're not sure how to unlock your car, it is crucial to look at all the doors and windows. It could be that you have left a window partially open, which may allow you access.
Another alternative is to get into your car with tools such as a slim jim. However, this is not recommended and can damage the locks on your vehicle. You should also be aware that the majority of insurance policies will not cover these repairs. Therefore, it is important to be cautious before using any tool that allows access to your vehicle.
Keep an extra car key in your purse or wallet. It can be kept in a wallet or purse or buy an auto key holder with a magnetic box and put it on the bottom of your car. make spare key near me leave a spare key with a trusted friend or family member so that they can rescue them if needed.
You can also contact your local dealer and ask if they can help you out. The majority of dealers can provide you with temporary keys to enable you to return to your car. Be prepared to be asked for proof of ownership aswell in other personal information.
4. Call AAA
As an owner, you can do your part to reduce the likelihood that you will lock yourself out of your vehicle by keeping an extra key in a safe location. Keep the spare key in your wallet, purse, or one of the magnetic boxes that you can hide on the underside your vehicle. You could also give a spare to an acquaintance who lives near by or an individual from your family who might be able to assist you out in the event of a crisis. You may also consider having your vehicle identification number, also known as VIN, written on a piece paper inside the glove box to be able to quickly call the owner of the car to call you if you are locked out of the car.
You can call roadside help in the event that you don't have an extra. Moody says that some firms are experts at unlocking vehicles and will send technicians to your location within a couple of hours. Some companies, like AAA, will send a locksmith immediately. The cost of a roadside service will vary depending on the membership level you have as well as your coverage plan.
There are other ways to open your car without requesting roadside assistance, for instance using an inflatable wedge or Bobby pin. However, these methods can harm your door and should only be used as the last resort.
If you are unable to unlock your car it is recommended to call emergency services only in the event that there is in immediate danger. This is especially true if there are pets or children inside the vehicle, you're stuck in a traffic jam, or your vehicle is in a dangerous area. The police will typically unlock a vehicle for free but it's recommended not to do so and instead find a different method of getting back into the vehicle. You could be covered by your auto club membership or roadside assistance policy. Review the policy's terms to make sure. If not, you will need to pay for the locksmith service or roadside assistance.