Six Ways to Get Locked Out of Your Car

It can be extremely frustrating and stressful to find yourself locked out of your vehicle. There are many safe and effective ways to gain entry into your vehicle.

It is recommended to contact roadside assistance or an emergency locksmith for help since they have the tools required to open your car without causing damage. Remaining calm and taking several deep breaths will help you determine the most efficient solution.

1. Assess the Situation

The dreaded locked out of your car scenario is always stressful It's crucial to stay calm and assess the situation. You'll be able to make smart decisions to increase the chances of getting your keys back quickly and efficiently. This comprehensive guide will reveal six of the most common lockout situations in cars and offer effective solutions for solving these issues.

The most common reason for a car lockout is not remembering your keys or losing the keys. However, many people also are locked out of their vehicles because of malfunctioning key fobs or doors that don't open. Whatever the reason, it's important to remain calm and follow the steps listed below to get back on the road quickly.

In the beginning, you must reassess the situation to determine if it's appropriate to attempt a DIY solution. For example, if it's late at night or in a crowded area, it might not be the best option to try to get inside your car through the trunk or back window. You could damage your car and put yourself in danger, and could also void your warranty.

If possible, contact your contacts to inquire if they can provide an extra or assist in any other way. You might want to consider using a roadside assistance application on your phone to contact the towing or locksmith services. If you're unable to contact any of these options then it's time to contact for assistance from a professional. A professional towing service can handle your situation quickly and safely.

2. Look for an extra key

Keep your spare key in a safe location. This will help you avoid costly assistance from the roadside or locksmith calls. Request someone in your family or a friend who knows the location where your spare key is stored to bring it to you should you need it in an emergency. In some instances, you can even make use of a smartphone app to gain access to your vehicle without having the actual key. This is an excellent option for those who have newer cars, which can be controlled using the smartphone app!

If you don't have a spare key, try to remain calm and analyze the situation. In most cases, when we get locked out of our vehicle it's because we shut the door with the keys still inside. Make sure to inspect all of the doors and windows before you panic. You might discover there is an entry point that is open that you didn't notice.

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 break the parts of your car or cause injuries and should be used only as an emergency.

If nothing else works Contact your automaker for assistance or a third-party roadside assistance provider. They can send a professional to unlock your vehicle for you, and the cost may be covered by your service plan. You can also employ locksmiths who can respond promptly. In many urban areas, you can find a 24 hour locksmith that offers reasonable rates and a 24-hour service. Longo Toyota offers many vehicles that are equipped with excellent security features. Be sure to check our latest inventory.

3. Help is available

The chances that you'll lock your keys in your car at some time or another are very high. Inattention, keys disappearing from your purse or pocket as you leave the vehicle, and malfunctioning locks are all reasons that can cause this to happen. No matter what the cause is it's essential to be calm and think about all your options.

The first step is to double-check all of your doors. It may seem obvious, but many people don't examine the door prior to closing the door, especially in a parking lot that is crowded or in a strange setting. If you are unable to open any of the doors, call 911 immediately. A quick dispatch will send a policeman out to assist you. Based on the circumstances, they might be able to open your vehicle or summon tow-trucks for you.

Prepare for this situation by keeping a spare key at the office or at home or giving it to a neighbor or friend you trust. It's also a good idea to make it a habit of checking your keys prior to closing the car door.

Roadside assistance programs have experts who are trained to unlock car service vehicles in a variety of ways. They're your best bet for the most secure, reliable, and least costly alternative. Make sure you check your auto insurance policy covers roadside assistance prior calling, as some don't. If you do not have roadside assistance, you can contact locksmiths. Beware of the scammers and crooks who advertise on the Internet to unlock your vehicle for a fee however. They may employ tools such as slim jims in order to gain access to your vehicle. This can cause severe and expensive damage to the locking mechanism.

4. Take a deep breath

Being locked out of your vehicle is not a fun situation, but being panicked will only make it 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.

Examine if you have really locked your keys in the car. Then, walk around the outside of your vehicle to check all the doors and windows. If you have a hatchback or SUV be sure to also check the trunk. Be sure to look around the surrounding area to determine any potential hazards such as a homeless person or suspicious activity which could put your safety in danger.

It is possible to break a window out to escape your car, but be certain to check your surroundings for pedestrians and traffic before you attempt this. You should also think about whether the spare key is at home or if you have roadside assistance from your insurance provider. Numerous roadside assistance providers provide assistance for car lockouts, in addition to other typical issues like battery jump-starts and flat tires.

Taking these preventative measures can help prevent your car from being locked out of your car in the future. Keep the spare key with someone in your family or a trusted friend to assist you should you find yourself locked out. You can also consider an entry system that is keyless for your vehicle to eliminate the hassle of fumbling around with a spare set of keys when you're out and about. You can also make use of one of the tricks that many professional mountain climbers do to get out of a tricky spot, such as stringing a shoestring through an untied slip knot through the door to open the post lock or inflating the blood pressure cuff to create a gap you can put your hand or a tool through.

5. Help is available

It's important to remain calm and rational when you are locked out of your vehicle. Avoid using improvised tools like a coat hanger made of wire or shoelace, as they can cause damage and may not work. Calling a roadside service or a professional locksmith is the most reliable 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 a vehicle without causing damage.

A number of modern vehicles have technology that can aid drivers who are locked out of their cars. For instance, certain automakers have smartphone apps which allow you to control your car remotely and transform your phone into an ignition key which can open the doors and also start the engine. If you own one of these vehicles it's a good idea to sync it with the app prior to when you'll need it. Longo Toyota has a wide selection of models that are modern and have amazing safety features that could assist you in avoiding lockouts in the near future.

Other options to avoid a costly locksmith or roadside assistance call include leaving an extra key with a friend or neighbor and making sure your car door lock is working correctly. Also, you can lower the risk of accidental lockouts by making a habit of checking your car before leaving, and keeping a spare key in a safe place in case you forget where you put it. Contact us for more about our new vehicles, and which have the security and convenience features that you desire.