SHERLOCK LOCKSMITH / FEB 10, 2021
I Locked My Keys in My Car! What Should I do?
If you ever found yourself locked outside of your car, and said that “I left my keys inside my car” does not make you, in any way, an irresponsible driver. In fact, you should know that it’s a lot more common than you think, to the point where it could be considered a fact of life. This is basically a situation that makes you human and can happen to the best of us. Now, let’s explore how situations like this come about, and how you can navigate it successfully.
In a nutshell, if you realize that you’re in a situation where your keys have been left inside your car, then the only best way to go is to begin looking for a solution immediately that helps you get you back in your car and in touch with the car keys you left inside. However, this doesn’t mean that you should leave your car unattended, though, especially if your car keys are in a visible location like the ignition. Here are ways to help you regain access into your car:
1. Make sure there is no other way to get back inside your car
The last thing you want to hear during these unfortunate turn of events is that you should double check your car and make sure that you left your car keys inside. It’s not as if you need another constant reminder of the state of duress you’re in? Trust me, I get it. However, you shouldn’t let this state of duress leave your keys locked inside your car, because the most simple solution to your problems might be closer than you think. Sometimes, the answer to your problems might be in your pocket; but this is often overlooked, as a majority of drivers tend to look for grandiose and sweeping remedies for their problems.
In these kinds of situations, taking the time to double check that your vehicle has no accessible entry points before you call a car lockout service, because this can save you a great deal of time and money. This is always the first step you should take calmly when you find yourself saying “I left my keys inside my car.” If your car keys are locked inside your car or trunk, check to see if all of your car doors are locked with no accessible entry points. If they are, turn your attention to the trunk of your car.
Once your trunk is unlocked, and your key is in there, then your journey of having a car lockout situation is done and you can go back to your normal life, but this is extremely unlikely. If the key is in the main compartment in the car instead of the trunk, then you will have to do more work. For some vehicles, the access to the main compartment could be done via the trunk. If your car is built this way, then you will be able to regain access to your keys. If these aforementioned solutions do not apply to you, though, then you will have to keep reading until you get to the appropriate solution for your vehicle.
2. See if you have access to a set of spare keys
It’s not uncommon for drivers to have a set of spare car keys for their vehicles. In fact, spare keys aren’t only beneficial to automotive owners; but it’s also extremely important for homeowners, business owners, and just about anyone who utilizes keys in their daily lives. If you have a spare key on hand in a car lockout situation, then it should be easy for you to regain access to your car, and your original set of keys inside. However, these kinds of situations are highly unlikely, as car lockout situations mostly involve drivers who do not have access to a set of spare keys, or have their spare keys left inside the vehicle.
For drivers who like to keep their car keys in separate locations, though, this might just be the best solution for you in order to get yourself out of a car lockout. In situations like this, it would help to call someone you trust to bring you your spare keys. This only works if the person that holds your spare key is in close proximity to you, and if they are willing to bring you your spare key in the first place, though. If you’re far away from them or they do not have the time to bring your spare keys, then you will have to find other ways.
It should go without saying that if you don’t have a hold of a spare key, or you do not have a trusted person to give said keys, then this solution is not the best fit for you. Although, it is definitely in your best interest if you do get a set of spare keys once you get yourself out of this situation, so as to minimize the chances of this happening to you again. It should also be noted that if you are in a far-away location, other solutions can help you back into your vehicle in a more expedient fashion.
3. Utilize some DIY tips and tricks to unlock your vehicle
When it comes to solving car lockouts, there are many DIY tips and tricks that you can take advantage of to regain access to your vehicles when you find yourself repeating the phrase “I left my keys inside my car and I can’t open it!”. A car lockout situation can, indeed, be quite the ordeal; but there are always solutions to every problem in helping you get yourself behind the wheel again.
In terms of DIY solutions, there are a few handy ones that could be useful in your arsenal. The probabilities of these success rates in DIY car unlocking vary from one situation and another; such as the state or the make and model of your car. This will make much more sense as we go along, but we at Sherlock locksmith generally do not advise resorting to DIY solutions, as one wrong move can do more harm than good.
Drivers have the ability to use any tool from shoe laces, to professional tools such as slim jims and probes which are also used by professional locksmiths. Some of these solutions can be found within a stone’s throw, but some other tools might have to be bought from hardware stores, which have a possibility of not being near the location of your car. If you find yourself in a car lockout situation in a Home Depot parking lot, though, then you are in luck, sort of.
The extent to which these tools can be used, as mentioned before, depends on the make, model and state of your car as of now. It also depends on how accessible the other elements of your car door are. Attempting to regain access to your keys will involve having to circumvent and manipulate your door locks in one way or another.
If your car uses post locks, then using your shoe laces could help you unlock them; this, however, becomes a very different story if your car uses sliding locks or push locks. If you’re planning to utilize DIY solutions, though, it is a must to remember that they take time to master and be implemented successfully. If you’re a novice when it comes to car lockouts, this usually isn’t recommended as you can break your car lock, which can be more costly and time-consuming.
4. Call a professional for assistance in getting back into your car
If all of the aforementioned solutions don’t work for you, then it is in your best interest to hire a trusted, bonded, and insured professional locksmith to provide car lockout services in order to regain access to your car, such as ours at Sherlock Locksmith! Our team of highly-trained and well-versed professions have the brains, the brawn, and the experience necessary to help you unlock your deadlocked car doors in almost no time.
Professionals can range from full-service locksmiths to police offers, to companies that offer roadside assistance. Here at Sherlock Locksmith, we have a certain trait that puts us over the edge compared to the rest of the competition – experience. All of our locksmiths have years of training and experience when it comes to dealing with car lockouts, and when you hire us, you can rest assured that your car doors will be unlocked with ease and precision without harming the lock itself.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you mumble “I locked myself out of my car over and over!” and you feel like there’s no other solutions, do not hesitate to reach out for professional assistance as this is the only way sometimes to regain access to your car. Calling for professional assistance like the ones we provide at Sherlock is much different than simply calling someone you trust and has a copy of your spare keys to bring them for you.
Some drivers often shy away from calling expert locksmiths because of the costs that come with it, as well as the shame and embarrassment of saying that they locked their keys inside. If you are wondering how much it costs, it definitely isn’t free; but the emergency car lockout services we provide at Sherlock are at affordable prices with the best quality possible.
There is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed of by locking yourself outside of your car; it has happened to many people so many times before, and it’s a normal reminder that you’re human. If you need a high quality emergency lockout service, do not hesitate to make the call, especially when you do not have the luxury of time and the situation is an emergency. Professional assistance usually comes in the form of help from automotive locksmiths, or emergency locksmiths, who can assist you with regaining access to your car.
If you feel as if you are in a life-threatening situation though because your car is deadlocked, then the first people you should call is the police. On the other hand, if you simply need help in regaining access to your car, call Sherlock Locksmith now at 817-438-1962, and our technicians will be there to assist you as soon as possible.
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