Navigating Car Lockouts: 3 Common Scenarios
If you've ever been locked out of your car, you know the sinking feeling that comes with it. Even if you're just running late, being unable to access your vehicle can be extremely frustrating and stressful.
Fortunately, there are a few common lockout scenarios that you can prepare for in advance so that if they do happen, you know exactly how to handle them. Take a look at the three most common car lockout situations.
Lost Keys
The most common cause of car lockouts is simply losing your keys. This may seem obvious, but it can easily happen when you're in a rush or not paying attention. You might leave your keys in the ignition, or they could slip out of your pocket while you're running errands.
If this happens, you should first check your home and other places where you may have left them (work, school, etc.). If you still can't find them or think they might have been stolen, then it's time to call a locksmith who can help get you back into your car safely and quickly.
A locksmith might have to replace your keys entirely, or they may be able to create a new key from the lock itself. In some cases, they can even program a new key to match the existing one, especially if your car is equipped with an electronic key system.
Locked Keys Inside the Car
Another common lockout scenario is locking your keys inside the car itself. This often happens when rushing out of the house –– forgetting that those precious keys are still in the ignition. While you might be tempted to break into the car yourself, this is usually not a good idea.
Instead, you should call a locksmith who can unlock your car without damaging the lock or other components of your vehicle. Locksmiths are trained to use specialized tools to access locked cars, so they'll be able to get you back inside in no time.
But to avoid this situation, always double-check that you have all your belongings before leaving the vehicle.
Broken Key in Ignition or Lock Cylinder
When a key breaks off inside either the ignition or lock cylinder of the car door itself, the situation can get a bit tricky. This often happens when the key is old or made of weak material or has been forced into the lock.
This situation usually requires professional help because there is no easy way to remove such broken pieces without causing further damage to both parts and potentially affecting the future use of the lock. So if you encounter such a situation, contact a professional locksmith as soon as possible.
They'll carefully extract those broken pieces using specialized tools to protect the lock. They can also make you a new key so you can regain access to your car.
For more information, contact a locksmith near you.
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