Being locked out of your car is a common occurrence that can be a major inconvenience. It’s important to stay calm and understand how to regain access to your vehicle without causing unnecessary damage.
Follow these helpful tips from Breen Bros Towing to ensure that you never get locked out again!
1. Broken Keys
When keys break in locks, they can often get stuck inside and become difficult to turn or remove. This is one of the most common reasons for Auto Lockouts in Boynton Beach FL and can be caused by a variety of things. For example, a key may break in a lock due to excessive force being applied while turning the key or by using a tool that is too sharp to penetrate the lock. Additionally, a key can break in a lock if it is left in hot weather for too long.
Another reason a key might break in a lock is because it has been worn down over time due to use beyond its intended purpose. For example, using a key to open packages or tins of paint can wear down the teeth and cause them to bend. Additionally, if a key is left in a pocket or bag that bounces around often the keys can get damaged.
There are several ways to prevent this from happening, including making it a habit to double-check for your keys before leaving your vehicle and keeping a spare key with a friend or family member. Additionally, it is a good idea to regularly clean and lubricate your car’s locks. If you do find yourself in a situation where your key is broken in a lock, try using pliers to grip the broken section from both sides and leverage it out. If pliers aren’t available, you can also try wiggling the broken part of the key back and forth while pulling it to help break any binding that is holding it in place.
2. Damaged Transponder or Key Fob
Despite their small size and appearance, modern key fobs are actually quite delicate. If they’re crushed, exposed to too much moisture, or even just have dead batteries, the electronic code that communicates with the car’s receiver can become corrupted. This can cause a key to stop working, leading to a lockout situation.
If your key fob seems to be having problems, it may be helpful to try a few things before calling a professional. Try using a metal hanger to clear a jam in the lock or melting ice with a hairdryer before trying to open it. If the problem persists, it’s best to call a locksmith and have them take a look at it.
Whether you’ve misplaced your keys at home or lost them in the middle of nowhere, being locked out of your vehicle can be an annoying and frustrating experience. But, if you know who to call for help, you can avoid unnecessary stress and frustration. Be sure to add a local car lockout service’s number to your phone in case of an emergency and keep their contact information handy. You never know when you’ll need it! Also, be sure to ask the car lockout service about their availability and response time. This can make a huge difference in how quickly you get back on the road.
3. Accidentally Leave Your Keys Inside
It’s a common scenario: You’re running late for work, you rush out to your car parked in the driveway, and just as you’re about to jump in and speed off – you realize that your keys are locked inside. It happens to the best of us, and it can be one of the most frustrating and expensive Auto Lockouts in Boynton Beach FL to deal with.
To avoid this, establish a routine of always double-checking that you have your keys before exiting the vehicle. It’s also a good idea to keep a spare key in a secure, yet easily accessible location (like at home or with a trusted friend), and to periodically inspect and maintain your door locks and key fobs.
Many people are tempted to try and break into their own cars in the event of an accidental lockout, but this can often lead to more damage than it’s worth, particularly if your doors or window are damaged. If you have a roadside assistance provider like AAA, they can often get you back into your car with little to no damage, but this service may come with a small fee depending on your membership level.
If you don’t have a roadside assistance service, there are other tactics that can be used to open a car without a key, including using a rod or straightened wire clothes hanger to create an opening between the top of your car door frame and the car body. This method is generally used for older vehicles that don’t use power door locks or have them located on the armrest.
4. Lost or Stolen Keys
Even the most careful drivers can experience a car lockout. These situations can be more frustrating than a home lockout because they leave you stranded in an unfamiliar place without any immediate solutions. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to prevent car lockouts from happening in the future, including getting roadside assistance to have your keys replaced and investing in modern security solutions like smart locks that allow you to unlock your vehicle remotely.
When you lose your keys, the most important thing to do is to calmly call a professional locksmith to help you. They can replace your keys and even reprogramme your car to work with a new key if necessary. They can also advise you on how to avoid losing your keys in the future, such as storing them somewhere that you or someone else can easily find or making sure your door and window locks are properly maintained.
While a lockout is always annoying and frustrating, it can be a valuable learning experience. By taking the right measures to prevent lockouts, such as having spare keys in a safe place and utilizing modern security solutions like smart locks, you can ensure that this problem never occurs again. In addition, identifying the root cause of your lockout can help you prevent it from occurring in the future.
