Steps To Take When You Lock Keys In Your Vehicle

If you are distracted and accidentally lock your keys inside your vehicle, your first feeling will most likely be one of dread. You will want to work quickly in finding a way inside so you can get back on the road. When keys are locked in a vehicle, there are a few tactics you can try to get your vehicle unlocked. Here are some steps to follow when you can see your keys in your vehicle while you are locked on the outside.

Assess The Situation

Most people will panic when they realize their keys are locked in their vehicle. Take a deep breath and try to relax so you can deduce a way to gain entry. Check each door to make sure there is not another one open, giving you a quick entry. Check each window and see if any are rolled down enough to use as an entryway to try to open the lock below. Check to see if your trunk is open. In some vehicle models there is a latch inside the trunk that allows you to push the wall away, allowing you to crawl into the vehicle from the back.

Call A Locksmith

If you have a baby, a small child or a pet locked in the vehicle, do not waste time trying to break into the vehicle on your own. Call an automotive locksmith immediately. It gets extremely hot in a vehicle after only a few minutes, so time is of the utmost importance. If a locksmith cannot commit to coming to your aid immediately, call the police.

Many people will call a locksmith to come to their aid after trying to break in on their own. If you do not wish to take the chance of damaging your vehicle, forego trying yourself and call for a quick entry. If damage does occur when a locksmith tries gaining entry, it will be totally insured so you can get it repaired.

Call An Automotive Dealer

If it is daytime when you lock your keys in your vehicle, you can try calling an auto dealership to see if they can make a key for you so you can get inside. If your dealership is nearby, they may even drive it to you so you consider purchasing a new vehicle from them in the future.

Use A Wire Hanger

If you have an older vehicle, you may be lucky enough to be able to get inside on your own using a wire coat hanger. Straighten the hanger so it forms a long rod. Make a small bend in one end to use as a hook. Push the hooked end of the hanger through the gap between the top of the driver's or passenger's window and the rubber gasket around the glass. You may need to push a wedge in place between the glass and rubber to give the hanger a bit more room to get through. Position the hooked end of the hanger over the knob of the lock switch located near the bottom of the interior of the window, and pull up to open. To learn more, speak with someone like A-Okay Lock & Key Inc.