Getting locked out of your car can happen when you least expect it. You may close the door and realize your keys are still inside, lose your keys while you’re away from home, or discover that your key fob or vehicle lock is not working properly. Whatever caused the problem, being locked out of your car can leave you wondering what to do next.
What to Do If You’re Locked Out of Your Car
Check Every Door and the Trunk
If you have keys locked inside your vehicle, start by checking every door. It is possible that one door was not fully locked, even if the driver’s door is locked. If your vehicle has a trunk that can be opened separately, check it as well.
If you have a key fob, try it again from close to the vehicle. A weak or dead key-fob battery may prevent the buttons from working. If you have a physical key, try using it if your vehicle allows for manual entry.
If you have the manufacturer’s mobile app and remote unlocking was previously set up, use it to see whether you can unlock the vehicle from your phone.
Taking a few minutes to check these options may solve the problem without needing outside assistance.
Contact Someone With a Spare Key
If you are still locked out of your car, think about whether you have a spare key available. A family member or friend may have a spare key that they can bring to you.
Even if the spare key is at home, having someone bring it to you may be easier than trying to find another way into the vehicle. Keeping a spare key in a secure location or with someone you trust can make a future lockout much easier to handle.
If you are locked out somewhere away from home, consider your surroundings while waiting. If you are in an unsafe location, get somewhere safer if possible.
Avoid Trying to Force the Vehicle Open
When you are locked out, it can be tempting to try anything that might get the door open. Avoid using coat hangers, tools, or other improvised objects to reach through a window or force the door open.
These methods can affect the vehicle’s paint, window glass, weather stripping, door seals, or door-locking components. They may also create a more expensive problem than the original lockout.
If you have checked the doors, tried the available key or remote, and determined that a spare key is not an option, professional lockout assistance may be the safest next step.
When Lockout Assistance May Be Needed
If you have gone through the options above and are still locked out of your vehicle, getting roadside assistance may be the next step. A lockout service is designed to help regain access without resorting to improvised methods that carry added risk to the vehicle.
The type of assistance needed can depend on the vehicle and the reason you cannot get inside. If the problem involves a lost key or an issue that prevents the vehicle from being unlocked normally, additional services may sometimes be needed.
If you need assistance getting back into your vehicle, you can learn more about our Lockout Services.
What If a Child or Pet Is Locked Inside?
If a child or pet is locked inside the car, treat the situation as an emergency, particularly in extreme temperatures. Do not wait for roadside assistance. Call 911 immediately so emergency responders can assist.
Tell the 911 dispatcher that a child or pet is locked inside and provide your location.
How to Help Prevent Getting Locked Out
While no one plans on getting locked out of their vehicle, a few simple habits can help reduce the chance of it happening.
Before closing the door, make checking for your keys part of your normal routine. Keep your key or key fob in the same place when you are carrying it, and avoid setting it on the seat or inside the vehicle when you get out.
If your key fob begins showing signs of a weak battery, replace the battery rather than waiting for it to stop working. Keeping a spare key in a secure location at home or with someone you trust can also give you another option if you find yourself locked out of your car.
AAA also recommends using your physical key or key fob to lock your vehicle rather than manually locking it from inside, along with keeping a spare key available. You can find additional tips for avoiding car lockouts.
Related Posts
If you enjoyed reading this, then please explore our other articles below:
