Preventing Car Lockouts Lockouts in cars can be frustrating and stressful There are, however, ways to avoid them The first step is to remain calm and evaluate the situation with care The stress of panic can cloud your judgment and make it difficult to find an answer In the next step, seek assistance if you need it This is the most secure and least damaging method Make sure you have your keys in order before leaving the car Being locked out of your car is one of the most common problems that drivers face It can happen at the time you least expect it, which can cause a lot of frustration and stress There are ways you can make sure this issue doesn't happen again occurring in the future Check all your car doors for your keys before you panic It is also a good idea to empty your pockets and bags, in case you have accidentally dropped your keys somewhere The last thing to do is take a look back at your day to see whether you accidentally dropped your keys or reached inside your bag for something to take them out of the way Many people try DIY ways to gain access to their cars when they are locked out, such as using coat hangers or bobby pins for picking the lock However these methods are usually risky and could damage the locks or windows of your vehicle Modern cars also have advanced alarms for security and lock systems that will start if these devices are used to gain access to the car In addition to utilizing an experienced locksmith or a roadside assistance service, it's important to keep a spare key on hand You can find a wide range of different options, including the universal car key in stores like your local hardware store or discount department stores A spare key will ensure you can get into your car quickly and conveniently when you're stuck in a tight spot If you're the first owner of a car, or bought your vehicle as a pre-owned certified model, you may be entitled to free roadside assistance from the website of the manufacturer or dealer These services can include help with car lockouts as well in a myriad of other problems You can also download the HONK application to your smartphone to connect to a local locksmith or towing service to assist you in times of need In contrast to traditional roadside assistance groups, HONK has no membership costs or charges for up-front services and will let you know what the service will cost prior to when they arrive Keep a spare key in Hand A spare key is the ideal option to prevent car lockouts You'll still have access to your car if you lose your primary key It also keeps you from needing to contact an emergency locksmith service It can be very frustrating to get locked out of your vehicle however, you must remain calm and rational to determine the best option In most cases, calling roadside assistance is the best option, since these professionals have the tools needed to unlock your vehicle without causing damage If you don't have a roadside assistance plan, however, you can try calling a locksmith instead You can keep a spare at your office or home This is a great option for those who share cars or have shared homes, as it can make it easier to manage schedules and ensure that all your keys are always where you'll need them You can also leave an extra key with a family member or friend, if you trust them to return it to you in case in an emergency Once you have an extra key, make sure to test it to be sure it functions properly You should also store your spare key in a location that is difficult to find by a burglar If you're not sure where to put your spare key, think about using a key lockbox that only you and trusted people have access to In the end, you may prefer to give the spare key to a family member who lives nearby and can bring it to you if you require it Finally, you should be aware that a spare key may eventually cause damage to your original key, so it's an ideal idea to swap out the spare every month or more This will keep your original key from wearing down and help you avoid problems in the future It can be somewhat difficult to do but it will prevent you from spending money on emergency locksmith services in the future Use a Wedge Tool, as well as a Long Reach Tool Car lockouts occur for a number of reasons Certain car lockouts are due to human error, while others are caused by technical issues It is important to do everything you can to avoid such instances There are few tools you can keep on hand to prevent getting locked out of your vehicle One option is to make use of wedges to create a gap between the door frame and the body of the vehicle Then, you can move a rod, or a straight wire clotheshanger through the gap to activate the inner door handle But, this method isn't easy to maneuver through a tight space An alternative is to invest in a long-reach tool designed for car lockouts Many such tools have a sleeve with a flexible design that can be used to protect the paint, weather stripping and edge of the door from being damaged during an emergency lockout The sleeve also serves to protect your fingers and hands when using the long-reach tool These tools are bent into common configurations so that they can be utilized immediately in all situations Some tools even have a contrasting colour to make them easier to locate in dim light The Ultimate Long Reach Tool Kit gives you the most versatility It comes with four of the most commonly used long-reach tools, plus a Button Master, Mega Master snare two air wedges and protective lockout tape Some people will try to break into their vehicles with a hanger or rod to gain access back inside, but this could be dangerous and expensive It can damage the locking mechanism of the car and the door, paint, and window https//wwwg28carkeyscouk/car-opening-unlock-your-vehicle/ breaking in can cause an investigation by the police, and possibly additional charges It is best to call roadside assistance in the event of an urgent situation like a child or vulnerable driver locked in the vehicle A service like HONK will provide you with an auto locksmith on-demand who can unlock your car safely and quickly The app will show upfront prices and allows you not to worry about hidden charges or haggling with a tow truck driver Call for Help It's not only frustrating but also risky to be locked out of your car If you attempt to unlock your vehicle without the proper tools, you could damage your vehicle, which could make it difficult to access in the future Professional locksmiths are equipped with the equipment and knowledge required to unlock your vehicle quickly and without creating damage This will save you time and ease the stress If you're stuck and your keys locked inside the car, remain calm and seek help Don't try to unlock your vehicle using the DIY methods you have seen on the Internet These methods may work for certain vehicles however they could cause serious damage to modern vehicles that have modern locking mechanisms Towing companies in your area offer lockout services at an affordable cost Some automakers also offer smartphones that allow you to unlock your car remotely If you own a car from one of these automakers and you have a roadside assistance or warranty plan that's active then you should check out the apps to find out more about how to use them Another option is to contact your local auto dealer to see if they can help you unlock your car Based on the manufacturer and your relationship with the dealership, this could be cost-free or at a lower cost Finally, some non-profit organizations and community support groups can also provide assistance for people who find themselves in a car lockout situation To find out more about the options in your area, contact your local community centers or social service organizations Getting locked out of your vehicle is not a pleasant experience however it doesn't need to ruin your day You can avoid this situation in the future by remaining calm, calling help, and taking preventive steps Remember to check your spare key, if you have one, prior to leaving the vehicle, and make a habit of checking every door for your keys before closing them If you're unable to find your keys, consider leaving an extra with a trusted friend or neighbor and practice safe driving every time you take the vehicle