Car lockout situations are one of the most frustrating scenarios that any vehicle owner can find themselves in. There is a good reason why these locks out happen. However, it does not make them easier on you or your bank account. Most car owners have had at least one experience locking themselves out of their vehicles, and they will be able to relate to this article. Listed below are some common car lockout situations and how to resolve the situation.
1. Losing The Keys
One of the most common reasons cars are locked out is that the owner has lost his or her keys. These can include those stored inside the vehicle or those kept in a different location. It would behoove any auto owner to make sure they have two sets of keys available for important things like the house and car. If either set gets lost, the other set can still open up the car’s door and let you in. Another option is to store spare keys in an area that is easily accessible. You could even take the extra step and carry a small envelope with all of your keys. Just remember to keep them somewhere safe.
2. Locking The Keys Inside the Vehicle
This car lockout happens when you forget the car key inside your car. When entering your vehicle, you might decide to run in to get something else but then forget about leaving your keys behind. There isn’t much you can do about this except to call roadside assistance and wait for a professional to arrive and unlock the door. However, you can take precautions to lessen the chances of this happening in the first place. Never lock or close your car door unless you have your car keys in your hand, and make sure your insurance covers pop-a-lock services to lessen the frustration when it does happen.
3. Breaking The Key
A broken key is another possible cause of having a car lockout. Some circumstances lead a person to break a key by accident or from faulty manufacturing. Whatever the cause of breaking the key, it’s important to know that you cannot use it as a normal key to gain access to your vehicle once it is broken. This means that you will have to spend money on a new one or possibly hire someone to fix it. You can avoid spending unnecessary cash by carrying a backup key whenever you leave the house or drive around town.
4. Broken Door
Here, the key is not the problem but the locks on the doors. When a door sticks or breaks, you lose your chance of unlocking it quickly. Sometimes due to age, wear, or damage to components, the handle on the door doesn’t release on command. Even if your vehicle comes with a remote-control system, it won’t work if your door handle is malfunctioning. If the interior handle stops working, you would expect that the exterior handle would have been fixed. Unfortunately, many motorists with older vehicles find out this is not the case. If you’re in a situation like this, your best bet is to call a professional tow service to take the vehicle in for service at the dealership or a trusted auto body repair shop.
Bottom Line
As you can see, a vehicle lockout is never fun, but hopefully, you can prepare for the unexpected and avoid becoming stuck in your driveway. Having backup keys and knowing how to use a spare key are your best solutions. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry and avoid these unfortunate events altogether.
