8 Tips To Enhance Your Auto Lock Out Game
Why You May Get Locked Out of Your Auto It can be more than just an inconvenience. It can be a risk. There are several techniques to allow you access to your vehicle without causing damage. The most fundamental way to prevent a lockout is to have an extra key. 1. Locked Out of Your Car Being locked out of your vehicle is not just a hassle however, it can also be dangerous. There are a myriad of reasons you may get locked out, and it is crucial to know the reasons. If you are aware of what to look for this will help avoid future problems. Modern vehicles are equipped with highly sophisticated security systems that are able to detect attempts to breach their security. This can be both an advantage and a curse, because you may not be able to enter your car if your keys are in the car. This can happen when you juggle your phone, coffee and briefcase as walk towards the driver's door. This could trigger the key fob to lock your doors as you go to open them. If you're in this situation it is recommended to call for roadside assistance instead of trying to use makeshift tools like string or hangers to open your lock. A professional locksmith can assist you in avoiding damage to your vehicle and offer an immediate solution. Over time, dirt, rust and other impurities could accumulate inside your lock, which can cause it to become jammed. It can also happen when the door is damaged by an accident or other event. This could render your key fob or other security mechanisms ineffective and you will not be able to reenter the vehicle. Some automakers offer a special downloadable app you can use to unlock your car in an emergency. GM provides this service as part of its OnStar subscription. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai provide similar apps. These tools can be helpful however they should only be used when all other options are exhausted. 2. Lost Keys Losing your keys is among the most common reasons for getting locked out. It's easy for a driver to lose their keys or leave it in a place while in a rush or distracted. The good thing is that you can avoid this kind of lockout by having a spare key in your possession or a backup plan for accessing your vehicle. If you have an extra key, keep it in a safe place where only you or someone you trust will be able to access it. You can keep a key finder on your keychain or in your vehicle to locate your keys quickly and easily. These devices emit a loud alert to aid you in finding your keys, or you can use a smartphone app that tracks the location of the key fob in your car. You might have lost your car keys due to the fact that they were stolen. It is recommended to make a report to the police if this is the situation. This will result in a paper record and may aid you in obtaining compensation from your insurance company in the event of theft. Sometimes, your car's locks can develop problems due to natural wear and tear or rusting over time, making them difficult to open. This is particularly true for older models that require the user to insert a key manually into the lock. There are DIY methods to unlock your car such as using Slim Jims or coat hangers, but these can damage the door locks, which can lead to costly repairs. 3. Broken Keys Although keys are designed to withstand a lot of force, excessive use can result in wear and tear that eventually weakens the metal. This could result in broken pieces of keys getting stuck inside your lock. Fortunately, you can usually remove them using a few basic tools or at least free the rest of your key with little damage to the lock mechanism. If only a small part of the broken key protrudes from the lock it can be removed using a pair of needle nose pliers. If the broken piece is stuck deep inside the lock the flathead or another small tool will be needed. It's important to remember that the extraction process could take several attempts and patience. If you're impatient you could accidentally push the broken key even further into the lock and cause further damage. A more radical home-grown method of removing broken keys is to use the small saw blade that can be bought at most hardware stores. However, it must be used with extreme care and precision in order to keep the cylinder of the lock from being damaged. If the other methods don't work you may have to drill the lock cylinder to open it. This is not recommended unless it's feasible to do it in a safe place, such as at the gas station or convenience store restaurant. If you have to resort to this method, find a place where you can stay until the locksmith arrives. Don't stay on a deserted street or parking deck where you could be targeted by thieves. If you are able, call the locksmith on your phone while you're in a secure area and ask them whether they'll meet you there to assist with the removal. 4. Key fob or transponder damaged As with all electronic devices, car key fobs and transponders are also susceptible to fail over time. This could be a huge issue for car owners since they will no longer be in a position to start their vehicle or unlock their door. If lockout car happens, it's important to speak with a professional locksmith to resolve the issue. If your key fob, or transponder does not turn your engine on, this is a typical indication that it's malfunctioning. This can be caused by various reasons, including the battery being dead or an issue with the key fob chip. You can solve the issue by replacing the batteries on your fob. If this doesn't work then you may have to visit a local auto repair shop or a dealership to have the chip or fob replaced. Physical damage can also be the cause of malfunctioning fob. This could be caused by a damaged or cracked key shell, worn-out contacts, or any other issue that can affect the internal functioning of your key fob. It is crucial to have it repaired or replaced in the earliest time possible in order to avoid having it result in other issues with your vehicle. It's an absolute nightmare to be locked out of your vehicle So it's essential to ensure that this doesn't happen again. To avoid this issue, it can be done by developing an established routine that requires you to double-check that you have your keys when you leave your vehicle. It can also make it easier for you to get into your car by keeping a spare set in a safe, accessible place. Contact us to make an appointment with a locksmith if you've experienced any of these problems with your key fobs or locks. 5. You may accidentally leave your keys inside If you're in a hurry it's easy to forget keys in your car. Keep calm and identify the reason you locked yourself out of your vehicle. You can avoid a repeat of the same scenario by recollecting what you did. The best way to avoid the risk of accidentally locking your keys inside is to ensure that you have an extra key in your possession. You can keep it in a place that you or someone else who you trust is able to access easily, have a friend keep one at workplace or at home or employ the lockout tool. Certain automakers also offer services that allow you to unlock your vehicle remotely, but these typically require a subscription. You can also contact a roadside service, such as AAA or the roadside assistance program of your automaker. Moody says that these services will often come to your aid at a cost of a flat fee. Some automakers provide these programs to owners for free, such as GM's OnStar and Mercedes-Benz Mbrace. Calling the local authorities is an option if have a spare key or have a roadside service plan. However, be sure to only contact emergency services when you or your family members are in danger. If you don't, you could be subject to penalties or legal action for misusing emergency services. It's also important to accurately evaluate the urgency of the situation prior to when you begin calling for help, as this will determine which option is the most appropriate. To avoid being locked out of your vehicle in the future. Make sure to check everything prior to getting back in and try to avoid rushing when exiting your vehicle. This will help ensure you don't leave any doors or windows unlocked, and will help keep your car safe from damage during transport if it does need to be transported to a different location.