Perhaps the worst feeling in the world is that moment of dread when you walk back to your car and realize you’ve locked your keys inside. It’s embarrassing at best and horrifying at worst. What do you do? How will you get home?
While coat hangers can serve in a pinch, your best bet is to call a locksmith to avoid damage to your vehicle or having the cops called on you for trying to enter your own vehicle.
Even better than calling a locksmith is to avoid the situation altogether.
Save your time, money, and sanity with these tips on avoiding a car lockout situation
Keep your Keys on You
The simplest thing to do is to keep your keys on you. Simply shut the engine off and loop the keyring around your finger. Feel the weight of the key in your hand as you leave the car and you will have them when you return.
Even if you use a push-to-start vehicle, this method will help you avoid a car lockout. Alternatively, once inside the car you can slip the key into your pocket or wear it on a lanyard around your neck.
Have Spare Keys to Avoid a Car Lockout
Spare keys are real lifesavers. Having a spare key allows you to keep a pair in your pocket or purse while you go about your day. If you set the keys down in the car and return to find them locked inside, it won’t matter because your spare will be on you.
Use your Keys to Lock your Vehicle
You can avoid a lockout entirely by using your keys to lock it from the outside instead of the interior button. Doing this means that your key is in your hand when you lock the car. No need for spares or checking for the weight of your keys in your hand. If the door is locked, your keys are on you.
Circumvent a Car Lockout by Using a Fob
This is the same idea as before. By using the buttons on the fob to lock the door rather than the interior button on the door, you know your key is on you as you lock the door.
Fobs have the additional benefit of unlocking with the press of a button. This means you don’t have to worry about the lock mechanism freezing or the key snapping as you would with a traditional key and lock.
Be Sure Your Fob Works
On the note of fobs, they’ll do you little good if they aren’t in working order. If you find its range decreasing or it works less consistently it may be time to replace the batteries. Batteries can be found in most auto shops.
If the batteries aren’t the problem, your friendly neighborhood locksmith should be able to sort you out.
Follow These Tips and Never Stress about a Car Lockout Again!
Forgetting things is only human, but that doesn’t mean that a car lockout isn’t better avoided. Take this sage advice and your life will be much easier. Though if you do find yourself in this position our locksmiths at King Locksmith are happy to provide judgment-free help.
