It’s a scenario that happens to many drivers: you’ve just locked your car, and the sinking feeling hits when you realise your keys are still inside. Whether you left them on the passenger seat, the console, or in the boot, being locked out of your car without a spare key can be stressful and inconvenient. However, there are practical steps you can take to regain access to your vehicle, and with the help of a professional car unlocking service, you can resolve the issue quickly and safely.
Remain Calm and Assess the Situation
The first thing you need to do when you realise you’ve locked your keys inside the car is to take a moment to breathe and stay calm. Panicking will only make it harder to think clearly and find a solution. Check if there is any chance of getting into the car through an unlocked door or an open window. Sometimes, the car may be left slightly ajar, and even the smallest gap can be enough to manoeuvre a tool through and unlock the door.
If all doors and windows are securely shut, and you can’t access the vehicle, your next step is to call a professional locksmith. Trying to unlock the car yourself can be risky, especially with modern vehicles, and could lead to unnecessary damage.
Call an Emergency Car Unlocking Service
The most reliable solution when you’re locked out of your car is to call an emergency car unlocking service. These professionals are equipped with the right tools and knowledge to unlock your car quickly and safely. They understand the intricacies of different car makes and models and can handle both traditional locks and modern electronic locking systems.
Once you’ve contacted the locksmith, you’ll need to provide details about your vehicle, such as the make, model, and year, so they can come prepared with the right equipment. A professional locksmith will be able to access your car within a relatively short time, often in less than an hour, depending on your location.
Avoid DIY Attempts to Unlock Your Car
While it might seem like a good idea to try and unlock your car yourself using a coat hanger, slim rod, or other makeshift tools, this can cause serious damage to your car. Many modern vehicles are equipped with delicate internal mechanisms or electronic systems that could be harmed by improper tools or forceful methods.
For example, trying to unlock the car with a coat hanger can lead to scratches on the car’s paint or damage to the weather stripping around the door. If your car has an electronic locking system, attempting to manipulate the locks without the right knowledge could result in setting off the alarm or triggering a malfunction. To avoid costly repairs or complications, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
What Happens When You Call a Car Unlocking Service
When you opt for a car unlocking service, you can expect fast and efficient service. The locksmith will likely use one of the following methods depending on your car’s locking system:
- The Air Wedge Method: An inflatable air wedge is inserted between the car door and the frame to create a gap. This allows the locksmith to insert a rod or unlocking tool to manually trigger the car’s locking mechanism.
- Big Easy Tool: For traditional, manual locks, a locksmith might use a thin, long tool to manipulate the internal locking system and unlock the door.
- Slim Jim: This tool is often used for older cars with mechanical locks. It slides into the space between the door and the frame and manipulates the locking mechanism directly.
In cases where your car uses keyless entry or an advanced electronic locking system, the locksmith may need to bypass the electronic features or use a specialised diagnostic tool to gain access without triggering the vehicle’s alarm or causing damage to the system.
Prevent Future Lockouts
Once your car has been unlocked, it’s a good idea to take measures to prevent future lockouts. A great first step is to always have a spare key on hand. You can keep it with a friend, a family member, or even in a safe location near your car, such as in a secure magnetic key box that attaches to the vehicle.
Another way to prevent lockouts is by investing in a keyless entry system or using a smart key system that allows you to unlock your car using your phone. Many modern systems allow you to unlock the car remotely, giving you peace of mind in case you ever find yourself locked out again.
Being locked out of your car without a spare key is an unfortunate situation, but it’s one that can be resolved quickly with the help of a professional car unlocking service Ipswich. Although it might be tempting to try and unlock the car yourself, this can lead to more problems, especially with modern vehicles that have complex locking mechanisms. By calling an emergency car unlocking service, you ensure that your car will be unlocked safely, without causing damage. Stay calm, seek professional assistance, and consider taking steps to prevent future lockouts, such as having a spare key available or upgrading to a keyless entry system.
