10 Untrue Answers To Common Emergency Car Key Replacement Questions: Do You Know The Correct Ones?
3 DIY Tips For Emergency Car Key Replacement
The loss of your car keys can be a traumatic experience. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to help yourself in this circumstance.
The first step is to check the obvious locations, like your purse or pockets. Consider buying a spare key and keeping it in a secure place. This will help you avoid theft in the future.
1. Call the police
Contact the police if are unable to find your keys. They can help you in many ways other than locksmith or roadside assistance. They can also inform the public that your car keys may be missing to prevent others from using keys without authorization.
However, they aren't capable of unlocking the door of your car in the event of an emergency situation. This is due to the fact that they don't have the right tools to do it and don't want to cause damage to your vehicle. If the circumstances are appropriate the police may be able to use a slim Jim to open the car door. But car key replacement near me must have a valid reason to do this. If they see that a child or an animal is locked in a car in hot weather, they could break the window.
It's also a good idea to have an extra key in a safe place in case you're locked out of your car. Some people keep their spare keys in areas accessible to them such as their office or home. Others lend them to family members or friends members to keep in case of an emergency. If you have an extra, reach out to it prior to calling authorities or taking more drastic actions.
Many cars have proximity remotes that come with an emergency code that is hidden. You might be able, if your car is one of these to open the door from a distance with a special tool a locksmith might have. This tool is a slim tool with a flat edge that can be used to pick a lock.
2. Contact for a Tow Truck
If you lose your car keys, the first thing to do is locate a company that can provide an emergency replacement of car keys. You should save their contact details on your phone under the heading "Emergency" and spend time looking into the services they offer as well as their prices as well as their coverage areas, technology and experts.
This will help you make a well-informed decision if the need arises. These companies can help you with a replacement or emergency key.
It is best to have at least two or three spare keys. Keep one set at home, another with your spouse or significant person and the third in your wallet. This will help you avoid being stuck in a secluded spot.
The possession of a spare key can make it easier to call for assistance on the road. A new key for a traditional key is usually quite affordable. However, the cost of a smart key can be quite costly. They are equipped with an electronic chip that allows them to operate the vehicle. They will need to be connected with a manufacturer or dealer. This could take a few days.
To make the process as fast and painless as possible it's a good idea to keep the VIN number of your vehicle handy. This can be found on your car's registration or is often stamped on a metal plate in the doorpost for the driver's side. This information will aid the emergency key replacement professional determine the best method for changing your old key's programming to work with the new one.
3. Try a Pump Wedge
It's best to start with a non-destructive solution particularly when you have children or pets, as well as elderly people in your car. You don't have to worry about calling 999 or paying a large bill for a professional.
Air pump wedges are sold in auto lockout kits and by locksmith professionals and repo experts. They are made of high-quality vinyl that can be inflated and deflated quickly. This lets you slide them between the door and the weather stripping without scratching or dinging the paint on the car.
For most cars, a curved wedge is better. The idea is to create space where you can insert a long, thin rod to reach the locked door pin. If the coat hanger is thick enough, it might be able to work. You could also try a rod made of plastic, or even a blood-pressure cuff. The rod should be placed between the frame and the door to allow you to pull it to unlock the vehicle.
It's best to avoid these methods unless you are in an emergency. If not, the police might have to use an additional tool to gain access to your vehicle to rescue passengers or pets.
Keep a spare key at your home or with a friend in order to have a chance of getting back into your vehicle in the event that you get locked out. It is also important to determine if your insurance for your vehicle or roadside assistance plan covers the replacement of keys to your car.
4. Try a Coathanger
You've likely seen the coat hanger trick in a film. This is a great solution for older vehicles that come with locks that are manual, and it works like a DIY slim jim. All you need is a thin coat hanger with a wire and pliers.
Untwist the coathanger using pliers so that one side is hooked and the other is straight. Slide the hook between the window frame and the door frame. This will give you a greater chance of locating the control arm which is attached to the lock rod. Once you've found it lift the lever and your door should open.
Another option is to tie a string with a slip knot at the upper right-hand corner of the driver's door. Then, move the string back and forth (like flossing huge teeth) to move it towards the rod of the inside lock. It could take a few attempts and both hands to unlock the lock.
You can also try using a strip of plastic that you bend into a shape that will fit into the gap between the frame and door. This is a more challenging option however it could be the only option to get into the vehicle if you are unable to locate your keys.
It is a good idea to keep a spare key somewhere that you can easily locate in an emergency. You'll need to contact road assistance or a locksmith if you don't. Make sure that you have the key code number as well as your personal identification card on hand so that the road assistance or locksmith can assist you in a timely manner.