3 DIY Tips For Emergency Car Key Replacement
The loss of your car keys can be an extremely frustrating experience. Luckily, there are some ways to help yourself in this situation.
Check obvious places like your purse or pockets. Consider buying an extra and keeping it in a secure location. This will help you avoid theft in the future.
1. Call the Police
If you've lost your keys and are unable to locate them, the best thing to do is call the police. They can help you in many ways other than a roadside assistance or locksmith. They could also inform the public that your car keys may have been stolen to prevent others from using keys without authorization.
They are not able unlock the doors of your car unless there is an emergency. They don't have any tools and don't want to risk damaging the vehicle. In certain circumstances the police might be able to use the slim jim to unlock the door, but they'll need to have a good reason for doing so. If they discover that an animal or a child is locked in a vehicle in hot weather, they may break the window.
It's also a good idea to keep an extra key somewhere in case you get locked out of your car. Some people keep them in easily accessible locations, such as their home or office. Some people give them to friends or family 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 come with proximity remotes that conceal an emergency key in them. You may be able, if your car is one of them to open the door from a distance using a special tool a locksmith would use. This tool is a slim tool with a flat edge that can be used to pick locks.
2. Call a Tow truck
If you lose your car keys The first thing to do is locate a business that provides emergency car key replacement. It is recommended to keep the contact information of these companies in your phone under "Emergency," and spend some time researching the services they offer costs, coverage areas, charges technology, and experts.
This will allow you to make a well-informed decision if the need arises. Whether you need an emergency locksmith or an extra key, these companies will help you get back to your vehicle with minimum hassle.
The best way to avoid losing your keys is to have a spare set, and should you be able to, if you can, have three or more sets. Keep see this page at home, give one to your partner or your significant other, and keep the other one in your purse or wallet. This will help you avoid being stranded in a strange place.
A spare key can help you avoid calling for assistance on the road. The cost of a new key for a traditional key is usually very affordable, but the cost of a smart key can be quite expensive. These keys use an electronic chip that allows them to control the vehicle. They must be connected by a dealer or manufacturer. This could take a few days.
To make the process as quick and painless as possible, it's always a good idea to keep the VIN number of your vehicle handy. It's possible to find this number on the paperwork for your vehicle or stamped on a metal plaque in the doorway of the driver. This information will allow the technician to modify your old key to ensure that it works with the new key.
3. Try an Pump Wedge
It's always best to try to use a non-destructive approach first particularly if you have children, pets, or elderly people in the car. There's no need to worry about calling 911 or paying a huge bill for an expert.
Air pump wedges are sold in auto lockout kit and by locksmith and repo professionals. The wedges are made of high-quality vinyl that can be deflated and inflated quickly. You can slip them between the weather stripping and the door without having to worry about scratching paint.
You can make use of a standard wedge, or a curved one is even better for most cars. The idea is to create a space for you to insert an extremely thin rod to reach the locked door pin. If the coat hanger is sturdy enough, it may be able to work. You can also use a rod made of plastic or a blood pressure cuff. The rod should be placed between the frame and the door to allow you to pull it to open the vehicle.
The majority of these methods cause the car alarm to go off and that's why it's best to avoid them unless there's an emergency. Otherwise, the police may have to use an even more destructive method to get into your vehicle to rescue passengers or pets.
Have a spare key at home or with a close friend, so that you have a chance of getting back into your car in the event you are locked out. Also, make sure that your auto insurance or roadside assistance policy covers the replacement of keys to your car.
4. Try a Coat Hanger
The coat hanger trick is a classic and you've probably seen it in a movie. This is a great solution for older vehicles with manual locks, and it works like a DIY slim jim. You will require a simple coat hanger, pliers, and a thin wire.
Untwist the coathanger with pliers until 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 finding the control arm which is attached to the lock rod. When you locate it, pull it back and the door should open.
Another option is to tie a string with a slip-knot located in the upper right corner of the driver's side door. Then, wiggle the string back and forth (like flossing huge teeth) to move it towards the inside lock rod. It could take a few attempts and both hands to get the lock to release.
You can also try using a strip of plastic that you bend into a shape that will fit in the small gap between the door and the frame. This is a more difficult option however it could be your only option if you can't find your keys.
It is a good idea to keep a spare key in a place where you can find it in an emergency. You'll need to call road assistance or a lock-smith if you don't. You must have your key code number and personal identification with you so that road assistance or a locksmith could assist you quickly.