3 DIY Tips For Emergency Car Key Replacement
Losing your keys to your car may be a stressful experience. Fortunately, there are a few ways to help yourself in this scenario.
The first step is to check the obvious locations, like your purse or pockets. Next, consider buying a spare key and keeping it in a secure location. This can help prevent theft in the future.
1. Call the Police
Contact the police if are unable to locate your keys. They can help you in more ways than a roadside assistance or locksmith. They will also be capable of informing the public that someone may have possibly stolen your car keys which can help prevent people from using keys without authorization.
However, they aren't able to unlock your car door in the event of an emergency situation. They do not have any tools and don't want the vehicle damaged. If the circumstances are suitable, the police may be able to use a small Jim to open the car's door. However, they must have a legitimate reason to do so. If they find that an animal or a child is locked inside a vehicle in hot weather, they may break the window.
It's an excellent idea to keep a spare key hidden somewhere in case you're locked out of your car. Some people keep their spare keys in places easily accessible such as their home or office. Some give them to friends or family members to keep in case of emergency. If you have a spare, try to locate it before calling the police or resorting to more extreme measures.
Many cars have proximity remotes that have an emergency key hidden within them. You may be able to use your car, if it is one of them to open the door from a distance with an instrument that locksmiths could possess. 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 can provide an emergency replacement of car keys. You should save their contact details in your phone under the heading "Emergency" and spend time looking into the services they offer, their charges as well as their coverage areas, technology and professionals.
This will allow you to make an informed decision when the need arises. These companies can assist you with a replacement or emergency key.
The best way to prevent losing your keys is to have an extra set and, if possible, two or three sets. Keep one at home, and give one to your spouse or your significant other, and keep the other in your wallet or pocket. This will ensure that you do not end up in a foreign location.
The possession of a spare key can save you from calling for roadside assistance. The cost of a brand new key for a traditional key is typically very affordable, but the price of a smart key could be quite high. They are equipped with an electronic chip that allows them to control the vehicle. They will need to be connected by a manufacturer or dealer. This can take a number of days.
It's a good idea, to make the process as simple and quick as possible, to keep the VIN number of the vehicle in your pocket. It can be found on your car's registration or is usually stamped on a metal plate that is located in the driver's side doorpost. This information will enable professionals to reprogram your old key so that it works with the new key.
3. Try a 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 auto car key replacement to worry about calling the number 999 or paying a big bill for an expert.
One of the easiest methods to unlock a car is with an air pump wedge that are available in auto lockout kits, and also by repo and locksmith professionals. They're made from tough, heavy-duty vinyl and are designed to be inflated for a brief period of time and then deflated. You can slide them between the weather stripping and the door without having to worry about scratching paint.
For the majority of cars, a curved wedge is preferred. The idea is to create a space in which you can place the rod's length and thickness in order to reach the pin that is locked. If the hanger for your coat is strong enough, it may be able to work. You could also try a rod made of plastic or a blood pressure cuff. The goal is to place the rod between the frame and door to allow you to pull it to unlock the car.
It is recommended to avoid these methods unless you are in an emergency. Otherwise, the police may require an additional tool to gain access to your vehicle and save your passengers or pets.
Have a spare key at home or with a trusted friend in order to have a chance to get back into your car in the event you get locked out. And, of course, you should be sure to confirm that key replacement is included in your roadside assistance plan or insurance for your car.
4. Try Coathanger
You've probably seen the coat hanger trick in a movie. This is a solution for older cars that come with manual locks. It works like an incredibly slim jim. You only need a thin coat hanger with pliers and a small wire.
With the pliers, pull off the coat hanger so that it has one end hooked and one straight. Slide the hook between the window frame and the door frame. This will increase your chance of finding the control arm that is connected to the lock rod. Once you've found it, pull up and the door will open.
Another option is to tie a string with a slip knot at the upper right corner of the door for the driver. Wiggle the string in a back-and-forth motion (like flossing a tooth) to move it towards the inside rod of the lock. It may be necessary to use both hands, and it could take a few attempts, but if it is successful, the lock should release and you can open the door.
You can also use a strip of plastic bent into a form to fit the small gap between the door and frame. This is a more challenging option but it could be the only option to get in the vehicle in case you can't locate your keys.
It is a good plan to keep a spare key somewhere you can easily find it in an emergency. Otherwise, you will have to call for road assistance or a locksmith. Make sure you have the key code number as well as your personal identification card on your person so that road assistance or locksmith can assist you quickly.