Car lockouts happen when you least expect them and usually at the most inconvenient times. Whether your key fob batteries are dead or your lock mechanism is broken, the first thing you need to do is remain calm and stay safe.
Avoid the temptation to try and unlock your car using improvised tools like coat hangers or slim jims. Such amateur attempts can damage your car, endanger occupants and lead to further costly repair bills.
Coat Hanger Unlocking
Using a wire coat hanger to unlock your car can be one of the cheapest ways to get back into your vehicle. Just be careful not to damage your car door, window, or lock.
Slide the hook end of your coat hanger into the gap between your window and the door frame, then move it around until you find the unlock handle. You will probably have to push it quite a bit and move the hanger backward toward the rear of your car to catch it.
This method may take some time, but it should work if you are lucky enough to find the right spot and catch the pin or bar on the lock mechanism. If you don’t, then the lock will remain locked and you should call a locksmith. Trying to open your car door with tools like a coat hanger or Slim Jim will likely damage your door, windows, and car paint.
Rocks & Pointy Objects
Many people will try to use improvised tools (such as rocks and pointy objects) in an attempt to unlock their car when they lock themselves out, but this is a very dangerous way to go about things. These kinds of objects can cause real bodily injury, and they are not likely to get the job done anyway. Professionals have a wide range of tools they can use to open cars, including manual and pneumatic wedges, shaped rods, and specialized locks. These tools can be purchased at auto part stores or at big-box home improvement stores. A locksmith can arrive quickly to unlock the door.
Unlocking the Door with a Key
Getting locked out of your car is one of the most frustrating things that can happen to anyone. There are a few ways you can try to get back in without breaking the door or paying a hefty locksmith fee.
If you shut your door securely, there won’t be a gap large enough to insert a tool and reach the unlock button. Also, forcing a tool through the lock can cause damage to your car.
Using improper tools like coat hangers, bobby pins, or slim jims can lead to even more problems. At the very least, these methods could break your window or scratch up the paint on the door. Additionally, many modern cars have advanced security systems that set off the alarm when unauthorized attempts are made to open the vehicle. This could mean you’ll be paying even more for a locksmith service. The best option is to contact us for a professional emergency locksmith service.
Call Us!
A car lockout emergency is a stressful and frightening experience. Do your best to stay calm and remember that there are quick, safe, and inexpensive solutions to the problem. During a lockout, always check to see that there are no elder passengers, small children, or pets trapped in the vehicle. If there are, call 911.
Whether you are locked out of your apartment, office, or car in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island, keep our number at hand and give us a call for reliable locksmith services. You never know when you might need our help, so it is best to be prepared.
You can also save yourself money by avoiding the 24-Hour Car Lockout Service that advertises 24/7, but when you call at 2:00 AM you get an answering machine! Our customers can rest assured that they’ll be able to speak with someone in real-time when calling Pop-A-Lock. We also provide notifications and updates in real time, directly to the customer’s cell phone.