3 DIY Tips For Emergency Car Key Replacement
The loss of your car keys can be a traumatic experience. There are some steps you can do to help yourself in the event of a loss.
Make sure you check the obvious places, such as your pockets or purse. Consider buying an extra one and keeping it in a safe place. This will help to prevent theft in the future.
1. Contact the police
Call the police if you cannot locate your keys. They can help you in a variety of ways, not just locksmith or roadside assistance. They could also inform the public that your car keys could be missing to prevent other people from using keys without authorization.
However, they aren't in a position to unlock your car door unless there is an emergency situation. They don't have any tools and they don't want the vehicle damaged. In certain circumstances the police might be in a position to use the slim jim to unlock the door, but they'll require a compelling reason for doing so. If they discover that the child or animal is locked inside a vehicle in hot weather, they could break the window.
It's also a good idea to keep an extra key in a safe place in case you are locked out of your vehicle. Some people keep them in easily accessible locations, such as their home or their office. Some people offer them to friends or family members to keep in case of an emergency. If you have an extra contact it before calling authorities or taking more drastic measures.
Many cars have proximity remotes that have an emergency key in them. You may be able, if your car is one of these, to unlock the door from a distance with an instrument that locksmiths might possess. This tool is a flat-ended slim jim that can be used to pick locks.
2. Contact a Tow truck
Find a business that offers emergency replacement car keys in the event that you lose your keys. You should save their contact information in your phone under the heading "Emergency" and spend time looking into the services they offer, their charges, their coverage area, technology and experts.
You will be able to make an informed choice when the time comes. These companies can help you with the replacement of your key or an emergency one.
The best way to avoid losing your keys is to have an extra set and, if possible, three or four sets. Keep one at home, and give one to your partner or significant other, and keep the other one in your wallet or pocket. This will ensure that you don't find yourself stranded 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 usually very affordable, however the cost of a smart one can be quite high. They are equipped with an electronic chip that allows them to operate the car. They will need to be paired with a manufacturer or dealer. This could take a few days.
It's a good idea to make the process as easy and quick as possible and to keep the VIN number of the car in your pocket. It can be found on your car's registration or is often stamped on a metal plaque in the driver's side doorpost. vehicle key replacement will allow the professional to modify your old key so that it functions with the new key.
3. Try a Pump Wedge
It is always advisable to use a non-destructive method first particularly if you have children, pets or elderly people in the vehicle. So you don't run the risk of having to call 999 or be charged a high amount from an expert.
Air pump wedges are sold in auto lockout kit and by locksmith professionals and repo experts. The wedges are made of high-quality vinyl that can be inflated and deflated quickly. You can slide them between the weather stripping and the door without having to worry about scratching the paint.
For the majority of cars, a curved wedge is preferred. The idea is to create a space so that you can put in the rod's length and thickness in order to reach the locked pin. A coat hanger might work if it's thick enough, but you could also try a plastic rod or even a blood pressure cuff. The rod should be placed between the frame and the door so that you can pull it to open the vehicle.
It is best to avoid these methods unless you are in an emergency. If you don't, police could have to use more destructive tools to gain access to the car and save your passengers.
Keep a spare car key home or with someone close to you in case you need to gain access to your vehicle when you lock yourself out. Also, you should be sure to check whether car key replacement is part of your roadside assistance plan or insurance for your vehicle.
4. Try a Coat Hanger
You've likely seen the coat hanger trick in a film. This is a solution for older cars with manual locks. It works like the slim jim. All you require is a coat hanger made of wire and pliers.
With the pliers, loosen the coat hanger so that it has one side swung and one straight. Slide the hook between the window frame and the door frame. This will allow you to locate the control arm that is attached to the lock rod. Once you've located it, push the lever upwards and the door should be opened.
Another option is to tie a string using an elongated slip-knot on the upper right corner on the driver's side of the door. Then, you can wiggle the string back and forth (like flossing giant teeth) to move it towards the inside lock rod. It may be necessary to use both hands and it may take several attempts however, if it's successful, the lock will release and you can unlock the door.
You could also try a strip of plastic that you bend into a shape that will fit into the narrow gap between the frame and door. This is a more difficult choice, but it may be the only option to get in the vehicle if you cannot find your keys.
It is a good plan to keep a spare key somewhere that you can easily locate in the event of an emergency. If you don't, you'll have to call road assistance or a locksmith. Make sure that you have the key code number and your personal identification on to ensure that the road assistance or locksmith can assist you in a timely manner.