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 assist yourself in this situation.
Check obvious places like your purse or pockets. Consider purchasing a spare and storing it in a safe place. This will help prevent thefts in the future.
1. Call the Police
If you've lost your keys and aren't able to find them, the most effective solution is to contact the police. They can assist you in a variety of ways, not just an emergency roadside assistance or locksmith. They can also inform the public that your car keys may be missing, which will help prevent people from using keys without permission.
However, they aren't able to unlock your car's door in the event of an emergency situation. They don't have tools and do not want to damage the vehicle. If the circumstances are suitable the police might be able to use a slim Jim to open the car door. But they must have a good reason for doing this. For instance when they spot an animal or small child locked in the car during hot weather, they might break the window to save a life.
It's also a good idea to have a spare key hidden somewhere in case you're locked out of your car. Some people keep them in accessible places, like their home or office. Others offer them to family or friends members to hold onto in case of an emergency. If you have an extra contact it prior to calling the authorities or taking more drastic actions.
Many cars come with proximity remotes with an emergency code hidden behind them. If yours is one of them, you could be able to open the doors from a distance using the help of a specific tool that a locksmith will possess. The tool is a small jim with a flat-ended end that can be used to pick a lock.
2. Contact a Tow Truck
Find a business that offers emergency replacement car keys in the event that you lose your keys. It is best to save their contact numbers on your phone under "Emergency," and spend some time studying their offerings costs, coverage areas, charges technology, and professional.
This will help you make a well-informed decision if the situation arises. Whether you need an emergency locksmith or a replacement key, these companies can assist you in getting back on the road with minimal hassle.
It is best to have two or three spare sets of keys. Keep one at home, and give one to your partner or your significant other, and then keep the other one in your wallet or pocket. This will help you avoid being stuck in a secluded spot.
A spare key could help you avoid needing to call roadside assistance. 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 have to be paired by a dealer or manufacturer. This could take a few days.
It's a good idea, to make the process as easy and quick as is possible, to keep the VIN number of the car in your pocket. This can be found on your car's registration or is often stamped on a metal plate in the driver's side doorpost. This information will aid the emergency key replacement specialist determine the best method for changing your old key's programming to work with the new one.
3. Try an Pump Wedge
It is best to start with a non-destructive treatment, especially if you have young children or pets, or elderly people in your vehicle. That way you won't risk having to call 999 or incur a high bill from an expert.
Air pump wedges can be found in auto lockout kits and by locksmith and repo professionals. The wedges are made of high-quality vinyl that can be deflated and inflated quickly. They can be slipped between the weather stripping and the door without having to worry about scratching paint.
You can use wedges of any size, but an angled one is more suitable for the majority of cars. The idea is to create space in which you can place the rod to reach the door pin locked. If the coat hanger is sturdy enough, it might be able to work. You could also try an aluminum rod or 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.
The majority of these methods will cause the car alarm to go off, which is why it's recommended to avoid them unless there is an emergency. If you don't, police may have to employ more destructive tools to enter your car and rescue your passengers.
Keep an extra car key at home or with someone close to you in case you need to get back into your vehicle if you lock yourself out. And, of course, you should be sure to confirm that key replacement is part of your roadside assistance plan or insurance for your vehicle.
4. Try a Coat Hanger
The coat hanger trick is a well-known one, and you've probably seen it in a movie. This is a great option for older cars that have manual locks. It functions like a slim jim. You will require a simple coat hanger with pliers and a wire.
Untwist the coathanger by pliers until one side is snared and the other side is straight. Slide the hook between the window frame and the door frame. This will give you a better chance of locating the control arm that's connected to the rod for locking. Once you find it, pull it up and the door should be opened.
Another option is to tie a string with an elongated slip-knot on the upper right corner on the driver's side door. Wiggle replacement key for car near me in a back-andforth 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 will release and you can unlock the door.
You can also use a plastic strip bent into a form to fit the gap between the door and frame. This is a more difficult option but it could be the only way to get into the vehicle if you are unable to find your keys.
If you have a spare key, it is best to keep it in a place where you can easily access it in case in an emergency. In the event of an emergency, you'll need to call road assistance or a locksmith. Make sure you have the key code number and your personal identification card on your person so that road assistance or locksmith can help you out quickly.