If you drive a car, you have probably been locked out of your vehicle at some point or another. Few things are as frustrating as being locked out of your car, and the best way to protect yourself is to recognize those lockout scenarios. Here are some common car lockout scenarios – and what you can do to avoid them.
Locking Your Keys in the Car
Just about everyone who drives has experienced this at some point in their lives. You drive to your destination, close the car door and diligently apply the lock. A few minutes later, you experience a sickening feeling when you realize your car keys are still in the ignition – and locked behind that impenetrable door.
Before the advent of electronic door locks, retrieving your lost car keys was a relatively simple, if time-consuming process. If you had access to a coat hanger, you can unbend it and fish it into the car. Getting the car unlocked was as simple as hooking onto the lock and pulling it up.
That coat hanger trick no longer works. Modern cars are far more secure, and much harder to steal, but they are also harder to access when you lock your keys inside. You can protect yourself by carrying an extra set of keys – or you can call a locksmith for assistance.
Forgetting Your Car Keys
If you are running multiple errands, it is easy to forget your keys and not remember where you lost them. You may not realize that your car keys are missing until you reach your vehicle, and by then it may be hard to mentally retrace your steps.
Once again, a spare set of keys could save you and let you start your car, although you will still want to retrace your steps and find your missing keys. If you do not have a spare set on you, it is time to go from store to store, checking the lost and found and hoping some good Samaritan turned in your keys. Failing that, it is time to call the locksmith.
A Faulty Ignition Switch
Sometimes you have your keys but are still unable to start your car. Over time, the ignition switch in your vehicle can wear out, so when you turn the lock, nothing much happens.
A number of things can contribute to ignition switch failure, including a heavy keychain. If you have lots of stuff hanging from your keychain, you might want to lighten the load to save your ignition switch. If your ignition switch is already faulty, it is time to call the mechanic.
The keys to your car provide an important level of protection. When you pull the keys from the ignition and lock the doors, you can be relatively sure your vehicle will be there when you return. Sometimes, however, that security works against you, locking you out of your car and leaving you standing by the side of the road or in a deserted parking lot. When you find yourself locked out of your car, the best thing you can do is call a locksmith for assistance. And when you get home, be sure to make an extra set of keys.
