There's a particular kind of dread that hits when you peer through your driver's window and see your keys sitting on the seat. The good news: getting locked out of your car is a fixable problem, and it doesn't have to involve a broken window or a coat hanger.
First, Check the Other Doors
Sounds obvious, but check it anyway. Many people lock the driver's door automatically and forget the passenger side or trunk might still be open. Walk around and try every door.
Check for a Spare
Do you have a spare key at home? With a family member nearby? In your wallet? A spare key is almost always faster and cheaper than calling for service. If you're locked out at the grocery store and your spouse is at home with the spare, that's a five-minute problem.
If You Have a Newer Vehicle, Check Your Phone
Many newer vehicles have remote unlock through a manufacturer app — Ford Pass, Toyota Connect, OnStar, MyChevrolet, and others. If you have the app set up, you can unlock the car from your phone. This is the fastest fix when it's available.
Don't Try to Break In Yourself
DIY lockout attempts go wrong more often than they go right. Coat hangers, slim jims, and shoelace tricks can damage door seals, scratch paint, set off airbags in some vehicles, or trigger anti-theft systems that lock out the ignition entirely. The cost to fix that damage usually exceeds the cost of just calling for help.
Don't Break the Window Either
Tempting in an emergency, especially with a kid or a pet locked in the car. But a window costs $200-500 to replace, plus the inconvenience of glass everywhere. Almost any other option is cheaper. The only time breaking a window makes sense is a true emergency where someone's safety is at immediate risk.
Call a Lockout Service
Professional lockout service uses specialized tools to open the door without damage. Most cars can be opened in five to ten minutes. Costs vary depending on time of day and how far the service has to travel, but it's almost always far less than a window replacement.
What If You Lost the Key Entirely?
Lost key is a different problem from locked-out. If you have a spare, use it. If not, you may need a locksmith or a dealer to make a new key. Newer vehicles often have transponder chips that need to be programmed to your specific car, which is more involved than just cutting metal. If you have a remote fob, the dealer can usually program a replacement, but it isn't cheap.
Bundy's Lockout Service
Bundy's Tire & Auto Repair offers lockout service throughout Fayetteville and Cumberland County. We come to you, open the vehicle without damage, and get you back inside fast. Call (910) 491-1130 during business hours or (910) 651-2388 for after-hours emergencies. Save those numbers in your phone now — it's a lot easier to find the number when you're not stressed and locked out.
Need Service?
Bundy's Tire & Auto Repair is at 326 W Mountain Drive in Fayetteville, NC. Call us during business hours or use the after-hours line for roadside emergencies.
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