3 DIY Tips For Emergency Car Key Replacement
The loss of keys to your car can be a frustrating experience. Luckily, there are some actions you can take to help yourself in this circumstance.
The first step is to check the obvious places, like your purse or pockets. You might want to consider purchasing a spare and storing it in a safe place. This can prevent future thefts.
1. Contact the police
Contact the police if you can't locate your keys. They can assist you more than a locksmith or roadside assistance. They can also inform the general public that your car keys may have been stolen, which will help prevent people from using them without permission.
However, they aren't in a position to unlock your car's door unless there is an emergency situation. car key fob replacements don't have any tools and don't want the vehicle damaged. If the circumstances are right the police may be able to use a slim Jim to open the car door. But, they must have a legitimate reason for doing so. For example, if they see an animal or small child trapped inside the vehicle in hot weather, they could smash the window to save the life.
It's an excellent idea to keep an extra key in a safe place in case you get locked out of your car. Some people keep their spare keys in areas that are easy to access such as their office or home. Others offer them to family members or friends members to hold onto in case of an emergency. If you have a spare make contact with it prior to calling authorities or taking more drastic steps.
Many cars have proximity remotes with an emergency code hidden behind them. If yours is one of them, you might be able to unlock the doors from a distance with a special tool that a locksmith will possess. This tool is a slim jim that has a flat end that can be used to pick locks.
2. Contact towing truck
Find a business that offers emergency car key replacement if you lose your keys. It is recommended to keep their contact numbers on your phone under "Emergency," and spend some time researching the services they offer and the charges they charge, coverage area technology, and professional.
This will enable you to make an informed decision when the situation arises. These companies can assist you with an emergency key replacement or replacement.
car key and remote replacement to avoid losing your keys is to keep an extra set and, when possible, three or more sets. Keep one at home, then give one to your spouse or your significant other, and keep the other one in your purse or wallet. This will allow you to avoid being stuck in a remote location.
Having a spare can also help you avoid calling for roadside assistance. The cost of a new key for a traditional one is usually very affordable, but the price of a smart key can be quite expensive. These types of keys make use of an electronic chip to operate the vehicle, therefore they'll need to be paired with the car by a dealership or manufacturer and could take a few days.
To make the process as fast and easy as it can be it's a good idea to have the VIN number of your car in hand. This number is usually on your car's paperwork or is often stamped on a metal plaque in the driver's side doorpost. This information will assist the emergency car key replacement professional determine the best way to proceed with changing your old key's programming to work with the new one.
3. Try an Pump Wedge
It's best to start with a non-destructive treatment particularly if you have young children, pets, or elderly people in your car. There's no need to worry about calling the number 999 or paying a big bill for a professional.
Air pump wedges are sold in auto lockout kits and by locksmith professionals and repo experts. They're made from durable, heavy-duty vinyl and are designed to be inflated for a brief period of time and then deflated. This allows you to slide them between the door and the weather stripping without scratching or dinging the paint on the car.
You can use an ordinary wedge, or a curved one is better for most cars. The idea is to create a space so that you can place the long, thin rod to get to the pin locked. If the hanger for your coat is strong enough, it may work. You could also try a plastic rod or a blood pressure cuff. The rod should be placed between the door and the frame to allow you to pull it to open the vehicle.
It's best to avoid these methods unless you are in an emergency. Otherwise, the police may have to use an even more destructive method to enter your vehicle and save your passengers or pets.
Keep a spare 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. You should also check if your auto insurance or roadside assistance plan covers the replacement of keys to your car.
4. Try Coathanger
The coat hanger trick is a classic one, and you've probably seen it in a film. This is a great solution for older vehicles that have manual locks, and it works like a DIY slim jim. All you require is a thin wire coat hanger and pliers.
Untwist the coathanger with pliers to ensure that one side is hooked and the other is straight. Slide the hook between the window frame and the door frame. This will increase your chance of finding the control arm that is connected to the lock rod. Once you've found it pull the lever up and your door will open.
Another way is to tie a string using a slip-knot located in the upper right corner on the driver's side door. Wiggle the string in a back-andforth motion (like flossing a huge tooth) to shift it toward the inside lock rod. It could take a few attempts and both hands to get the lock to release.
You can also make use of a plastic strip bent into a form to fit the narrow gap between door and frame. This is a more difficult option however 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's best to keep it somewhere where you are able to access it in case in an emergency. You'll need to contact road assistance or a locksmith in the event that you don't. Make sure you have the key code number as well as your personal identification on to ensure that the locksmith or road assistance can assist you in a timely manner.