3 DIY Tips For Emergency Car Key Replacement
Losing your car keys can be an extremely frustrating experience. There are some steps you can do to help yourself in the event of this happening to you.
First, check the obvious places, like your pockets or purse. Consider buying an extra and keeping it in a safe place. This will help prevent thefts in the future.
1. Contact the police
Call the police if you can’t locate your keys. They can help you in more ways than locksmith or roadside assistance. They’ll also be capable of informing the public that someone has possibly taken your car keys, which could prevent others from using them without permission.
They’re not able to unlock the doors of your car unless there is an emergency. This is due to the fact that they don’t have the tools needed to do it and don’t want to cause damage to the vehicle. Based on the situation, police may be capable of using a slim jim to open the door, but they will need to have a good reason for doing so. If they see that an animal or a child is locked inside a vehicle in the heat, they may break the window.
It’s also a good idea to have an extra key in a safe place in case you’re locked out of your car. Some people keep them in easy-to-access places like their home or their office. Some give them to their family or friends to keep in case of emergencies. If you have a spare contact it prior to calling authorities or taking more drastic steps.
A lot of cars have proximity remotes that conceal an emergency key inside. It is possible to use your car, if it is one of them to open the door from a distance using an instrument that locksmiths could possess. This tool is a slim jim that has a flat end that can be used to pick locks.
2. Call a tow truck
Find a company that provides 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 then spend time investigating their services, their charges, their coverage area, technology and experts.
You’ll be able to make an informed choice when the time comes. These companies can help you with a replacement or emergency key.
The best way to avoid losing your keys is to have an extra set and, when feasible, two or three sets. Keep one at home, give one to your partner or significant other, and keep the other one in your purse or wallet. This will ensure that you do not be stuck in a remote location.
A spare key could save you from having to call roadside assistance. The cost of a brand new key for a traditional one is usually very affordable, but the cost of a smart one can be quite high. These keys utilize an electronic car key replacement chip to operate the vehicle, which means they’ll require pairing with the car by a dealer or manufacturer, and this could take a few days.
To make the process as simple and painless as you can it’s best to have the VIN number of your vehicle handy. You can find this number on the paperwork for your vehicle or on a metal plaque that is placed in the door of the driver. This information will enable professionals to modify your old key so that it functions with the new key.
3. Try an Pump Wedge
It is best to start with a non-destructive treatment particularly when you have children, pets, or elderly people in your vehicle. So you don’t run the risk of needing to call 999 or be charged a high amount from an expert.
One of the most efficient ways to unlock your car is to use an air pump wedge, which are sold in auto lockout kits and also by locksmiths and repo professionals. They’re made from durable, heavy-duty vinyl and are designed to be inflated for a short period of time and then deflated. You can slide them between the weather stripping and the door without having to worry about scratching paint.
You can use a standard wedge, or a curved one is better for most cars. The idea is to create a space for you to insert an extremely thin rod to reach the locked door pin. If the hanger for your coat is strong enough, it could work. You can also use a rod made of plastic or a blood pressure cuff. The goal is to place the rod between the frame and the door so that you can pull it out and unlock the cheap car key replacement near me.
It’s best to stay clear of these methods unless you are in an emergency. If not, the police might have to use a more destructive tool to get into your vehicle to rescue pets or your passengers.
Keep a spare car key home or with a friend near you in case you need to return to your car if you lock yourself out. Also it is important to check whether car 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 vehicles that come with locks that are manually operated, and it works like a DIY slim jim. All you require is a thin coat hanger with a wire and pliers.
With the pliers, untwist 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 connected to the rod for locking. Once you’ve found it lift the lever and your door will open.
Another way is to tie a string with an elongated slip-knot on the upper right corner of the driver’s side of the door. Move the string with a back-and-forth motion (like flossing a tooth) to shift it toward the inside rod of the lock. It may take several attempts and both hands to get the lock to release.
You can also try using a strip of plastic that you bend into a shape that will fit in the narrow gap between the door and frame. This is a more difficult choice however it could be the only way to enter the vehicle in case you can’t find your keys.
It is a good idea to keep a spare key in a place where you can find it in case of emergency. You’ll need to contact road assistance or a locksmith if you don’t. Be sure to have the key code number as well as your personal identification card on your person so that road assistance or locksmith can assist you in a timely manner.