How to Unlock My Car When I’ve Lost Both Keys

1. The Dreaded Moment: Losing Both Keys

It happened to me one chilly evening as I stood outside my car, realizing that not only had I lost one key—but both. I had no spare, and the thought of being locked out without a way to get into my car was overwhelming. The first instinct when I realized what happened was panic. I thought of how I’d have to get my car towed or worse, pay a fortune for a locksmith to come out and unlock it. I was stuck in a parking lot miles from home, and I didn’t want to waste any time figuring out what to do next.

If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation, you know exactly what it feels like. Losing both car keys isn’t just frustrating—it’s inconvenient and can put a halt to your day’s plans. However, the good news is there are a few steps you can take to regain access to your car without the need for expensive services or an emergency locksmith. In this article, I’m going to walk you through some effective ways to unlock your car when you’ve lost both keys.

2. The First Step: Assess Your Situation

Before you start panicking, it’s important to assess your situation. I’ve learned through experience that staying calm is half the battle. Here’s what you need to do first:

• Check for Spare Keys: This might seem obvious, but make sure you didn’t forget a spare key at home or with a friend. When I found myself locked out, I initially thought I was doomed, but a quick mental check reminded me of a spare key I’d hidden in my garage. It saved me from going down the more expensive route.
• Look for Other Access Points: In my case, I had to consider if there was any other access to my car. For example, some vehicles might have keyless entry or a hidden access port that can be unlocked with a manual override. If your car has such options, try to explore them before calling for outside help.

Once I ruled out these simple options, I was left with the realization that I needed to find a way to unlock the car without the keys.

3. Calling for Help: Professional Locksmith Services

At this point, I knew that calling a professional locksmith was probably my best option. I didn’t want to risk damaging my car by trying to unlock it myself, and I wasn’t keen on waiting for a tow truck. When I called a locksmith, they explained the process, which was far less intimidating than I initially thought. The locksmith arrived with special tools and was able to unlock my car door without causing any damage. In my case, the service wasn’t overly expensive, and it only took about 20 minutes.

While waiting for the locksmith, I learned a lot about the process. Most locksmiths can unlock your car quickly, even if you’ve lost both keys. They have the necessary tools, like a “big easy” tool, to unlock modern vehicles without causing any harm to the door or locks. Many locksmiths can also make a new key for you on the spot if you need one, saving you a trip to the dealership. This was a huge relief to me.

4. Alternative Methods: Using a Tow Service

In some situations, if you’re unable to get a locksmith, or if you simply want to avoid the wait, towing services like Rescue & Towing can come in handy. I’ve used their services before for a variety of car-related emergencies, and they offer more than just towing. They can often provide roadside assistance, which includes unlocking your car if you’ve lost your keys.

In my case, I called Rescue & Towing, and they quickly dispatched a team. In addition to towing my car to a safe location, they used their specialized equipment to open my car and even made a duplicate key right there on-site. This kind of service is perfect if you need to solve multiple problems in one go, especially if your car is in a less accessible place or you don’t want to wait for a locksmith.

One thing to keep in mind when using a towing or roadside assistance service is that they may not be able to unlock your car in all cases, especially if the lock is more advanced or the car is newer. However, with their professional expertise, they are often capable of finding a solution that works quickly and safely.

5. DIY Methods: When You’re in a Bind

If you’re in a desperate situation and can’t afford to wait for help, there are a few DIY methods I’ve read about (and even tried myself) to unlock a car. Keep in mind that these methods come with risks, and if you’re not experienced, they could damage your vehicle. That said, here are a couple of ways I tried in the past:

• Using a Clothes Hanger: This method involves inserting a thin wire or a coat hanger between the window and the door frame. You would use the wire to pull up the lock mechanism. While it worked for me once in an emergency, it’s important to note that modern cars have more sophisticated locks that may be harder to manipulate with this method.
• Using a “Big Easy” Tool: Some DIY kits are available that include a special tool designed to create a small gap between your door frame and window, allowing you to access the lock. These kits can be found online, but I wouldn’t recommend using them unless you’re confident you can do it without damaging the vehicle.

While these methods can sometimes work in a pinch, I’ve learned the hard way that it’s always better to call a professional service. In my case, trying to unlock the car myself caused some minor scratches, and I was lucky that nothing more serious happened.

6. Preventing Future Lockouts

After this experience, I became much more diligent about preventing future lockouts. I learned from my mistake of losing both keys, and now I always have a spare key hidden in a secure place. If you’re like me and tend to forget your keys often, there are some useful solutions that can help avoid this problem in the future:

• Keyless Entry Systems: If your car supports it, consider investing in a keyless entry system. This allows you to unlock your car with a key fob or even through a mobile app. I recently added this feature to my car, and it’s been a game-changer, allowing me to access my vehicle without needing a physical key.
• Hide-a-Key Options: There are many key-hiding devices on the market that are designed to securely store a spare key. Whether it’s a magnetic box or a lockbox, having a hidden spare key has been my go-to backup plan whenever I’m out and about.
• Backup Key Services: Many car dealerships and key makers offer backup key services, where they can make an additional key for you and store it in case of emergencies. This was something I opted for after my own experience with a lockout.

These proactive steps can prevent the stress and hassle of being locked out of your car in the future, giving you peace of mind that you’ll always have a way in when you need it most.

7. Conclusion: Call for Help When Needed

While losing both keys to your car is a frustrating experience, there are several ways to regain access and solve the problem quickly. Whether you choose to call a professional locksmith, use a towing service like Rescue & Towing, or attempt a DIY method, the key is to stay calm and assess your options. Having a backup plan in place for future lockouts will also make the situation less stressful next time. Remember, if you’re ever in doubt, it’s always safer to rely on professional help.