What to Do If I Lock My Keys in the Car in Winter
We've all been there: locked out of your car, especially during the cold winter months when the chill in the air makes the situation even more frustrating. I recently found myself in this exact predicament while rushing to meet a client on a freezing morning. My hands were frozen, and I had just locked my keys inside my car. In this situation, it's easy to panic, but staying calm and knowing the right steps to take can make a huge difference. In this article, I will guide you through the process of handling this unfortunate event and offer solutions to help you regain access to your car safely and quickly.
Keystone Towing
7817 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406, USA
1. Assess the Situation
The first thing you need to do is assess the situation. Before you do anything drastic, take a deep breath and make sure you’re not missing any easy solutions. It’s easy to overlook small details in moments of stress, but reviewing your situation calmly will help you proceed efficiently.
Keystone Towing
7817 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406, USA
1.1 Double Check for Spare Keys
Before calling a locksmith or a roadside assistance service, check if you have a spare key available. Many people forget about the spare keys they have at home, with a neighbor, or at a trusted friend’s house. If you have one, this will save you time, money, and frustration. A good tip for the future is to keep a spare key somewhere accessible but secure—like in a magnetic box near the car or with a trusted person.
1.2 Check if You Have Access to Another Door
It may sound simple, but sometimes another door or the trunk might be unlocked. Try all the doors to see if one is open. Sometimes in the rush, a door might be left unlocked without you realizing it. In my experience, I once discovered that my trunk was unlocked, giving me access to the interior without having to go through the hassle of breaking into the car.
2. If No Spare Key, Consider These Solutions
If you’ve checked and don't have a spare key, and none of the doors are accessible, don’t worry. You still have several options to get back into your car without causing damage or losing too much time.
2.1 Call Roadside Assistance
Many car insurance policies and third-party companies offer roadside assistance services, which can help you unlock your car. This is one of the safest and most reliable ways to resolve the situation. In my case, I’ve found that using a service like Rescue & Towing has saved me a lot of time and hassle. A roadside assistance service can send someone equipped with the proper tools to safely unlock your car without causing any damage.
2.2 Try a Lockout Tool (If You Have One)
If you’re comfortable doing so and have the necessary tools, you can try using a lockout tool. There are special devices available that can gently pop open the door. I personally have a "big easy" tool, a long inflatable wedge that fits between the door and the car body, which allows you to insert a rod to unlock the door. It’s easy to use, but it requires patience and caution to avoid damaging your car. If you're unfamiliar with these tools, it's best to wait for a professional.
3. DIY Methods: When Help Isn’t Available
Sometimes, help may not be immediately available, especially during the winter months when roads are icy or blocked. If you're in a remote area and roadside assistance can’t get to you quickly, here are a couple of DIY methods that may work, though I recommend them only if you're comfortable trying them out.
3.1 Using a Shoelace to Unlock a Car Door
There’s an old trick where you can use a shoelace to unlock a car, but it works primarily on cars that have vertical locks. If you're driving an older model or one that has the traditional vertical lock button, you may be able to carefully loop the shoelace around the lock and pull it up. It’s a method that requires some patience and skill, but it has worked for me in the past. Just be careful not to pull too hard and break the lock.
3.2 The Plastic Strip Trick
For cars with a manual locking system, you can try a plastic strip, such as a thick, sturdy strip of plastic. Insert it between the weather stripping around the window, and attempt to catch the hook of the door’s locking mechanism. This method can sometimes work on older vehicles or cars with basic locking systems. But, again, this is best left to professionals unless you’re experienced with car lockouts.
4. When to Seek Professional Help
While DIY methods can work in some cases, the reality is that car lockouts can sometimes lead to more serious problems if not handled correctly. It's easy to scratch your car, damage the weather stripping, or even break the lock if you're not careful. That's why seeking professional help is often the best course of action.
If you're unable to unlock the car yourself, don't risk damaging your vehicle further. Instead, call a professional locksmith or a trusted roadside assistance service like Rescue & Towing. These professionals are trained to handle all types of lockouts and can ensure that your car is unlocked without causing any unnecessary damage. Additionally, if the issue extends beyond a simple lockout—such as a malfunctioning locking mechanism—you’ll want to have it inspected to avoid future issues.
5. Preventing Lockouts in the Future
Once you’ve resolved the current lockout, it's a good idea to take steps to prevent it from happening again. Here are some tips that I’ve learned over the years:
- Keep a spare key in a secure location, such as with a trusted friend or in a magnetic key holder on your vehicle.
- Consider getting a keyless entry system, which can help prevent the risk of locking your keys in your car.
- Perform regular checks of your car's locking mechanisms to ensure they are working properly and efficiently.
Being locked out of your car, especially in winter, can feel like a nightmare. But with the right knowledge and preparation, you can handle the situation effectively and get back on the road in no time. Remember, the best course of action often depends on your comfort level with DIY repairs and the tools available, but don't hesitate to seek professional help when needed. And if you ever find yourself in need of emergency assistance, remember that Rescue & Towing is just a call away to help with any of your car-related emergencies.
