3 DIY Tips For Emergency Car Key Replacement

Losing your keys to your car could be a frustrating and stressful experience. There are some steps you can do to assist yourself in the event of this happening to you.

The first step is to check the obvious places, such as your pockets or purse. Next, consider buying a spare key and keeping it in a safe place. This will help to prevent theft in the future.

1. Contact the police

If you've lost your keys and aren't able to locate them, the best solution is to contact the police. They will be able to assist you more than a locksmith or roadside assistance. They'll also be able to inform the public that someone may have possibly stolen your car keys, which could prevent others from using them without permission.

They can't open the doors of your car unless there is an emergency. They don't have tools and don't want the vehicle damaged. Depending on the circumstances, police may be capable of using an incredibly small jim to open the door, but they'll require a compelling reason to do so. For example, if they see an animal or small child trapped inside the vehicle in hot weather, they could cut the window to save the life of a person.

It is also advisable to keep a spare car key hidden in case you have to lock yourself out of your vehicle. Some people keep them in easily accessible places like their home or their office. Others lend them to friends or family members to keep in case of an emergency. If you have an extra contact it before calling authorities or taking more drastic actions.

Many cars come with proximity remotes that conceal an emergency key hidden within them. You might be able, if your car is one of them to open the door from a distance using a special tool a locksmith would use. The tool is a small jim with a flat-ended end that can be used to pick locks.

2. Call a Tow truck

If you have lost your car keys The most important thing to do is locate a business that can provide an emergency replacement of car keys. It is best to save their contact numbers in your phone under "Emergency," and spend some time looking into their services costs, coverage areas, charges technology, and experts.

This will enable you to make an informed choice when the need arises. These companies can assist you with an emergency key replacement or replacement.

The best way to prevent losing your keys is to keep an extra set, and should you be able to, if feasible, three or four sets. Keep one at home, give one to your partner or your significant other, and keep the other one in your wallet or pocket. This will help you avoid being stranded in a remote location.

A spare key can also prevent you from having to call roadside assistance. A new key for a conventional key is usually very affordable. However, the cost for replacement car key of a smart key can be quite expensive. These keys utilize an electronic chip to control the vehicle, so they'll require pairing with the vehicle by a dealership or manufacturer, and this can take several days.

To make the process as fast and painless as you can, it's always recommended to keep the VIN number of your vehicle in your possession. It can be found on your car's paperwork or is often stamped on a metal plate in the doorpost for the driver's side. This information will enable professionals to reprogram your old key so that it can work with the new key.

3. Try a Pump Wedge

It's best to start with a non-destructive method especially if you have young children or pets, as well as elderly people in your car. So you don't run the risk of having to call 999, or be charged a high amount from an expert.

One of the easiest ways to unlock your car is to use an air pump wedge, which are offered in auto lockout kits and also by locksmiths and repo experts. These wedges are made from durable vinyl that can be deflated and inflated quickly. This allows you to slip them between the door and the weather stripping without risking scratching or damaging the paint of the car.

For the majority of cars, a curved wedge is preferred. The idea is to create space in which you can place an extremely thin rod to reach the door pin locked. A coat hanger could be suitable if it's sturdy enough, but you could also try a plastic rod or even a blood pressure cuff. The goal is to get the rod between the frame and the door so that you can pull it to unlock the car.

Most of these methods cause the car alarm to go off and that's why it's best to avoid these methods unless you're in an emergency. If not, the police might require an additional tool to enter your vehicle to rescue passengers or pets.

Keep a spare key somewhere at home or with a close friend in order to have a chance to get back in your car in case you lock yourself out. Also, make sure that your insurance for your vehicle or roadside assistance plan will cover car key replacement.

4. Try a Coathanger

You've probably seen the coat hanger trick in a movie. This is an option for older cars that have manual locks. It functions like a slim jim. All you require is a wire coat hanger and pliers.

Untwist the coathanger using pliers until one side is hooked, and the other straight. Slide the hook between the window frame and the door frame. This will give you a better chance of locating the control arm which is attached to the rod for locking. Once you've found it push the lever upwards and the door should be opened.

Another method is to tie a long string using a slip knot in the upper right-hand corner of the door for the driver. Wiggle the string with a back-and-forth motion (like flossing a huge tooth) to shift it toward the inside rod. It may be necessary to use both hands and it may take several attempts, but if it is successful, the lock will release and you can open the door.

You could also consider using a strip of plastic that is bent into a shape that fits into the small gap between the door and the frame. This isn't the most ideal solution but it may be the only option if you are unable to find your keys.

If you have an extra key, it's best to keep it somewhere that you can easily access in the event of an emergency. If you don't, you'll have to call road assistance or a locksmith. It is recommended to carry your key code number and personal identification with you so that road assistance or a locksmith could help you quickly.