A friend recently got a newer model loaner car because her car was at the dealership being repaired. She had gone grocery shopping and put her purse in the trunk with her packages then, without thought, she shut the trunk on the rental vehicle. When she grabbed the driver’s side door handle it didn’t open. In a rising panic she checked all four doors on the vehicle and then the trunk. None would open. She described the feeling as one of sheer anxiety, as her cell phone was in her purse, locked in the trunk with the car keys.
She was lucky, as she was able to call the rental company from the grocery store phone and they sent a towing service out to unlock the car. The auto insurance giant, AAA, reported in 2013 that they helped over four million Americans get back into their cars after a lock-out and that the proliferation of smart car keys hadn’t resulted in less lock-outs.1
Knowing what to do when you are locked out of your vehicle can help give you peace of mind.
The Need for Help
The first thing to do when you realize that you are locked out of your vehicle is to assess your situation. If your child or pet is locked in the car on a hot or extremely cold day, call 911 right away. You should also call 911 if you believe that your physical safety is in jeopardy.
While police have been able to use common tools to unlock vehicles in the past, most are no longer able to perform that service. This is due to the increasing technological complexity of today’s cars, namely electronics and air bag systems mounted in the car doors.
If you are in a vulnerable situation the police may suggest calling a towing service to get you and your vehicle to a safer place. The police or the towing service technician may be able to provide the number to a reputable locksmith who can open the vehicle safely without costly damages to the car.
A professional locksmith will have the knowledge to know how to open vehicles with newer locking systems and will also have the specialized tools to open your car or truck door without damaging the vehicle.
Calling a Locksmith
To find a reputable locksmith in your area make sure the business address given on the listing, Facebook site or website is legitimate. Ask how long the locksmith has been in business and if they are trained in vehicle lock-out services. It is also acceptable to ask for a cost estimate prior to the locksmith coming out. You might also check with the Better Business Bureau.2
While checking to see if the locksmith is reputable is difficult in a lock-out situation, do as much as you can to ensure you won’t become a victim of a scam artist preying on your trust when you are vulnerable. Our recommendation is to find a reputable locksmith in your area before you need them in an emergency situation.
A Spare Key
If you are not in an emergency situation you should call a family member or friend to let them know of your situation and your location. You should also ask them to bring you a spare key if one is available. It is a myth that they may also be able to press the unlock button on your spare keyless entry fob over the phone to unlock the car remotely.
A remote keyless entry (RKE) system transmits an encrypted data stream to a receiver inside the automobile via an RF – radio frequency – signal that can’t be effectively relayed via cell phone according to Snopes, the internet’s definitive fact checking source.3
Snopes does say that having someone transmit the unlock signal over a cell phone might work if your vehicle has a non-standard RKE system, but that method won’t work for the vast majority of vehicles manufactured today.
Some vehicles equipped with special features can be unlocked remotely. If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar’s Remote Door Unlock feature you can call an OnStar advisor at 1-888-4-ONSTAR and provide your four-digit OnStar PIN or you can use an app on your phone such as OnStar RemoteLink, my Chevrolet, myBuick, myGMC or myCadillac.4
Ford vehicles equipped with FordPass Connect can also be opened remotely using the FordPass app if you have previously added your vehicle to the app.5 It is best to check your vehicle manufacturer and familiarize yourself with all the features of your keyless remote system before you are in an emergency situation.
Locksmith to the Rescue
If you have lost your keys, the services of a professional locksmith can be invaluable. They can provide you with a new key right away whether you need a transponder key, car key remote, proximity key or smart key. They can also program your smart key chip so all of the smart key functions work correctly.
Whatever your lockout emergency, Action Locksmith provides emergency services that are available 24/7. Our locksmith business is family owned and operated and has been proudly serving the residents of Michigan for more than 30 years. From re-keying to door repair, keyless entry and camera systems, you can trust our service. Call for a security consultation today!
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1 AAA Says Millions of Motorist Still Locked Out on Smart Car Keys, by Ellen Edmonds, 3/6/2013
Link: https://www.hixwrecker.com/what-to-do-if-you-are-locked-out-of-your-vehicle
2 Better Business Bureau
Link: https://www.bbb.org/
3 Will a Cell Phone Unlock Keyless Cars? by David Mikkelson, 7/27/2004
Link: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/remote-possibility/
4 OnStar Remote Door Unlock
Link: https://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/general-motors-technology/onstar/onstar-remote-door-unlock/
5 How Can I Lock/Unlock My Vehicle Remotely?
Link: https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/fordpass/fordpass-connect/how-can-i-lockunlock-my-vehicle-remotely/