Car lockouts can be frustrating and stressful, especially when you’ve lost your keys or accidentally locked them inside. It’s an inconvenience that can cause delays in your day. Fortunately, there are preventative measures you can take to avoid these situations. In this guide, we’ll provide useful tips on how to prevent getting locked out.
Always Ensure You Have Your Keys Before Locking the Door
Forgetting your keys inside the car is one of the most common reasons for car lockouts. To avoid this situation, always double-check that you have your keys with you before locking the doors. Be sure to check all compartments, ensuring your keys are safely with you in your pocket, bag, or another designated area. Developing this habit can prevent the inconvenience of needing emergency lockout assistance.
Never Forget: Keep a Spare Key Nearby
A spare key is a smart way to prevent car lockouts. Keep it in a safe location, like your wallet, with a trusted friend, or in a magnetic key box on your car. Having a spare key ensures you won’t need to call a locksmith, saving you time and money.
Enhance Convenience by Installing a Keyless Entry System
Keyless entry systems are an advanced option to prevent car lockouts, allowing you to unlock and start your car without a traditional key. You can easily access your vehicle with a button on a fob or via a smartphone app. Many newer cars have keyless entry as a standard feature, but if yours doesn’t, upgrading can provide significant benefits. Not only does it make accessing your car more convenient, but it also helps eliminate the risk of losing or misplacing your keys.
Avoid the Hassle of Lost Keys: Use a Key Tracker
Everyone loses their keys at some point, but a key tracker makes it easier to find them. These small devices attach to your keychain and sync with a smartphone app, letting you track your keys in real-time. If your keys are misplaced, just use the app to locate them. This technology ensures your keys are always within reach, helping to prevent lockouts.
Automatic Locking Can Cause Lockouts – Stay Alert
Many vehicles today come with automatic locking features, making them more secure and convenient. However, they can sometimes lead to accidental lockouts. Be aware of when your car locks automatically, especially if the keys are still in the car. Some cars lock themselves once the door is closed, and you may not notice until you try to open it. To avoid this issue, either disable the feature (if possible) or always take your keys with you when you exit the vehicle.
A Lockbox Adds Extra Security for Your Keys
Another way to avoid lockouts is to utilize a lockbox, often known as a key vault. The purpose of these small, secure boxes is to keep an extra key. The box can be mounted on your vehicle (for instance, next to the bumper or under the wheel well) or left in a covered, easily accessible location. The extra key is only available to you or authorized people since the lockbox needs a code to be unlocked. A lockbox can be quite useful in an emergency since it guarantees that you can always get into your car, even if you misplace your main key.
Be Aware of Key Fob Battery Life to Avoid Surprises
Although key fobs are mostly useful for convenience, their batteries might run out over time, which can lead to malfunctions and possibly lockout situations. The battery has to be changed if your key fob starts to operate sporadically or slowly. If you want to avoid frustration, replace the battery before it entirely fails. It’s a good idea to update your key fob batteries on a frequent basis to ensure reliable access to your car because they are inexpensive and simple to repair.
Prevent Lockouts by Never Locking Keys in the Trunk
If your car has a trunk, avoid the mistake of leaving your keys inside it, especially if you’re closing the trunk carelessly. Many individuals lock themselves out by leaving their keys in the trunk and forgetting to retrieve them before closing it. If this happens regularly, consider keeping your trunk key separate from your main car key. This extra precaution can help prevent you from accidentally locking your keys inside the trunk.
Be Mindful of Locking Mechanisms to Avoid Accidental Lockouts
For older cars or ones with manual locks, it’s important to be careful when locking the doors while your keys are inside. Without central locking or automatic systems, it’s easy to lock the door from the outside while leaving your keys on the seat. This common mistake can cause a frustrating lockout. Always check that your keys are safely in hand before locking the door, and use a keychain with a large or brightly colored tag to help you find your keys more easily.
Keep Your Property Safe with Professional Locksmith Services
A lockout may still happen, despite all precautions. If you find yourself in this situation, stay calm. A professional locksmith can swiftly help you get back into your vehicle. Many locksmiths offer emergency lockout services, so having their contact information on hand is essential. This guarantees you can get the help you need immediately.
Preventing car lockouts is not difficult, but it can make a big difference in reducing stress. A few proactive steps—such as checking for keys before locking, using a spare key, installing keyless entry, and considering key trackers—can greatly lower the chances of a lockout. Also, remember to take care of your key fob, avoid locking your keys in the trunk, and be mindful of automatic locking features. With these simple tips, you’ll be set to avoid car lockouts and enjoy a smoother, safer drive.