What Are the Reasons for a Car Being Locked and Unable to Start?
2 Answers
The reasons for a car being locked and unable to start are as follows: Steering Wheel Lock: It is common for car owners to report that their car won't start, and the key won't turn. In such cases, it is necessary to check whether the steering wheel was straightened when parking. If the steering wheel is at a slightly larger angle (e.g., more than 30 degrees), the steering wheel will automatically lock as an anti-theft measure. At this point, the key may not turn, and the car won't start. The solution is simple: just turn the steering wheel forcefully while turning the key to unlock the steering wheel. Not in P Gear: If the car can be started in D gear or R gear, the sudden movement of the vehicle during ignition poses a significant safety hazard. Therefore, for automatic transmission vehicles (AT, CVT, AMT), manufacturers preset this mode and repeatedly emphasize in the manual: ensure the gear is in P position when starting. However, modern cars will remind the driver through the central dashboard if the gear is not in P when parking, sometimes accompanied by a beep, so the likelihood of this happening is very low. It usually occurs when the driver hastily turns off the engine in D gear and leaves the car, only to overlook this issue when getting back in.
Last time I drove to the supermarket, I also encountered the situation where the car was locked and wouldn't start, which really stressed me out. Later, I found out that the steering wheel was locked because I didn't pull out the key after parking and incidentally turned the steering wheel, which automatically locked as an anti-theft feature. Just apply a bit of force to turn the steering wheel while inserting and turning the key to unlock and start the car. However, sometimes the reasons aren't that simple. For example, insufficient battery power can prevent ignition—I once experienced this in winter when the aged battery was dead, and I had to jump-start it. There are also key issues; if the key chip is out of power or the anti-theft system is mistakenly activated, the car will lock and refuse to start. It's advisable to always place the key properly, avoid moving the steering wheel before turning off the engine and removing the key when parking, and regularly check the battery's health—these habits can prevent most troubles. If the car still won't start, don't force it; call a friend or a professional repair shop for help—safety first.
