What to Do When the Buick GL8 Car Key is Locked Inside the Car?
4 Answers
When the primary key is accidentally locked inside the car, try to retrieve the spare key, as this is the simplest and least costly solution. Use a long, sturdy wire to insert along the gap, reach the window control button, and press it to open the window. Press your palm firmly against the glass and shake it up and down while slowly pulling it downward. Once a gap appears, you can use the wire to reach the key or unlock the door. Contact a professional locksmith service to avoid damaging the vehicle itself.
I've actually experienced this before! Last time when I dropped my kid off at cram school, I turned off the engine and got out of the car, then the door locked automatically when the wind blew it shut. I was so anxious I could only stomp my feet, but luckily I remembered my Buick GL8 has OnStar service. I immediately called customer service, and they remotely unlocked the door in less than 10 minutes. Later I learned that if your car has OnStar system, you can just press the blue button on the roof. If your car doesn't have this feature, don't panic - first check if you have spare keys at home and have family members send them over by taxi, which is the safest option. As a last resort, you'll need to call professional locksmiths, but remember to prepare your vehicle registration documents to prove ownership. For daily prevention, I recommend keeping a spare key on your person or hiding a magnetic key box under the chassis - I bought a waterproof case from Taobao and attached it to the chassis frame.
As a veteran driver with 15 years of experience, I suggest not rushing to break the window when you accidentally lock your keys in the car. For business vehicles like the GL8 which usually come with power sliding doors, try pressing and holding the sensor area on the door handle to see if it triggers the door to open. If there's no response, immediately call the Buick emergency hotline—they can remotely unlock the car using the VIN. For lower-end models, you'll need to call a locksmith, which typically costs around 200 yuan. Never attempt to use a wire to hook the lock yourself, as these cars have protective mechanisms in the lock cylinder, and damaging it could cause more trouble. My neighbor once forced the lock and ended up deforming the window guide rail, costing over 2,000 yuan in repairs. For daily prevention, simply buy a detachable key ring from Taobao for about 20 yuan and keep the mechanical key with you at all times.
Solve it with your phone! The new GL8 models come with the iBuick APP. After linking it to the car system, just open the app to unlock. For older models, check if there's an OnStar button—press the blue button to talk to customer service for remote unlocking. If neither works, call your insurance company; many offer free lockout services. Just the other day, my colleague forgot to pull out the keys and called Ping An Auto Insurance—they sent someone who arrived in ten minutes. Make it a habit to keep a spare key in your office drawer and hide a house key in the password lock box on your anti-theft door. And don’t follow my relative’s example of sticking a spare key under the chassis—it fell off after a few car washes, forcing a full lock replacement.
