What to Do When the Car is Locked with Keys Inside?
3 Answers
Here are the solutions when the keys are locked inside the car: 1. Go home and get the spare key: Nowadays, most cars come with two keys for the owner, one for regular use and the other as a spare. 2. Contact a professional locksmith: Make sure to hire a licensed and reputable locksmith company. A legitimate locksmith will present relevant documents before unlocking, such as the vehicle registration and ID card. 3. Seek help from a 4S store: Most 4S stores offer after-sales rescue services. After calling, just wait on-site for the rescue team to arrive. 4. Emergency measures: If the above three methods fail, you may resort to breaking the glass. Key tips: Do not smash the front or rear windshield, especially the triangular windows, as matching and repairing them later can be very costly. Instead, target the side windows of the front or rear doors. When breaking the glass, be quick, accurate, and forceful to avoid injury from shattered glass.
Having driven for over a decade, I've seen many friends lock their keys in the car—it's quite common. The first thing is not to panic; take a deep breath. If you have a spare key, go get it immediately—it might be at home, the office, or ask a friend to bring it over. If there's no spare, contact your car brand's professional repair shop or 4S store. They have specialized tools to safely open the door without scratching the paint or breaking the glass, which is more reliable than regular locksmith services. Many 4S stores also offer 24-hour support, costing around 200-500 yuan. Remember, safety first: if there are people or pets inside, call 110 immediately for help. Don't try to pick the lock or use a wire hook yourself—it's risky. For prevention, I always recommend hiding a spare key in a magnetic box under the car chassis or attaching it to a keychain outside your pocket. Some modern cars have features like keyless entry systems that prevent locking the keys inside, but older models don't. Make it a habit to check that you have the key in your hand every time you close the door. Learning some emergency knowledge is good, but don't experiment recklessly.
Last time on a business trip, I also did something silly by locking my keys in the car and panicking. Fortunately, I remembered there was an emergency release lever in the trunk—some cars are designed to allow opening the trunk from inside for escape, but you should first check the manual to confirm. If that doesn’t work, calling AAA or a local locksmith can get the job done in about 30 minutes, costing around $150. Nowadays, many cars support remote unlocking via mobile apps, like BMW or Tesla owners who can download their brand’s app to resolve the issue. If you haven’t set up the app, registering on the spot might not be quick enough. Develop good habits: always glance at where your keys are before locking the door—don’t just focus on your phone. In emergencies, ask a friend to help with a spare key. Cost considerations: professional services are expensive but safe; DIY attempts might damage the car and cost more. Staying calm is key. After learning this lesson, I’ve become more careful when going out.
