Generally speaking, the issue of being unable to remove the car key after stalling is more common in automatic transmission models. The reason is that the gear shift lever may not be fully engaged in the P (Park) position. It might appear to be in place, but in reality, it hasn't triggered the electronic sensor, or there could be obstructions like coins in the gear slot preventing it from returning to the correct position. In such cases, the owner should check for any foreign objects in the gear slot, remove them, start the car, shift the gear again to ensure it is fully engaged, and then the key can be pulled out. Another common situation is when the key cannot be turned after insertion. This is not a malfunction but rather the car's steering wheel automatic locking feature, a simple anti-theft function. It usually occurs when, after parking and stalling the engine, the steering wheel is accidentally turned left or right, or if the wheels are not aligned properly when parked. Any force applied can cause the steering wheel to turn, activating the self-locking mechanism, which engages the steering lock pin with the steering column, making the steering wheel immovable. Even if the key is inserted and turned with force, it won't budge. If you encounter this issue, you can try gently turning the key with your right hand while simultaneously wiggling the steering wheel left and right with your left hand. This should allow the key to turn. In daily use, certain behaviors can easily damage the car key, such as dropping it from a height. Many car owners might have given the key to their children as a toy, but children may not understand its value and throw it around. The internal circuitry of the key is relatively fragile and can be easily damaged by strong impacts. Another scenario is water damage. If water seeps into the key and damages the internal circuits, it can cause the remote control function to fail.
