Why Can't the Key Be Pulled Out After Parking?
2 Answers
The reason why the key cannot be pulled out after parking is that the automatic transmission was not shifted back to the P (Park) position, or the car's steering wheel auto-lock function was activated. Here are the detailed explanations: Not shifted back to P position: For some automatic transmission models, the key can only be pulled out when the gear is shifted back to P position. If the gear is not shifted back to P position or there are foreign objects in the gear slot preventing it from being fully engaged, the key cannot be pulled out. Check if there are any foreign objects like coins stuck in the gear slot and remove them. Steering wheel auto-lock function activated: When the steering wheel auto-lock function is activated, gently turn the key with your right hand while simultaneously rocking the steering wheel left and right with your left hand to release the key.
A while ago, my car also had the embarrassing issue of the key getting stuck. The steering wheel locking is the most common scenario—turning it after the engine is off can trigger the anti-theft lock, making the key impossible to remove. In this case, gently wiggling the steering wheel left and right to unlock it before pulling out the key works best. Another pitfall many people encounter: forgetting to shift an automatic transmission into P (Park)! Once, after moving my car, I left it in N (Neutral) and pulled the handbrake, only to find the key wouldn’t budge. Additionally, mechanical keyholes can jam due to debris or water ingress—I experienced this after a car wash and fixed it by spraying some WD-40. If all else fails, never yank the key forcefully; breaking it will only lead to more costly repairs. In emergencies, try the mechanical unlock button inside the car.
