Why can't the key be pulled out from Lavida?

[Wayne]

It may be that the gear is not fully engaged in the P position, or the steering wheel is not returned to the correct position. Here is some relevant information: 1. Overview: Lavida is a sedan produced by Shanghai Volkswagen and was launched in June 2008. While continuing the design language of "dynamic and fashionable" in the A-class car market, the LAVIDA Lavida embodies a new design DNA—"fusion." 2. Others: As a new car specially designed for Chinese consumers, the LAVIDA Lavida not only maintains the excellent quality of German design but also incorporates many aesthetic concepts reflecting traditional Chinese culture and cutting-edge design elements.

[HenryFitz]

I've been driving for twenty years, and the most common reason for not being able to remove the Lavida key is the steering wheel lock. When you turn the steering wheel after turning off the engine, the locking mechanism clicks into place. At this point, the key seems welded into the ignition, and you can't pull it out no matter how hard you try. The solution is actually super simple: gently wiggle the steering wheel left and right with your left hand while twisting the key with your right hand to unlock it. Another possibility is that the automatic transmission isn't in the P position—just push the gear lever all the way forward to the P position. If the keyhole is dusty or worn, you can spray some WD-40 for lubrication. However, I must remind everyone not to yank the key forcefully. I've seen people break the lock cylinder, which can cost a thousand bucks to replace the entire ignition switch.

[MacJoshua]

Last week I encountered this exact issue—the key was completely stuck after the engine shut off. At first, I panicked, thinking the car was broken. Then I remembered a friend mentioning to check the gear position. Sure enough, it was still in Neutral (N). After shifting it back to Park (P), the key came out instantly. If the gear isn’t the problem, there’s an 80% chance the steering wheel lock is resisting. Remember: never force it in this situation. Sit tight, gently wiggle the steering wheel left and right—like solving a puzzle to find the right angle—while turning the key, and it’ll release. Worn keys can also stick; regularly clean dust from the key teeth with alcohol swabs. If all else fails, don’t panic—VW’s anti-theft system rarely permanently locks the key.

[StEzra]

The key getting stuck in the Lavida mainly involves two mechanisms at play. First is the gear shift interlock, which physically blocks the key when the transmission is not in the P position. Second is the steering column lock, which mechanically locks the key when the steering wheel is turned to a specific angle. To resolve the issue, follow these steps: ensure the brake is pressed and the gear is shifted to P, with the P indicator displayed on the dashboard; if that doesn't work, gently turn the steering wheel to find the lock point—usually turning it 15 degrees to the left will release it. For vehicles with electronic gear shifters, also pay attention to the battery voltage, as low power can cause signal errors. For prevention, always straighten the steering wheel before shifting gears when turning off the engine, avoiding leaving the steering system under tension.