No Fob? No Bueno

One of the foremost causes for car lockouts centers around the key fob itself. The fobs run on batteries and, depending on usage, they can last a good while before dying. If you’re not in the habit of replacing those batteries it’s easy to forget. Fobs will not alert you to a dying battery. This means you might not realize the problem until it’s at hand. 

If a hard key or alternate fob is not available, then the only solution here is to buy a replacement battery for the fob. If you’re unsure how to open a fob and replace a battery, we’re more than happy to provide a quick demonstration. Once a new battery is in place, your lockout issues are resolved. 

A fob can also be reset or reprogrammed by a dealership or mechanic. That means the fob may fail to connect with the vehicle’s locking system. If this is the case then the mechanic or dealership should be tasked with correcting the situation. 

Your Car Battery Will Fail

It’s a truth car owners must deal with every 3-5 years. Car batteries will die. When this happens, the electrical system in your car will not respond at all. The fob will be rendered useless. 

This is where it can get tricky. The immediate thought is to jump the battery but you might wonder how to go about doing that if you can’t access the release for your hood which is inside your very locked car. This is where your hard key comes in handy. Again, it is likely hidden (but obviously so) in the fob itself. 

What if your jumper cables or jump box is in the trunk? This will be locked as well. Again, the hard key is the answer as you must go “old school” to get your car’s electrical system back online. Once you have your charge, then consider having your car battery examined or replaced. 

The above scenarios are the most common, but electric door handles are diverse and can quit functioning for a number of reasons including those that are weather related.

We Have the Solution for Your Car Lockout Problem

As the old saying goes “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Let us sweat it for you. We know all about the how, why and what of car lockouts with electric door handles. 

Whether it’s a battery-related issue or something more complex, we know how to fix the problem and we can get it done on your busy schedule. If you don’t have a spare fob or if your electrical system is not responding, give our auto locksmiths call. Our courteous and professional staff is standing by and always happy to help.  

Replace Car Fob Batteries

First off, if you enter your car using a device that has batteries, make sure they’re charged before winter has fully arrived. Batteries tend to die in colder weather because they require a higher charge to function properly. But you can ensure they’re working properly if you’re confident they’ve been replaced recently. 

Lubricate Locks

Keys get stuck in locks during winter months and your vehicle’s keys are no exception. If you’ve had a history of cold-weather auto lockouts and/or are concerned about it happening in the future, you can lubricate your locks with a spray lubricant to give you peace of mind. Other solutions that heat up the lock (e.g. lighter, hair dryer) can work after the key is already stuck, but applying regular lubrication can help you avoid the frustrations that come with an auto lockout in the winter.

Replace Old Keys

Similar to the first point about replacing batteries, if you know any of your physical keys are old or worn down, it might be a good idea to replace them proactively. Look for signs of rust, age, cracking or inconsistent function and replace any that are suspicious. 

Keep a Locksmith’s Number Handy

A locksmith can help you replace locks and key fobs, but it’s also a good idea to keep a trusted locksmith’s phone number saved in case you’re locked out of your car during the winter. As long as there isn’t an emergency situation, they’re the quickest and best option to address your situation. They can also give you tips on preventing the lockout from happening again. 

Carry a Spare

A spare key is another good option for those who regularly experience auto lockouts of keys stuck in the locks of their vehicles. Just as you would with a spare house key, you can give one to a trusted neighbor or friend, or keep it in a secret area of your purse or wallet.

Prepare, Just In Case

Finally, make sure you know what to do if you need an emergency locksmith in Dallas-Fort Worth. There are resources (like this blog) that provide best practices for different situations, as well as steps to take during a locksmith emergency. Do your research, just in case! If you’re interested in more auto security tips, stop by any of our A-1 Locksmith locations in Dallas-Fort Worth and we’ll be happy to help.

With A-1 Locksmith’s car lockout services, however, you do know what you’re going to get.

From easily identifiable vehicles and uniforms to order confirmations and local knowledge of the area, there are certain perks you can count on with A-1 Locksmith’s car lockout services that you won’t get anywhere else. Let’s take a look at three of them.

1. Easy-To-Identify Branding

Getting locked out of your car is a stressful enough event in itself. You don’t want to worry about the legitimacy of the locksmith you call to handle it. Be wary of locksmiths who don’t have uniforms or a branded vehicle, as they might be unlicensed and lack certifications to guarantee their credibility. (Amateur locksmiths can damage your vehicle and may have the unpleasant surprise of not being insured after the fact.)

With A-1 Locksmith, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with easy-to-identify branding. For our car lockout services, a locksmith will arrive in an A-1 Locksmith vehicle and will be wearing an A-1 Locksmith uniform. Furthermore, every locksmith at A-1 has undergone an extensive background check, is licensed by the State of Texas, bonded and insured.

2. Order Tracking

We track every locksmith at A-1 with GPS and allow you to track your order and where your locksmith is as well. When you request our car lockout services, we provide you with an order confirmation prior to service so you can be sure the locksmith is who they say they are. As a convenience for our valued customers, you can request the same locksmith on any future appointments you make.

3. Local Expertise

Finally, you can’t beat the expertise and familiarity that comes with hiring a local company for your car lockout service. Since our technicians and staff know the area as well, you can count on us reaching your location in an efficient, timely manner. Plus, you’re supporting the local economy and hiring a fellow neighbor who lives, works and plays in the Dallas-Fort Worth area—not a national company with call center representatives on the other side of the country.

If you’re in need of car lockout service, be sure you keep the A-1 Locksmith number (972-284-7500) handy and call us if you have any questions.

When you lock your keys in your car, it can be tempting to panic. But there are several things you can try to unlock your car yourself. We’ll go over a few of these, as well as when it makes more sense to call the police or, more commonly, a professional auto lockout service.

When to Call the Police

For starters, survey the situation and determine whether it’s an emergency or not. If there are children or pets in the vehicle, you might need to call 911 or do something drastic like break the window. This is especially true if it’s hot outside. Or, your car could be in a precarious situation, such as a crime-ridden area or on the railroad tracks. Either way, if time is of the essence, give the authorities a call before trying to unlock it yourself or calling an auto lockout service.

When and How to Unlock Your Car Yourself

Next, decide whether it makes sense to unlock your car yourself. (We’re going to assume here that you don’t have a spare key. If you do, now’s the time to use it. If you don’t, get one made while you can.) As long as you own the vehicle and accept that there may be damage as a result of your efforts, you’re fine to try. (You may also look like a thief, so keep that in mind as well.) Here are a few ways to unlock your car when you don’t have a key:

• If the locking mechanism unlocks by pulling up, you can use your shoestring to tie a small loop and pull it up.
• If the car is near your home or you have a wire hanger on hand, you can make a hook that goes inside the weather stripping and unlock the mechanism.
• A screwdriver can help you pry open the door wide enough to access the door locks with a long rod (or other instrument). 
• Other methods may also work: slim jim’s, inflatable wedges, strips of plastic, tennis balls and so forth. But again, you might look like a thief.

If none of these work (or you’re tired of trying or don’t want to risk potential damage to your vehicle), it might be time to call a professional to handle it instead.

When to Call a Professional

An auto lockout service can get your car unlocked in a jiffy and is likely a better option than trying to unlock your car yourself. Not only do these professionals know what they’re doing, they have advanced equipment that can unlock your car, replace lost keys and even repair broken locks and doors. At A-1 Locksmith, we even meet you at your location promptly and are bonded, insured and monitored by GPS.

The A-1 Locksmith team is always ready when it comes to auto lockout services. Keep our number (972-284-7500) on hand when you need them!