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.  

As an automotive locksmith that has helped thousands of people regain access to their vehicles, we know this tends to happen in certain places more than others. Here are four places where you need to be especially thoughtful about your keys:

1. Home

Believe it or not, this is one of the most common places people lock keys in their cars. This is because we spend most of our lives leaving home, and coming back. Whether your mind is preoccupied with what went on during your day or your children are playing around with the car while it’s in the garage, it’s easier than you think for your doors to inadvertently lock while the keys are inside. Some ways to avoid this include making sure your keys are in the same spot of your home, or investing in a smart key fob that won’t let the vehicle doors lock while it’s inside.

2. Work

Next, the place most of us spend our second-greatest amount of time: work. Typically, people go to work five days a week and often take lunch breaks, so there are a lot of opportunities for this to happen. But one of the biggest reasons this happens is because we have work on our minds or are carrying things we need for work (e.g., briefcases, lunch). Adding a reminder to your phone or computer is one way to potentially mitigate the risk of locking keys in your car at work.

3. While Shopping

Shopping centers are another standard location for car lockouts. From grocery stores, and malls to big-box retailers, these places usually involve carrying bags back to your automobile. This leaves them prone to slipping—or you forgetting about them entirely. Or, if you have a trunk, you might put all your bags, and the keys inside the trunk and close it. Either way, having an auto locksmith you trust is invaluable to meet you at the store, and unlock your car.

4. On the Road

Finally, it’s not uncommon to lock keys in your car while on a road trip or if you’re having car troubles on the side of the road. These situations aren’t part of our routines, so our minds can get distracted, and we make a mistake with our keys. A-1 Locksmith has provided emergency, and mobile locksmith services time, and time again for situations like this.

Wherever you’ve locked your keys in your car in Dallas-Fort Worth, A-1 Locksmith is here to provide the best auto lockout services you’ll find. Contact us today if this ever happens to you.

Yes, having a spare key on hand is more beneficial than you might think. Here are a few reasons why you should consider having one made, and how a professional locksmith can help.

1. Emergency Situations

First, there is the most obvious reason. Whether you’re running late for an important meeting or rushing a loved one to the hospital, realizing you’ve misplaced your car key in an urgent situation is not good. In moments like this, having a spare key readily accessible can save your day. You can always look for your regular key after you’ve addressed the situation. From locking your keys inside the car to losing them completely, and being stranded while you’re away from home, a spare key or professional locksmith can help you in extenuating circumstances.

2. Avoiding Lockouts

Locking your keys in your car can needlessly create very real problems. Not only is it frustrating, but it can cause a major inconvenience as well. This is especially true if you’re in a remote area or dealing with unfavorable weather conditions. However, having a spare key tucked away safely lets you regain access to your vehicle even when you’ve locked the keys inside. Without a spare key in this instance, you’ll need to shell out for emergency services, and potentially wait a while until help arrives.

3. Peace of Mind

Knowing that you have a spare key handy in case of an emergency adds a layer of calm to your otherwise busy day. You can gain a sense of security, and peace of mind, especially if you’re traveling with family members you feel obligated to protect (like children and the elderly). You likely have a backup plan at home in case of a fire, right? The same concept applies to key-related emergencies, as spare keys alleviate unnecessary stress, and worry. It’s a simple precaution, but one that can make a world of difference as you deal with unforeseen circumstances while on the road.

4. Cost Savings

A spare key is a small expense in the grand scheme of things. Still, some are hesitant to make this investment, or view it as unnecessary. But it’s a small price to pay compared to the potential costs associated with losing or damaging your primary keys. As technology improves, modern car keys (especially programmable keys or fobs) are getting more expensive to replace, which can dwarf the cost of a spare key. It’s also possible replacing your main keys will involve specialized equipment and programming, which will up the cost as well. 

5. Convenient Sharing

If you want to loan a car to a family member or trusted friend, it takes more trust if you only have one set of car keys on hand. With a spare key readily available, it’s easier and more convenient to loan out your spare key, whether for carpooling, running errands or a short trip. Having multiple keys also means you don’t have to worry as much about handovers or scheduling conflicts, giving you extra flexibility, and accessibility. 

6. Preventing Wear and Tear

One overlooked reason is the fact that your key wears down over time. So the more you use your regular key, the higher the likelihood will be of that key breaking or malfunctioning. A spare key can help here if you rotate between your spare, and regular keys from time to time, maximizing the lifespan of both. Distributing the usage more evenly will go a long way to maintaining the functionality of your car’s locking system.

7. Preparedness

Last, but not least, spare keys can help you respond to certain situations faster and easier. With events like natural disasters or local emergencies, time is of the essence, and a spare key will help you quickly evacuate or access supplies stored in your vehicle. Whether a storm is approaching and you can’t find your primary keys or you want to go straight to where you know your spare key is stored, just having the option means that you are ready to respond swiftly to unforeseen emergencies.

These are just a few reasons you might need a spare key for your car. However, instead of heading to the dealership or closest kiosk to get one made, we recommend going with a professional partner you can trust, like A-1 Locksmith. Contact us today or visit one of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations to get your spare key made, view options or ask any questions you may have.

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.

This is especially true when it comes to your house, vehicle or business. Even the best of us can get locked out on occasion. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix these situations (and prevent them from happening in the first place). Here are a few tips for the next time you’re locked out.

Tips for When You’re Locked Out of Your Car

Getting locked out of your car is a stressful situation, so we won’t distract you with details about why this happens, how often and so forth. Let’s get straight to the tips:

• Call 911 if anyone is in danger. This includes people in, and out of the car. If everyone is safe, move on to these other tips.
• Make sure you can’t access the vehicle. Check all doors, the trunks, and any possible access points.
• Think of backup key locations. Are they with a friend, family member or at home?
• Attempt a DIY access. This isn’t a recommendation as it can often make the problem worse, but attempting to enter your car while locked out in a DIY manner is possible. The difficulty varies by vehicle make/model, and can often cause damage that will have you regretting the decision. With that said, this is an option we wanted to keep on the list and one that is worth considering depending on your situation and experience level.
• Call roadside assistance or a professional locksmith. Professionals can travel to your location to tow your car or unlock your vehicle.

Note: breaking in whether via a window or destroying a lock is not an option we’d consider.

Tips for When You’re Locked Out of Your House

We’ll do the same thing for getting locked out of your house. Here are some tips for when this happens to you:

• Call someone you know. For both safety purposes, and to help find a spare key.
• Utilize technology. Open the door or garage remotely if you have an app connected.
• Look for access points. Just be aware you will look suspicious to onlookers.
• Remove the door knob – Other DIY: If you can get your hands on tools, you may be able to remove a door knob and certain locks. Given your familiarity with your home, you may explore other DIY options here as well, but as with the auto DIY access, this is on our list of tips more because it’s an option than recommendation.
• Call a professional locksmith. While you may not want a surprise cost from having been locked out of your home, you may be surprised how much you’ll save in terms of time as well as cost to just pay professionals to do their job. 

Tips for When You’re Locked Out of Your Business

Lastly, here are some tips for when you’re locked out of your business:

• Think through solutions. As a business owner, you likely have several backup, and alternate entry options. Also consider how several of the above tips might apply here.
• Call a locksmith. You might want to do this earlier than other scenarios on this list, as downtime affects your bottom line.
• Prevent future lockouts. Install a master key system, access control system or another security solution to prevent lockouts.
  

If you have any other locksmith-related questions, be sure to give us a call or stop by any of our DFW-area locations, and a professional team member will help you.

The good news is that there are ways to avoid losing your keys, especially if it keeps happening in your vehicle. Let’s go over a few reasons why some people keep locking keys in their cars.

Reason #1: There Are Changes In Your Routine

When there is something that affects your routine (e.g. you’re in a hurry), that’s when there is a good chance you’ll do something abnormal like lock your keys in the car. When you rush or do things differently than you normally do, it can cause your brain to misfire, and you’ll forget about all the steps that are normally part of your routine. Try creating good habits, and realize when your route has been affected so you’re more vigilant about keeping track of your car keys.

Reason #2: They Blend In!

You could be losing your car keys often because they don’t stand out enough. If your keys are similar in color or texture to your seats, glove box, cupholders, and dashboard, there’s a good chance you’ll miss them at some point. Instead, add some personality, and color to your keys by personalizing them.

Reason #3: Your Car Uses A Fob

When your car doesn’t even use a key, you can’t lock it inside the car, right? Wrong. If your car utilizes keyless entry via a fob or other wireless device, it can be even easier to lock the device inside the car. This is because you get into the habit of not using your keys to start the vehicle, and then one day, you forget to take the fob with you. The good news is that many automobile manufacturers these days are adding alarms to fobs that notify you when the key is still in the vehicle. Other cars won’t even lock if the fob is in it. But it’s something to keep in mind.

How To Avoid Locking Your Keys In Your Car

Many of the above situations can be avoided if you have a duplicate key on hand, preferably one that is strategically hidden on the vehicle itself. (In an area you only know about, of course, such as underneath the carriage.) A professional auto locksmith can duplicate a key for you efficiently, and is often more affordable than a dealership. Even key fobs, and other car access devices can be duplicated. Consider giving one to a trusted friend or family member and you’ll be less likely to be stranded if your keys are locked in your car again in the future.

If you’d like more automotive security advice or are interested in other ways to improve the security of your car, contact A-1 Locksmith today or visit any of our DFW-area locations.