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.  

Everyone is looking to save a little money these days.

This is why you’re seeing more, and more DIY projects emerge. If that sounds like you and you’ve been considering a car lockout kit, here are the advantages, and disadvantages to owning one.

What Is a Car Lockout Kit?

In case you aren’t familiar, a car lockout kit is for exactly what it sounds like—helping you when you’re locked out of your car. You can find car lockout kits at most major big-box retailers or online websites, and they’ll typically include a variety of items, such as trim removal tools, air wedge pumps, and fastener removers. You can often find these kits for $100 or less, which makes them seem like an affordable solution. But are they?

Pros of Car Lockout Kits

They’re affordable, and convenient, but car lockout kits also come with a few other benefits that make them appealing. These include:

• Effective: these kits usually include a wide variety of tools so you can try different reentry techniques.
• Convenient: you can use the kit immediately instead of waiting for emergency personnel or a professional locksmith. 
• Peace of mind: knowing you have a kit on hand will reduce stress, especially on long road trips.

Cons of Car Lockout Kits

What’s not to love about these kits? Well, there are some disadvantages to car lockout kits that most people don’t know about. These include:

• Damage: one of the biggest reasons to avoid a car lockout kit is the damage you could potentially do to your vehicle. You might break a window, locking mechanism or even the function of the door itself. (All of this can happen without unlocking the vehicle, too.)
• Limited: these kits don’t work on all vehicles, so it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be able to access the inside of your locked car again. Many people buy kits, don’t test them and then are frustrated that they don’t work in the moment of need.
• Safety: have you thought about where you’ll store the car lockout kit? It wouldn’t make sense to store in the vehicle, and keeping it on you is inconvenient. Another disadvantage that these kits create by their existence is the fact that criminals can buy them just like you. So, if they’re effective for you, they’re effective for them.

We hope this information helps you understand the pros, and cons of car lockout kits. If you have questions about automobile security or another security-related topic, contact the team at A-1 Locksmith today!