It’s amazing how dependent we are on simple everyday items like keys. When we lock our keys in the car, misplace them, lose them, or have them stolen, it’s an incredibly frustrating and worrying experience. Some of the keys we commonly use daily include car keys. When a person locks their car keys inside their car, it is called a car lockout. According to
denver locksmith specialists, figures from the American Automobile Association (AAA) show over 4 million car lockouts annually. In other words, over 4 million people lock their keys inside their cars annually. So the next time it happens to you, take some solace in the fact that you are not the first person this has happened to, and you certainly won’t be the last.
Reasons Why People Lock Themselves Out of Their Car
Force of Habit
As you may have guessed, there are several reasons people lock themselves out of their car. The first and most common reason is the force of habit.
Many of us are creatures of habit, and it becomes almost second nature for us to keep our keys in the same place every time. For example, most men get into the habit of keeping their keys in their pockets, and most women keep their keys inside their purses or handbag.
Keeping our keys in the same place is a subconscious habit that we develop to stop ourselves from losing or misplacing our keys. However, somewhat ironically, this habit can have the opposite effect and result in us locking our keys inside the car.
Once we get into the habit of keeping our keys in the same place, it becomes easy to automatically assume they are in that place even though they are not. For example, when you are in a hurry or experiencing stress, it is easy to forget to pick up your keys and put them where you usually put them.
Force of habit makes you assume you already have the keys on your person when, in fact, they are still in the ignition. Force of habit is perhaps the most common underlying reason people lock themselves out of their car.
The Keyless Car
There are two sides to every coin, and every advantage will have a corresponding disadvantage. This is undoubtedly the case with keyless cars. Keyless cars were initially designed for convenience and as an anti-theft measure. However, they are also a significant reason people lock their keys inside their cars.
When you have a keyless car, you don’t have to worry about putting the key into, or taking the key out of, the ignition. As a result, drivers of keyless cars will often place their keys somewhere in the car and forget to take their keys with them when they exit the car.
Misplaced and Forgotten Keys
Keys are an everyday object that, because we see them so often, become hardly noticeable and easily overlooked. In turn, it is easy to misplace, lose, forget your keys, or leave them in the car.
To prevent forgetting or losing your keys, attaching them to a colorful key ring or anything that is out of the ordinary and catches your attention is a good idea.
Being in a Hurry
In the modern world, there is never enough time to do what we want, and we always seem to be in a hurry. Demands on our time and tight schedules seem commonplace, and as a result, we often find ourselves in a hurry. Rushing can be stressful and cause you to make mistakes and forget things.
One of the most commonly forgotten objects is keys when people are in a hurry. We are so used to seeing them that they often go unnoticed. We often only register the presence of keys subconsciously, which makes keys easy to lose or leave behind when we are in a hurry.
Reasons Why Keys May Fail To Work And Need To Be Replaced
Damaged Keys
Damage is one of the leading reasons for having to replace automotive keys. Keys are subject to wear and tear and, if damaged, may fail to function correctly. You may be unable to lock or unlock your car doors or start the car because the key does not fit properly in the ignition lock.
If your car keys get damaged and can no longer perform their normal function, you will need to get new keys cut by a professional locksmith.
Nowadays, most car key sets include a transponder. The transponder is a small device that transmits a secure signal allowing the engine to start when the key is inserted into the ignition.
The transponder includes a small chip that can be damaged, causing the transponder not to work. If the transponder stops working, this renders your car keys inoperative, and for them to work again, the transponder will have to be reconfigured.
Missing or Stolen Keys
The problem with missing or stolen keys is that it leaves your car vulnerable to theft. Lost keys should be replaced immediately by a locksmith, who can cut you a new key immediately.
However, while a new key may help with the immediate circumstances, it does not solve the problem of your car’s vulnerability to theft. Maintaining your
car’s safety and security will require purchasing and installing a new ignition lock cylinder and keys.
Once the new ignition lock cylinder is installed, it is a good idea to have a spare set of keys cut by a professional locksmith. To increase security further, it is also a good idea to ensure your key set includes a transponder.
The Advantages of Choosing a Professional Locksmith
There are many reasons people choose professional locksmiths, including:
- A professional locksmith can re-key the lock, replacing the old lock pins with new ones.
- Locksmiths can cut you new keys on the spot.
- A locksmith can open a lock quickly without causing any damage to the lock.
- An experienced locksmith can repair a damaged lock.
- Qualified locksmiths can quickly install a new lock.
- Professional locksmiths have the necessary experience and equipment.
- Locksmiths are trustworthy as their job depends on it.
Conclusion
Getting locked out of your car can be problematic, frustrating, and even dangerous. If you get locked out of your car, contact a professional locksmith with the necessary tools and experience to unlock your doors and make you new keys, which will have you hitting the road in no time.