If you’ve ever locked your keys inside the car, you know it’s not a great feeling. Just as the car door slams shut and locks, realization kicks in, your stomach drops, and you see the key dangling from the ignition or the fob lying on a seat. To make it worse, it’s likely when it’s raining, 20 degrees outside or you are already late for school pickup.
Thanks to fobs and keyless entry apps, locking the keys inside a car should happen far less often than in the past. But it still happens more than you think. AAA Northeast reported that 225,000 members locked themselves out of their cars in 2023.
Today, the retrieval often requires more than a coat hanger and metal rod.
“The newer the car, generally the harder it is to get into,” according to AAA’s Car Doctor John Paul, who is senior traffic safety manager for AAA Northeast.
Here’s what to do if you lock your keys in your car.
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Download Now!Not Your Mother’s Car Keys
Car keys have evolved over the decades from switches that controlled the car’s electrical circuit to keyless fobs with chips that exchange radio signals with vehicles to open the doors. By 2019, 91% of vehicles had keyless ignitions as standard or optional equipment, according to Edmunds. Some manufacturers also have apps that allow drivers to lock, unlock and start their cars with their phones. Phone apps are extremely handy but must be set up ahead of time and could require a subscription. Such systems are more convenient because people don’t have to remove keys from their pockets or purses.
While it is rare for a car to lock when the fob is inside, it can happen if the fob battery is depleted, the key fob is out of sync with the car or the car battery is dead. If you have a second fob with a hidden key, you are in luck. Often the keyhole is under a door handle.
In the case of ignition keys, if someone is distracted or their hands are full, it is easy to see how the key gets left behind.
“The reality is, it is just a change in habits,” noted Paul. “You add one more thing to your routine, and suddenly, you left your keys on the seat, because you were carrying a pie or an extra bag.”
Check Every Door
But before full-blown panic sets in, examine the car, because it’s possible only the driver’s door is locked, advised Paul.
“Try all the doors, even the hatch,” he said. “You may find that with an SUV, the hatch is unlocked. And while it’s awkward to crawl over the seats, it’s better than being outside in the rain.”
Whether the car is occupied determines what happens next. If a child or animal is locked inside the car, call the police. Officers will likely arrive more quickly than roadside service and will get into the car the most expedient way.
Don’t Forget the Keys – or AAA
Of course, before you consider breaking a window, you can call or request AAA Roadside Assistance online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for help getting into your vehicle.
The best way to avoid forgetting your keys is preparation. Always try to keep the key or fob in the same place and attach it to a brightly colored lanyard or keychain, so you can see it if you put it down. Try to keep a spare key with you.
“Develop a routine where you always have your keys in your hand,” Paul added.
AAA Roadside Assistance can be reached online, by phone or through the AAA Mobile app.
Have you ever locked your keys inside the car? Tell us your story in the comments below.
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I locked my keys in the car with my dog on a hot summer day at the beach. Luckily there had been an incident there just prior and some detectives were able to use their kit to pry the door open. No damage to my vehicle and my dog was ok. If they hadn’t been there I would have broken the window because AAA was taking too long.
I keep the key FOB for my 2006 Prius in a pouch with my wallet and I never touch it. When I park the car, I push a button by the door handle to lock all the doors. When I come back to the car and grab the door handle, the door automatically unlocks. If for any reason, I leave the key FOB in the car, the doors won’t lock.
Many years ago, I did leave the key in a rental car. It was a small, cheap Chevy – I forget the model. The doors were so cheaply made, I was able to grab the edge of a front door and temporarily bend the door enough to unlock it. The door went back to its original shape and I was good to go.
I just use a key chain that attaches to the belt loop of my trousers. If I forget myself and try to get out of the car without removing the key a little tug on my belt reminds me to take the key.
Keys have chips that are required to keep the car running but you can usually get a version of the key cut that has no chip. I hide a chip-less key somewhere on the exterior that I can get to (in the gas filling door if it’s not locked from inside or with a little box with a magnet on it somewhere)–if someone finds it they can get in but they can’t drive the car away.
fob is never defined
Well, it does describe what they are here, below “Not Your Mother’s Car Keys”:
“…keyless fobs with chips that exchange radio signals with vehicles to open the doors.” These are square remotes.
Thank heavens it wasn’t a rainy day nor an extreme temperature. I was leaving Petsmart where my puppy was taking an obedience class. I put her in her carseat, strapped her in and had left my keys on the seat in front of her. Went to put my walker in the trunk and found that it was locked. Tried all doors — locked! My poor puppy was locked in the car and I was panicked. Returned to Petsmart where the nice people called the police and brought out some water for me and for my puppy and waited with me until the Suffolk County PD came to rescue me. My puppy never realized what a bad situation she was in and got out of her seat and waited for me to get her (or maybe she thought she could drive my car as she moved herself, with tail wagging, to that side of my car. Of course it was a happy ending.
With cars that have key fobs, if you only use the FOB to open and lock the car, chances are high they will remain in your hand!
I have a Nissan Sentry. Once I left the key fob in the car. I locked the car via the door lock and a warning sound came on. Also the doors became unlocked so I figure that I cannot lock the car if the key fob is in the car. I usually put the fob in my coat or pants pocket because the house keys are on the same ring.
I was out shopping and had to use restroom I put my keys on top of toilet and flush. Just happened to be a super flush toilet and keys went bye bye. I went and told manager what happened and was told that the keys were down the sewer and not reachable. I told him that the toilet would probably overflow he said no it will be okay. I had to have someone go home and get my other set of keys. Two days later I received a call that they have my keys, and sure enough the toilet did overflow. Housekeeping disinfected my keys and I went to the dealership to have battery replaced. I double check where my keys are always now I keep them in my pocket.
Well that was a pretty shitty thing that happened!!!!!! Glad you got your keys back !!!
I locked my 3 year old granddaughter in the car. I’d never used the remote start because it didn’t consistently work. But it was a warm day and we were on our way to pick up big sister from school. It was customary for me to let the little one pretend she was driving before we left. I sat in passenger side front while she pretended. As soon as I got out and shut my door, all the doors locked and the car shut off.
I tried not to panic, checking each door and the way back. All locked.
I was not at my home and had no access to spare key fob. My mind was racing but I tried to convey calmness.
First I told my granddaughter to press the button on the driver door and then realized how many there were and how confusing that would be. Little one started to cry as I calmed her through the window. Suddenly I realized the keys are in the console and told my granddaughter to push the button. Of course she knew which one because of the many times she played with my keys to make the car beep. Crisis averted. I’m much more aware of keeping my keys in me, will probably never use the remote again and occasionally my granddaughter will remind me not to lock her in the car when we’re going somewhere.
Drove my Hyundai Elantra to parking garage in the city. Handed key to attendant after I opened the trunk. He threw key into interior of car and closed door. I got my stuff out of the trunk and closed trunk. Car is now locked and wife’s key is 2 hours away with no way to get to it. Called dealer and they were of no help at all. Finally AAA got my car open. Now I have a spare key that I carry on my person no matter what.
I’ve always had at least a spare door key in my wallet. Even had a lighter plastic one years ago. Note to those who remote start, put key in ignition and proceed to brush off snow or leave the car running when making a stop. Some cars, my Toyotas (yes owned several) lock after about 5-7 minutes. That was not explained by dealership. I don’t leave car running when going into coffee shop, etc., but years ago as I was clearing snow off the car, I heard “Click…Click”. The doors locked. Luckily I had my spare. Also I was outside house so I could have gotten key there. Please have car keys separate from house keys. I also leave door ajar, not closed when clearing snow.
I’ve wear a lanyard for keys, I attach car keys before exiting my car. Hope this helps.
BTW – I do these things because yes, early on I did lock myself out and lost car keys so I began doing what I’ve suggested. Old saying, “Been there, done that.”
I just leave my key fob in my pants pocket, so I can never leave it in the car. If you don’t have a pocket, you can apparently unlock your car with your Apple watch. You will probably bebwearing it at the time.
If you have a Galaxy watch, you are out of luck.
Inside the fob is a ‘valet’ key. Make a copy and hot glue a rare-earth super magnet to the key. (Those little magnetic key boxes are not strong enough to trust over time.)
I’ve wrapped a toilet paper tube with layers of aluminum foil to create a Faraday box which prevents radio transmission and allows me to lock the car with my fob hidden inside. I never carry my fob with me. Between kayaking and scuba, I have dropped my keys in the ocean a number of times. No more I have a valet key on the key ring I carry and another on a magnet secluded beneath the vehicle in case I lock this key ring in the car (I know who I am.).
I do the same with my wife’s car. Instead of carrying two bulky fobs and risk being cloned by car thieves in a mall parking lot, I go old school with manual keys. Replacing a lost or destroyed fob can cost hundreds of dollars.
There are no sad stories or weary explanations needed now. It’s been said, “Your lack of forethought and planning does not constitute my emergency.” Save yourself grief and hundreds of dollars waiting for AAA or a locksmith or your unhappy spouse. Get some actual key copies today.
If I want to take a spare key FOB with me, I just wrap it in aluminum foil so my car won’t know about it.
The toilet paper/tube is unnecessary.
I tossed my bag of heavy books in the car and shut the door. Immediately I heard the sound of all the doors locking and realized that my key fob was hit hard by the books which locked all my doors, even the trunk. I had to wait 40 min. for AAA to arrive. Lesson learned.
Happened once or twice to me. Fortunately I was able to walk home to get a spare key.
The article should have mentioned the option to hide a spare key on the vehicle. Obviously that key wouldn’t be a fob.
Cars which still have traditional locks just require a FLAT key. Flat keys can be hidden more easily.
There are small magnetic key boxes or similar items on can buy. I recommend that in addition to using a magnetic key
holder box to tape it down with electrical tape. Sometimes in car washes they spray under the car and may dislodge that
magnetic little container. It’s a (hopefully) one time installation.
Any do it yourselfer can figure out the best way it works for them.
BTW: The car alarm will go off when you open any door with that flat key, but that can be remedied quickly
by inserting the retrieved key and start the car for a second.
So how do I add this app to unlock my car if I don’t have my fob? You do not explain how to do that or where to find the necessary instructions! “Phone apps are extremely handy but must be set up ahead of time and could require a subscription.” Why even mention this if you do not have a link where this can be setup. You are WASTING MY TIME with this! WTF!
Reading that post and you misunderstanding it took all of 10 seconds max. So much for wasting time.
The poster said nothing about an app and provided information about how OnStar can help.
If you educate yourself, OnStar is a service (annual fee) owned by GM.
They can be called from any phone line (in case cellphone is left in the locked car as well as keys) and will be able to remotely unlock the car. That is only one of the features they offer. They monitor for accidents, call help, can lead the police to stolen cars etc.etc.
I completely agree with you, Donald. I was expecting something other than call AAA or hiding a second key under the chassis, something like calling a service that could unlock the car remotely, etc. I had OnStar up until last September, when the upgraded their service and my car was not eligible for the upgrade because it’s a 2014 Chevy Cruze, and they could open my locked door remotely. This article was completely useless!
Interesting article. I never had that problem with my 1974 Mercedes Benz. You had to use the key to both lock as well as unlock the driver’s door. However, with my 2012 Chrysler 300, the fob is the thing. On one occasion, I placed my purse (where the key fob was located) in the trunk along with the groceries and slammed the trunk shut. Fortunately, I did have my iPhone and called my husband to the rescue with the second set of keys. * One thing I always do when leaving my coat somewhere say in a doctor’s waiting room or restaurant, for example, is make sure my car keys are with me, not in my coat on the slim chance someone else takes my coat by mistake and I would lose access to my car.
This also works best for me: “Develop a routine where you always have your keys in your hand.” I do the same thing when leaving the house.
One time I accidentally locked my dogs in the car, which was before they put an alarm in GM cars that if you close the door with the key still in the car the horn will sound nice and loud to let you know, and the doors would not lock until you got the keys. However, when I locked my dogs in the car years ago before these new improvements, all I did was call OnStar on my General Motors car and they unlocked the car within a minute or so. So I would suggest buy a GM car that is if you can still find one and not some boat SUV or $100,000 Cadillac.