Locked Keys in the Car? Here’s What to Do (and What NOT to Do) to Avoid Damage

It happens fast. You step out to pump gas, grab a quick coffee, load groceries, or buckle a child into a car seat. The door clicks shut—and you realize your keys are still inside.

A lockout is one of the most frustrating (and common) roadside problems because it feels so preventable… and yet it happens to everyone. The biggest mistake people make after locking their keys in the car isn’t the lockout itself—it’s what they do next in a panic. Breaking a window, prying a door, or using improvised tools can cause hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in damage, often far more than the cost of professional help.

At Darrah’s Towing, we’ve been a leader in towing and roadside help for years. We’ve responded to countless lockouts and we’ve also seen the aftermath when someone tried a “quick fix” that turned into a broken window, bent door frame, ruined weather stripping, or damaged electronics. This guide will walk you through exactly what to do—and what not to do—to protect your vehicle and get back inside with minimal stress.

First: Take 10 Seconds to Confirm the Situation

Before you try anything, slow down and check:

• Are the keys visibly on the seat, in the cupholder, or in the trunk?

• Is any door actually unlocked?

• Is a rear hatch partially latched?

• Do you have a spare key accessible (home, friend, family member)?

• Is a child or pet inside the vehicle?

This first step matters because the “right move” depends on whether the situation is inconvenient… or urgent.

If a Child or Pet Is Inside: Treat It as an Emergency

If a child or pet is locked in the car, especially in warm or cold weather, act immediately.

• Call 911 if there is any sign of distress, heat risk, or if you cannot access the vehicle quickly.

• Stay with the vehicle and monitor breathing, responsiveness, and temperature.

• If the situation becomes life-threatening, emergency responders may advise breaking a window. If you must do that, the safest option is usually a side window farthest from the child—never the windshield.

Statistic: Each year, dozens of children in the U.S. die from vehicular heatstroke, and many incidents begin with a caregiver accidentally locking the car or leaving keys inside. Even mild outdoor temperatures can become dangerous inside a closed vehicle.

The takeaway: if a child or pet is trapped, speed matters more than convenience or cost.

What to Do If You’re Locked Out (Non-Emergency Checklist)

If no one is in danger, your goal is simple: get back inside without damaging the car.

Step 1: Check for the “Easiest Fix” First

Try these quick options:

• Check every door, including the passenger door and rear doors.

• If you have a keyless entry app (some vehicles do), try it.

• If you’re near home, consider whether a spare key is accessible.

• If you’re with someone else, see if they can pick you up while another person retrieves a spare.

Step 2: Look at Your Key Type

Your next steps depend on what kind of keys you have:

• Traditional metal key: Often simpler to resolve with professional lockout tools.

• Key fob / push-start: Lockouts can involve electronics and anti-theft features—forcing entry is more likely to cause damage.

• Keys locked in the trunk: This may require different access methods depending on the vehicle.

Step 3: Consider Location and Safety

Where you’re locked out matters:

• On a busy road or in a high-crime area: prioritize safety and call for help quickly.

• At night: don’t linger. Keep your phone charged and stay in a well-lit area.

• In extreme weather: limit exposure and get help sooner.

Step 4: Call a Professional for Lockout Help

This is where a trusted, experienced provider makes the biggest difference. A proper lockout service uses the right tools and technique to access the vehicle without damaging door seals, paint, windows, or internal mechanisms.

At Darrah’s Towing, we approach lockouts with the same professionalism we bring to towing: calm, careful, and focused on protecting your vehicle.

What NOT to Do (These “Quick Fixes” Commonly Cause Damage)

Lockouts create urgency—and urgency makes people try risky DIY methods. Here are the big ones to avoid.

1) Don’t Use a Coat Hanger or Random Wire

Older cars used to be more forgiving. Newer cars? Not so much.

A wire can:

• Damage weather stripping

• Scratch window tint

• Tear wiring inside the door

• Trigger airbags in certain door designs

• Break delicate linkage components

If you bend or break something inside the door, you can turn a simple lockout into a costly repair.

2) Don’t Pry the Door With a Screwdriver or Wedge From Your Garage

Prying can:

• Bend the door frame

• Chip paint (leading to rust later)

• Create wind noise and leaks

• Ruin the door’s seal so it never closes the same again

Even a small bend can cause long-term problems—water intrusion, road noise, and uneven closing that worsens over time.

3) Don’t Break a Window Unless It’s a True Emergency

Breaking glass can be dangerous and expensive:

• Flying glass can injure you or others

• Cleanup is difficult and time-consuming

• Side windows and quarter windows can be expensive to replace

• Modern vehicles may require recalibration or repair of sensors and trim

In a non-emergency situation, breaking a window is almost never worth it.

4) Don’t Spam the Lock Button on Your Key Fob

If your keys are inside and you’re pressing buttons through the glass (yes, people do this), you can:

• Drain the fob battery

• Confuse lock/unlock cycles in some vehicles

• Trigger alarm cycles that create more stress and attention

It usually doesn’t help and can make the situation more frustrating.

5) Don’t Trust “One Weird Trick” Videos

Online hacks often skip:

• Vehicle-specific differences

• Anti-theft systems

• The risk of cosmetic and mechanical damage

• The fact that modern doors are designed to resist manipulation

What “worked” on one older vehicle can be disastrous on another.

The Hidden Risk: Modern Cars Are More Complex Than Ever

Many lockout problems are more complicated now because cars have:

• Tighter seals

• Integrated side airbags

• Sensitive electronics in the door

• Alarm systems and immobilizers

• Frameless windows on some models

• Advanced locking mechanisms

This is exactly why professional lockout tools and experience matter. The goal isn’t just entry—it’s entry without damage.

A Real Testimony From a Driver We Helped

Here’s what one customer shared after a lockout call:

“I was seconds away from trying to pry the door open because I was so frustrated. I called Darrah’s Towing instead, and I’m glad I did. They showed up, got the door open quickly, and nothing was damaged. The whole thing was stress-free, and they treated me with respect the entire time.”

That’s the experience we believe every driver should have—especially when they’re already having a rough day.

How Darrah’s Towing Handles Lockouts the Right Way

Lockout service should be:

• Careful

• Efficient

• Vehicle-aware

• Focused on prevention of damage

At Darrah’s Towing, we treat your vehicle like it’s our own. Years of experience matters in towing and lockouts because the best operators aren’t just strong—they’re precise. We know how to approach different makes and models, different lock systems, and different scenarios without turning a lockout into a repair bill.

That’s one reason Darrah’s Towing has remained a leader in towing for years: we prioritize the safest path, not the fastest shortcut.

Prevention Tips: How to Avoid Future Lockouts

Lockouts happen, but you can reduce the chance with a few habits:

1. Make a “keys check” routineKeys in hand before closing the door—every time.

2. Keep a spare key planA trusted family member, a locked home key box, or a safe storage solution can save you.

3. Replace weak key fob batteriesA dying fob battery can cause weird behavior and mis-locks.

4. Don’t store keys in the trunk “just for a second”Trunk lockouts happen more often than people think.

5. Be extra cautious during stressful momentsKids, groceries, phone calls, bad weather—those are lockout triggers. Slow down.

When You Should Call for Help Immediately

Even in a non-emergency, it’s smart to call sooner rather than later if:

• You’re in an unsafe location

• It’s late or weather is severe

• Your phone battery is low

• You have no spare key option

• You’re worried about causing damage by trying anything yourself

A quick professional response can save time, stress, and costly repairs.

Need Lockout Help Right Now?

If your keys are locked inside your vehicle, don’t risk broken glass, bent doors, or scratched paint trying to force entry. Let an experienced team handle it safely.

Darrah’s Towing has been a trusted leader in towing for years, and we bring that same professionalism to roadside lockout situations—because your safety and your vehicle matter.

For free quote please reach out to us at https://www.darrahstowing.com/