Just a quick vent
- Thread starter lebron
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iheartmaytag
Well-known member
I'm so sorry you are havinga bad day.
In the scope of things $45 isn't so bad. My mother was out of town once in a brand new car and it cost her $250 to get an emergency lock smith.
In the scope of things $45 isn't so bad. My mother was out of town once in a brand new car and it cost her $250 to get an emergency lock smith.
OnStar Does The Trick
One incident involving my '07 Saturn ION convinced me that the car's standard OnStar system was worth its money. Several months ago, I went to a car wash, and the staff accidently locked the car with the keys still in the ignition. They panicked. I didn't. I pulled out my cell phone and called OnStar. Five minutes later, the staffer unlocked the doors. The car wash gave me a freebee for my next trip. OnStar is better than a locksmith any day.
One incident involving my '07 Saturn ION convinced me that the car's standard OnStar system was worth its money. Several months ago, I went to a car wash, and the staff accidently locked the car with the keys still in the ignition. They panicked. I didn't. I pulled out my cell phone and called OnStar. Five minutes later, the staffer unlocked the doors. The car wash gave me a freebee for my next trip. OnStar is better than a locksmith any day.
RUN...don't walk....to the local harware store and get spares made and hide one under the car somewhere....let me correct that...magnetic holder that attaches to underside of the car and holds the key.....yes I know idiots that actually place the holder on the ground under the car and drive away, and wonder how putting a key under the car would help them!
Been there once, never again...spares for everything!
Been there once, never again...spares for everything!
lordkenmore
Well-known member
I've generally carried a second key with me as backup just in case. Another habit I got into was ALWAYS locking from outside with the key. That way, if the car is locked, I have the key with me. (Some cars even require that the driver's door be locked from the outside with the key.)
Another solution that has worked well is driving cars that are so old, so depreciated out, that there really is no need to lock anything. On this theme, I had a teacher in junior high who owned a rusted Ford Pinto. He hated the car. One night (or so he claimed), he tried to get someone to steal it by leaving it in the Safeway parking lot with the engine running. Half an hour later or whatever, he came out to find...it was still there.
Another solution that has worked well is driving cars that are so old, so depreciated out, that there really is no need to lock anything. On this theme, I had a teacher in junior high who owned a rusted Ford Pinto. He hated the car. One night (or so he claimed), he tried to get someone to steal it by leaving it in the Safeway parking lot with the engine running. Half an hour later or whatever, he came out to find...it was still there.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
get spares made
One problem is that spares in some cases may not be something one can get from the hardware store. I've been told that many modern cars use a higher tech key that, practically, can only be sourced from higher priced sources, like the car dealer. This is primarily for the ignition--a second electronic "lock". Someone at my local Ace commented she tells people who have a problem with losing keys NOT to buy a newer car for this reason. Yes, just one more plus to my strategy of buying old, well-used!
One problem is that spares in some cases may not be something one can get from the hardware store. I've been told that many modern cars use a higher tech key that, practically, can only be sourced from higher priced sources, like the car dealer. This is primarily for the ignition--a second electronic "lock". Someone at my local Ace commented she tells people who have a problem with losing keys NOT to buy a newer car for this reason. Yes, just one more plus to my strategy of buying old, well-used!
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
Three little letters...
AAA. $70 a year for the two of us combined. Lockout service is provided at no charge, in addition to the many other services and discounts provided. And who couldn't remember the number? 1-800-AAA-HELP!
Chuck
AAA. $70 a year for the two of us combined. Lockout service is provided at no charge, in addition to the many other services and discounts provided. And who couldn't remember the number? 1-800-AAA-HELP!
Chuck
SactoTeddyBear
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2004
- Messages
- 1,302
Whenever I go places where:
I've got to give someone a Key, I take if off of my Key-Ring, because I've got a Remote Keyless Entry and Alarm System. That way, if they were to lock my Key in my Ranger, I can still get the Doors Unlocked.
Peace and Kind Regards, Steve
SactoTeddyBear0503...
I've got to give someone a Key, I take if off of my Key-Ring, because I've got a Remote Keyless Entry and Alarm System. That way, if they were to lock my Key in my Ranger, I can still get the Doors Unlocked.
Peace and Kind Regards, Steve
SactoTeddyBear0503...
If you have a car with a "KEY" with a "CHIP" in it...as all of mine do....the spare is only to unlock the vehicle...not to "START" it...for this reason, I get only a plain non rubber head key to hide...even if a thief finds it...their not getting away with my car...it won't start without the SPECIAL" key
lordkenmore
Well-known member
Yogitunes--your approach is a good one--if it works. Problem is I was told by a key cutting person that some exotic keys (like Mercedes) aren't something her store is set to copy. (I guess if you can afford a Mercedes, you can afford a fancy key, though! Although, if memory serves right, keys Honda has used recently look strange enough that key copying could be a problem.)
A real problem, though, with keys with a chip is that apparently some cars now do a chip check for even unlocking the door. Then, I could see myself being stupid enough to unlock the door with the non-chipped key and forget that I had a non-chipped key long enough to try and start the car.
A real problem, though, with keys with a chip is that apparently some cars now do a chip check for even unlocking the door. Then, I could see myself being stupid enough to unlock the door with the non-chipped key and forget that I had a non-chipped key long enough to try and start the car.
mrb627
Well-known member
Does this work?
I had someone send me an email a while back stating that they locked their keys in the car. She called her husband who carried the spare set. She set her cell on speakerphone, held it up to the drivers door. He hit the button on his remote and the doors unlocked.
I have wanted to try this to see if it works, but my car wont lock the doors if the key is detected inside so I really don't have to worry about it.
Malcolm
I had someone send me an email a while back stating that they locked their keys in the car. She called her husband who carried the spare set. She set her cell on speakerphone, held it up to the drivers door. He hit the button on his remote and the doors unlocked.
I have wanted to try this to see if it works, but my car wont lock the doors if the key is detected inside so I really don't have to worry about it.
Malcolm
bugsyjones
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2009
- Messages
- 581
Spares
I really could use at least ONE spare ignition key, but mine, of course, is a new style and I can only order one from the dealer, etc....
One thing I hate about it is that the Keyless entry is built into the key, and I'd rather it be separate, because it's bulky and gets in the way. And it sometimes doesn't work.
I would like to be able to go get a 'normal' spare from the hardware store, but you know.
~Tim
I really could use at least ONE spare ignition key, but mine, of course, is a new style and I can only order one from the dealer, etc....
One thing I hate about it is that the Keyless entry is built into the key, and I'd rather it be separate, because it's bulky and gets in the way. And it sometimes doesn't work.
I would like to be able to go get a 'normal' spare from the hardware store, but you know.
~Tim
Urban legend, about unlocking the door long distance with a cellphone....
sdlee
Well-known member
Dont feel bad or stupid, weve all been there. My last time was a cost of 70 bucks. My current car has a key pad and for the longest time I didnt use it and then one day I came close to nearly locking the keys in, fortunately I caught the door in time. Well I decided then and there that I was going to take the time to memorize the number coz no way would I want to stand there paying a locksmith to open that door while there is a key pad there on the door that I only had to memorize....sheesh THAT would be a reason to feel stupid.
One warning tho, if you lock the keys in and leave the lights on once the battery dies that keypad is just gonna laugh its ass off at you...Learned that the hard way!!!!
One warning tho, if you lock the keys in and leave the lights on once the battery dies that keypad is just gonna laugh its ass off at you...Learned that the hard way!!!!
My car has the remote keyless entry and pushbutton start. It will not lock the doors if the fob is inside the car. It has a key, but it will only open the drivers door (not unlock it, you turn the key and the door opens), and unlocks the glove compartment. Last week the battery went dead in my remote and I couldn't start the car. I found that there is an unlabeled notch inside the console. You stick the fob in there and the car will start with a dead remote battery.
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