The Truth Behind Two Myths About Being Locked Out Of Your Car
Posted on: 14 July 2015
There may come a time where you find that you have accidentally locked your keys inside your car. Without a spare set easily accessible, you will need to call someone to get you out of your dilemma. Unfortunately, there are a couple of myths regarding who to call in auto lockout situation. Here is the truth behind two auto lockout myths.
Myth 1: Police Officers And Towing Companies Can Unlock Your Car
Many years ago, it was possible for tow truck operators and police officers to unlock a car in situations where you accidentally locked your keys inside. This is not longer the case as car manufacturers have changed how locking mechanisms are designed to make a car more secure. Even the shape of the locking indicator has changed in the car to make it more difficult to use old methods involving shoelaces and coat hangers.
Now a professional needs access to specialized tools that can unlock your car without damaging it. Towing companies and police officers do not have these tools or the skills to use them correctly, which is why auto lockouts are best left to a locksmith.
Myth 2: A New Key Can Be Made With Your Car's VIN
A rumor you may have heard is that all you need is your car's vehicle identification number (VIN) to make a brand new key for your car. If this was true, there would be huge issues with car theft, since a VIN can be read from outside of a car as a way to easily identify it.
Newer cars typically have two methods for starting the vehicle: a transponder code and a physical key. Dealerships can look up this information based on a VIN, but only for a limited time frame. If you have an older car, chances are that the information has been cleared from their database. Making a new key will also require providing proof of ownership of the car with an ID and vehicle registration, with the possibility that the latter is still locked in your car.
If the car has ever had the lock changed, then the dealership will not have accurate information regarding the transponder code and key. This may have happened if you bought the car used, or needed to have your car re-keyed due to a previous burglary.
In either situation, it will be much faster and easier to have a locksmith handle your auto lockout for you. For more information, contact a professional like Suburban Lock.
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