First: is anyone inside?
If a child or pet is locked inside, especially in Texas heat, call 911 right away. The inside of a closed car heats up fast, and 911 will send help.
Check the easy things
- Walk around the car and try every door and the trunk or hatch.
- If your car has an app (FordPass, MyChevrolet, Toyota app and others), it may be able to unlock the doors remotely.
- If someone has a spare key, see if they can bring it faster than help can arrive.
- Check if your insurance or roadside plan includes lockout service.
What not to do
Coat hangers, slim jims from the internet and wedges can scratch paint, tear weatherstripping, damage the window regulator or the wiring and side-airbag parts inside modern doors. The repair usually costs more than a professional lockout.
How a locksmith opens your car
A professional uses purpose-made tools, such as an air wedge to create a small gap and a long-reach tool to press the unlock button or pull the handle. On many cars, a lock pick designed for that specific lock can open the door the same way a key would. Done properly, there's no damage to the paint, glass or seals.
Before opening the car, a reputable locksmith will ask for your ID, and once it's open, proof that the car is yours, such as the registration or insurance card.
If the keys aren't in the car
If you've actually lost the keys, a lockout isn't enough. A mobile locksmith can open the car, then cut and program a new key on the spot for most makes and models, so you don't need a tow to the dealer.
What to tell the locksmith when you call
- Your exact location (cross streets, parking level or store name).
- The year, make and model of the vehicle.
- Whether the keys are inside, lost, or broken.
- Anything unusual: engine running, trunk only, dead battery.
Need a hand?
Doctor Locksmith is a mobile locksmith serving all of Dallas–Fort Worth. Call (469) 444-9993, 24/7, and we'll quote the price before we come out.
