Locked Out of Your Car? What to Do (and What Not to Do)

It happens to everyone eventually. You step out of the car, the door shuts, and your keys are sitting right there on the seat. Or maybe they’re in the ignition. Or maybe the key fob battery died and now nothing works.

Whatever the scenario, here’s how to handle a car lockout without making things worse.

First: Don’t Panic, Assess

Before you call anyone, take 60 seconds to check:

• All doors. Walk around the vehicle and try every door handle. Trunk too. Some cars leave the trunk unlocked even when doors are locked.
• Is a window cracked? Even a small opening might let you use a tool to reach the lock button. (Don’t break the window. That’s $200 to $600 to replace.)
• Do you have a spare key fob? If someone at home can bring it, that may be faster than waiting for a service call.
• Does your car have a phone app? Many 2020+ vehicles from Ford, Toyota, GM, Tesla, and others have apps that let you unlock remotely. Check your phone.

Your Options, Ranked

1. Roadside Assistance (If You Have It)

Check whether you already have roadside assistance coverage. Many people do and don’t realize it:

• Car insurance. Most policies offer roadside assistance as an add-on. Check your app or call your insurer.
• AAA membership. Classic option. They’ll send someone to unlock your car, usually within 30 to 60 minutes.
• Credit card benefits. Some Visa, Mastercard, and Amex cards include roadside assistance. Check your card benefits.
• New car warranty. Most manufacturers include complimentary roadside assistance for the first 3 to 5 years.

If you have coverage, this is often free. The downside is wait times, especially on busy days or in suburban areas.

2. Call a Locksmith

A locksmith is usually your fastest option. Here’s what to expect:

Response time: 15 to 45 minutes in the Salt Lake City metro area. At GoKey Locksmiths, we prioritize lockouts because we know you’re stuck.

The process: The technician uses specialized automotive tools (not a slim jim from a movie) to unlock your door without damaging the paint, weather stripping, or door mechanism. Modern cars require careful technique because of side airbag sensors and electronic locks.

Cost: Car lockout service in Salt Lake City typically runs $100 to $200. Higher-end vehicles or after-hours calls may cost more. Always get a firm quote on the phone before the tech arrives.

What about key fob issues? If your fob battery is dead, a locksmith can still get you in and, in many cases, program a replacement fob on the spot. Key fob replacement runs $150 to $400 depending on the vehicle make and model.

3. Call the Dealership

Dealerships can make replacement keys, but they’re the slowest and most expensive option. Expect $200 to $500 for a replacement key or fob, plus a potential tow charge if the car needs to go to the dealership. This makes sense as a last resort, not a first call.

4. Police (Limited Help)

Some police departments will still help with car lockouts, but most have stopped offering this service due to liability concerns. If you call 911, they’ll likely refer you to a locksmith. Don’t count on this option.

What NOT to Do

Don’t use a coat hanger. On older cars, this sometimes worked. On modern vehicles, you’ll damage the weather stripping, scratch the paint, or trigger the airbag wiring. The repair bill will dwarf the locksmith fee.

Don’t break a window. Unless there’s a child or pet trapped in a hot car (that’s a genuine emergency, call 911), breaking a window costs $200 to $600 to replace and leaves your car exposed until it’s fixed.

Don’t call the cheapest locksmith you find online. Locksmith scams are real. Some operations advertise $15 or $19 lockout service, then show up and charge $300+ once they have leverage. Always:

• Ask for a firm, all-inclusive quote on the phone
• Verify they’re licensed
• Check Google reviews before they arrive
• Make sure they show up in a marked vehicle with ID

Special Situations

Keys Locked in a Running Car

This happens more than you’d think, especially in winter when people warm up their cars. Call a locksmith immediately. The car will eventually run out of gas, but you don’t want to wait for that. A locksmith can get you in within minutes.

Child or Pet Locked in the Car

This is an emergency. If it’s warm outside (above 70°F), the interior temperature can reach dangerous levels within 10 minutes. Call 911 first, then break a window if the situation is urgent. In Utah, Good Samaritan laws protect people who break a car window to rescue a child or animal in danger. Use the window farthest from the child.

Broken Key in the Ignition or Door

Don’t try to extract it yourself. Pushing the broken piece deeper makes extraction harder and more expensive. A locksmith has extraction tools designed for exactly this situation. Cost is typically $75 to $150.

How to Prevent Future Car Lockouts

• Spare key in your wallet. Get a basic metal key cut (not a fob, just the physical key). Many modern cars will let you unlock the door with a physical key even if you normally use the fob. Cost: $5 to $20 at any hardware store.
• Magnetic key box. Attach one to the underside of your vehicle frame. Not the bumper (too obvious) but somewhere only you’d think to look.
• Smart habits. Always check for your keys before locking. Some people make it a rule: keys in hand before the door closes.
• Replace fob batteries proactively. Most fobs use CR2025 or CR2032 batteries. Replace them once a year, not when they die at the worst possible moment. A battery costs $3. A lockout costs $150.

GoKey Locksmiths: Fast Car Lockout Service in Salt Lake City

If you’re locked out of your vehicle anywhere in Salt Lake City, Riverton, South Jordan, Draper, Sandy, Herriman, or West Jordan, call GoKey Locksmiths at (801) 512-4658.

We respond fast, we quote honestly, and we get you back on the road without damaging your vehicle. Available 24/7, including holidays.

Matt Johnson and the GoKey team have been helping drivers in the Salt Lake City area since 2015. Call us, and we’ll take care of it.