The door shuts, the lock clicks, and there are your keys — on the seat, in the cupholder, still in the ignition. Almost every driver does it at least once. The good news: a car lockout is very fixable. The bad news: a few common “quick fixes” can turn a simple lockout into an expensive repair. Here’s what to do, and what not to do.
First: is anyone inside?
If a child, a vulnerable adult or a pet is locked inside — especially on a warm day — call 911 immediately. In Texas, the temperature inside a closed car can become dangerous within minutes, even with the windows cracked. Emergency responders come first. Then call a lockout service.
If the person inside can safely do so, ask them to unlock the door. Young children can sometimes be talked through pressing the unlock button on the door panel or key fob.
What to do
1. Take a breath and check every door
It sounds obvious, but check each door, the trunk or hatch, and the tailgate on trucks. Some cars only lock the doors you touch, and some hatches stay unlocked. Check that no window is open even a little.
2. Think about a spare key
Is there a spare at home, with a family member, or in a lockbox? If someone can bring it in less time than a service call — and you’re somewhere safe — that might be your cheapest option.
3. Check your car’s app
Many newer vehicles have a manufacturer app or connected service that can unlock the doors remotely. If you’ve set it up, now’s the time to use it.
4. Get to a safe, visible spot
At night, wait in a well-lit area or inside a nearby store or restaurant. In the summer heat, find shade and water. Keep your phone charged and with you.
5. Call a local lockout service
If none of the above works, call a roadside company that does car lockouts. In Spring, The Woodlands, Klein, Tomball, Magnolia, Conroe, Cypress, Humble, Aldine, Porter and North Houston, you can call or text LaCaze Roadside Assistance at (832) 949-4837, 24/7. Our car lockout service comes to you, and you get an upfront price before we roll.
When you call, have this ready:
- Your exact location (or text a map pin)
- The vehicle’s make, model, year and color
- Where the keys are (seat, ignition, trunk)
- Whether the engine is running
6. Have your ID ready
Any professional who unlocks a car should ask you to prove it’s yours — usually a driver’s license that matches the registration or insurance card inside. It’s a good sign, not a hassle: it protects you from someone else doing the same thing to your car.
What not to do
Don’t break a window (unless it’s a true emergency)
Breaking a window should be a last resort for a life-threatening emergency, not a convenience. Replacing a side window often costs more than a lockout service, you’ll be cleaning glass out of the car for weeks, and you’ll be driving home with plastic taped over the hole.
Don’t use a coat hanger or a slim jim
Modern car doors are full of wiring, airbag sensors, window motors and lock linkages. Pushing a hanger or thin strip of metal down inside the door can disconnect linkages, scratch the glass, tear the weather stripping and damage wires. What used to work on older cars often causes damage on newer ones.
Don’t pry the door
Screwdrivers and wedges used without the right tools and technique can bend the door frame and chip paint, leaving gaps that let in wind noise and water. Professional lockout tools are designed to open the door carefully.
Don’t leave the car running unattended for long
If you locked the keys in with the engine running, stay near the car so no one else can take advantage, and call for help right away.
Don’t pay someone who won’t give you a price
Be wary of anyone who won’t tell you what it will cost until they’re done. A trustworthy service will give you an upfront price before heading out.
Push-button start cars: special cases
With keyless entry, some cars can lock with the fob still inside — for example, if the fob battery is weak, or if the car was locked from another key. If your fob is inside a locked car, the same steps apply. Once you’re back in, replace the fob battery soon.
How to avoid the next lockout
- Make it a habit: keys in hand before the door closes.
- Keep a spare key somewhere you can reach — with a trusted neighbor or family member.
- Set up your vehicle’s app if it offers remote unlock.
- Replace your key fob battery every couple of years or at the first sign of weak range.
- Save a local lockout number in your phone so you aren’t searching for car lockout service near me in a parking lot.
Locked out right now? Call (832) 949-4837 or text us your location — we’re open 24/7.