Help Center
Locked Out of Your Car in Durham? What to Do
Keys inside the car, a dead fob, or a door that will not open? Here is what to do, what to avoid, and what to have ready when you call a locksmith in Durham, NC.
What to do when you are locked out of your car
Being locked out is stressful, but it is usually a quick fix once the right person arrives. The steps below keep you safe and keep your car undamaged.
If a child, a pet or anyone else is locked inside the car, or the car is in a dangerous spot, call 911 first. Everything else can wait.
Do these things first
- Move to a safe spot away from traffic and keep your phone with you.
- Check every door and the trunk. Sometimes one is not locked.
- Look for a spare key, or someone who can bring one. Many cars also have a hidden key blade inside the key fob.
- Check whether your car maker app, insurance or roadside assistance includes lockout help.
- If none of that works, call a locksmith. Have your location, your car year, make and model, and whether the keys are inside ready.
What not to do
Common shortcuts that turn a small problem into a bigger one.
Do not force the door or window
Prying a door or wedging a window can bend the frame, tear the weather seal and break the glass.
Skip the coat hanger
A hanger scratches paint and can snag wiring and linkage inside the door. It rarely works on newer cars.
Do not break a window
It costs more to fix than the lockout itself, and it leaves the car open to weather and theft.
Do not wait out extreme weather
If it is very hot or cold, or anyone is in distress, call 911 or get somewhere safe rather than waiting for a locksmith.
Why people get locked out
These are the situations we are called to most often:
- The keys were left in the ignition or inside the car.
- The key fob battery died and the doors will not unlock.
- The keys are in a locked trunk.
- A power lock or door lock stopped working.
- The key broke off in the door lock.
Our car lockout service opens most cars without damage. If the key is lost, see what to do when you lose all your car keys.
Car lockout help by town
We come to you in Durham, Chapel Hill and nearby Wake County. Find your town:
Car Lockout Questions
Will unlocking my car damage it?
The goal is to get in without damage, and a locksmith uses tools made for the job, not force. If you want to know what to expect for your car, ask when you call.
What does the locksmith need from me?
Your location, your car year, make and model, and whether the keys are inside. A legitimate locksmith will also ask for ID and proof that the car is yours.
Can you unlock any car?
We can open most makes and models. Call (919) 769-3432 with your year, make and model and we will tell you honestly if there is anything unusual about it.
My key fob stopped working. Is that a lockout?
It might be a dead battery. Try the hidden key blade in the fob and the door key slot. If the car still will not open, call us.
How much will it cost?
The price depends on the job, your vehicle or lock, and where you are. Call (919) 769-3432, tell us what is going on, and you will hear the price before we start work.
What are your hours?
We work 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, seven days a week.
Do you serve my town?
Durham Locksmith serves Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Morrisville, Research Triangle Park, Cary and Apex, plus Knightdale, Wake Forest, Fuquay-Varina, Clayton, Zebulon and Garner in NC.
Locked Out in Durham?
Call Durham Locksmith, tell us where you are and which car, and get a price and an arrival window before we head out.
(919) 769-3432