What to Do When Your Vehicle Key is Stuck
Getting your key stuck in your vehicle ignition can be an undoubtedly stressful occurrence. Sometimes this is the results of a minor and fleeting issue, while other times, you may find yourself in need of professional assistance in order to alleviate the problem. If you are unsure what you are supposed to do in the event you are unable to extract your vehicle key from the ignition, do not worry. If you keep reading, you will learn some things you can try if your key is ever stuck in the ignition and what to do if you are ultimately unable to extract your vehicle key yourself.
Move Your Vehicle’s Steering Wheel Back and Forth
After you have parked your vehicle and have realized that your vehicle key is stuck, you will want to do a few simple things. First, make sure your vehicle is put in park and that the emergency brake has been pulled. Most vehicles will not allow the key to be extracted if the vehicle is not properly put in park.
Once you have checked the car is properly parked, you will want to then grab the wheel and twist it back and forth a few times. While you are rotating the wheel, gently try and extract your vehicle key. If you wiggle the key back and forth while you are twisting the wheel at the same time, this is usually enough action to free the key. These particular movements help release the locking mechanism that helps keep the key in place when the car is in motion. Sometimes, this mechanism stays on because the vehicle is confused and may think that the car is still in motion. You can release the safety lock on the key with these actions and most of the time, your key will release.
Do Not Attempt to Yank Out Your Key
It is important to note that you should never try to use any kind of force to try an extract a key that refuses to budge. This could easily cause damage to your vehicle’s ignition cylinder, key, or surrounding structures in your vehicle. You could end up breaking the key in half inside the cylinder. This could result in an even more troublesome or expensive repair, so refrain from trying to use force to get the key out of the cylinder. If surrounding structures near your steering wheel and inside the paneling are damaged, you may be looking at several expensive replacements and repairs. Most of the time, if a key must be extracted by a professional, it can be done so at a reasonable cost and relatively quickly. It is important to minimize any possible damage that may make the original problem worse. It is best to gently, rather than forcefully, try to extract your key. If it does not come out within a few tries of turning the steering wheel, then it is possible that there may be a larger issue or jam that will need to be taken care of by a trained professional who knows what they are doing.
Potential Problems
The Ignition Cylinder is Out of Place or Damaged
There are a couple of reasons why your key may be stuck in the ignition cylinder. First of all, the ignition cylinder itself may be broken or damaged. If the cylinder has slipped or moved out of place for some reason, this can cause it to malfunction and keep the key inside the cylinder. Ignition cylinders can also wear down over time, so it is possible that damage of some kind may be preventing the cylinder from releasing the key.
The Key has Bent or Broken Inside of the Cylinder
The other problem may be with your key itself. It is possible that your vehicle key may have bent in some prior to being inserted into the vehicle lock and you may not have noticed. Later, when you went to extract it, it could be stuck in the cylinder due to being bent. A slight bend in the key may allow you to insert the key in the ignition and start the car, but may make it impossible for the key to come back out the other direction and release.
Request Help from a Mobile Locksmith
If you have attempted to extract your vehicle key yourself and are still having no luck, it is time to call a mobile locksmith. Professional mobile locksmiths usually offer their services 24-hours a day. As their name implies, mobile locksmiths can travel to a customer’s location in order to assist them on-site with lock changes, lockouts, repairs, and other services. Calling a mobile locksmith will be the fastest and most efficient way to get your key out of the ignition cylinder and get back on with your life. Some may think to call a tow truck in order to take their car into a repairman or dealership. However, this is not the most cost-effective choice and will end up costing you a lot more time, as well. Work with a mobile locksmith in order to get direct and professional help right where you need it.