Why You Should Always Have a Locksmith Handle Auto Lockouts

Before you pick up a coat hanger and start trying to open your own car door, consider what you’re actually doing. Whether you have a car with manual locks or a car with more modern, electronic locks, the linkage inside the car door is what actually causes the door to lock when you press the button. That linkage is weak and, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could turn a small charge for an auto lockout into a big repair bill.

Do You Know What’s in There?

Locking mechanisms differ by the make and model of the car. Qualified automotive locksmiths have a variety of different tools, which they select based on the type of vehicle they’re working on. Some vehicles require very specialized tools to get open and others are easier, but still require skill to open, as it’s very easy to damage the linkage when trying to open the door.

Another factor one has to keep in mind is that there’s more than linkage in the doors of some vehicles. Some vehicles are equipped with side-impact airbags. If you accidentally trigger one of those devices while fishing around in the door, you’ll be lucky if you only end up with a bill to replace the spent airbag. The force of inflation is enough to cause an injury, particularly if you have a tool in the door at the time it discharges.

How Do I Know if a Locksmith Is Qualified?

Automotive locksmiths generally advertise their services. In addition to being able to handle lockouts for most any make and model of vehicle, they also cut keys and perform other tasks that are specialized and make that known through their promotions. Some cars require specialized keys and you definitely want a qualified locksmith to handle making them for you.

In addition to the qualifications that the locksmith can legitimately boast, there’s one other thing that you have to make sure of before you call a locksmith to get you back into your locked vehicle: ethics.

Know the Rates

One of the biggest hazards when dealing with an unknown locksmith is getting an inaccurate quote and then ending up paying much more than you expected for the door opening service. You can avoid this by making sure that you work with a locksmith that advertises accurate quotes and that stands behind the price they give you on the phone. Locksmiths who don’t adhere to a strong set of business ethics might try to jack up the price when they show up, knowing that you’ll probably pay whatever they ask so you can get back into your car.

Know Who to Call in Advance

The best thing you can do is anticipate that, at some point, you’re going to lock yourself out of your car. Decide on a locksmith in advance and put their number in your phone. That way, you’ll never have to take a chance on an unknown locksmith when you’re desperate to get back in your vehicle and you’ll never be surprised by lousy service or an inflated bill.

About the Author:

Atlanta Lockmaster is a company offering Atlanta LockSmith Services across the state. It offers various services 24/7 to cater the client's locksmith need.