What to Do If Your Car Keys Are Locked Inside Your Vehicle
Locking your keys inside your vehicle can happen in seconds. You close the door, realize the keys are sitting on the seat or in the ignition, and suddenly you cannot get back inside. In Fort McMurray’s climate, this can go from inconvenient to genuinely urgent very quickly. Here is exactly what to do.
Fort McMurray Locksmith is a proud member of the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, serving drivers across Wood Buffalo for over two generations.
First — Assess the Situation
- Is the engine running? — a running engine is a priority. Call immediately.
- Is anyone inside? — a child or pet locked inside is an emergency. Call 911 first, then us.
- Check all doors and the trunk — try every entry point before assuming you are completely locked out
- Check your vehicle’s app — Ford Pass, MyChevrolet, and most manufacturer apps from 2018 onward allow remote unlocking from your phone
- Spare key — does someone have a spare they can bring to you?
- Roadside assistance — CAA membership or insurance roadside coverage may include lockout service
Do Not Break the Window
Window replacement costs $150-600 depending on the vehicle. A lockout call costs significantly less — and in Fort McMurray winter, driving with a broken window until it can be replaced is miserable. The only situation where breaking a window is correct: a child or pet inside in dangerous heat or cold. Call 911 first in that situation — they are equipped for it.
Coat hangers and DIY slim-jim attempts tear weather stripping ($100-300 to replace), scratch paint and door frames, and rarely work on modern vehicles with complex door linkage. The attempt typically causes more damage than the lockout call would have cost.
Call Fort McMurray Locksmith
Call 780-588-5383 with your location, vehicle year, make, and model. We use professional non-destructive entry tools designed for modern vehicles — a controlled gap at the top corner of the door frame, a long-reach tool to access the interior handle or unlock button, and the door opens from the inside exactly as designed. No broken glass, no torn weather stripping, no scratched paint.
Most car lockouts in Fort McMurray are resolved in 10-15 minutes after arrival. See our automotive locksmith services page for the full range of what we handle.
After the Lockout — Prevent the Next One
- Get a spare key made — a spare cut and programmed while you still have the original costs a fraction of emergency replacement if all keys are lost later
- Set up your vehicle’s manufacturer app — most vehicles from 2018 onward have remote unlocking through the manufacturer’s app
- Save our number — 780-588-5383 — in your phone before you need it
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can a locksmith reach me in Fort McMurray?
Most locations within Fort McMurray city limits are on-site within 30 minutes. Call 780-588-5383 and we give you an honest arrival time before dispatching.
Will the car be damaged?
No — professional automotive locksmiths use purpose-built tools that open the door without damage. No broken windows, no bent frames, no torn weather stripping.
What if my engine is running with keys locked inside?
Call immediately — this is a priority call. Tell us the engine is running when you call so we can respond as fast as possible.
Fort McMurray Locksmith — vehicle lockout service across Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo, any time of day or night.
Call 780-588-5383 or Book a Locksmith in Fort McMurray.