Any hour. A person answers.
Keys locked in a running car?
If the car is in a closed garage, open the garage door and get out of the garage first. If a child or pet is inside, call 911. Then call or text us with the year, make and model, and we come straight out, any hour.
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What should I do if my keys are locked in a running car?
First, make sure nobody is breathing exhaust. If the car is in a garage, open the garage door and leave. If a child or pet is inside, call 911. Then call a locksmith with the year, make and model. Don't break a window unless someone's safety depends on it.
Safety first, then the lock
- In a garage? Open the garage door fully, keep the door into the house shut, and stay out of the garage. Exhaust contains carbon monoxide.
- Child or pet inside? Call 911 now. They can get in faster than anyone.
- Anyone else at risk? If not, the car can idle while you call us. Don't break a window.
- Call or text the year, make and model and where the car is. We give you the price and come straight out.
Why it happens in a Winnipeg winter
Remote starters are standard here, and so is this call. Common causes:
- The car locks itself after a remote start, and the fob is on the seat.
- You start the car with the key, step out to scrape the windshield, and the door is locked or locks behind you.
- A fob left inside triggers an auto-lock when the last door closes.
Next time
- Keep a spare key somewhere you can reach: a neighbour, a family member, a lockbox at home.
- Check how your remote starter handles locking. Some can be set to stay unlocked.
- If your fob is acting up in the cold, have it looked at before it strands you. Key fobs and remote starters.
Price first
You hear the price before anyone drives out. Our Price Promise.
Questions people ask
- How does this happen with a remote starter?
- Many cars lock automatically or stay locked after a remote start, and some lock if the door is shut with the fob inside. It's one of the most common winter calls in Winnipeg.
- Will the car run out of gas or overheat?
- A car can idle for a long time, but it's burning fuel, and some remote starters shut off after a set time. It's one more reason to call early rather than wait.
- Should I break a window?
- Only if someone's safety is at risk and help can't arrive in time. Otherwise a locksmith opens the car without damage, and side windows are costly and slow to replace in winter.
- Is a running car in a garage dangerous?
- Yes. Exhaust contains carbon monoxide. Open the big garage door, keep the door into the house closed, and stay out of the garage until the car is off.
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