If you’ve ever misplaced your car key or locked the keys inside your car, you know the panicked feeling that quickly sets in. The good news is that there are several relatively simple methods you can try to unlock your car door without the key. This post from your favorite automotive locksmith in Fairfax, VA will cover a few of those methods that may be able to get you out of a sticky situation:
- Shoestring: If your car door has a lock that unlocks by pulling up, you can use your shoestring to unlock it. Make a loop in the middle of your shoestring and thread it through the space where the car door meets the exterior. Once the loop is in the car, hook it around the lock and pull upwards. It’s as easy as that!
- Coat hanger: A wire coat hanger can be hard to come by if you’re locked out of your vehicle. But if you can find one, it’s a handy tool to unlock any lock. Untwist the hanger and slip it in the window through the weatherstripping. It may take some time and fiddling around, but you should eventually be able to open the door.
- Rod and screwdriver: If you have a Phillips head screwdriver and a steel rod, you can open up any car door. Simply pry open the car door using the screwdriver and stick the metal rod in the door and press the lock button. Keep in mind that this method can damage the door, so be extra careful when doing so!
- Slim Jim: A Slim Jim isn’t just a tasty treat—it’s also a useful tool for opening doors without a key! Slide the metal tool into the car door the same way you would with a coat hanger, and pull up on the locking mechanism. It’s an effective method, assuming you have such a tool lying around somewhere.
- Plastic strip: Instead of scraping up your car door using metal objects, you may be able to unlock the door using a piece of plastic. In addition to being less harsh on your paint job, plastic is easier to bend and wedge inside your car door.
- Tennis ball: Whether or not this method works is highly debated. However, it is an interesting concept! Take a tennis ball and drill a small hole into it. Then, place the tennis ball on the lock with the hole on top of the keyhole and push down. The pressure from the tennis ball should (in theory) force the car to unlock!
- Call a professional: Instead of trying all of the steps mentioned above, just call a locksmith the moment you realize you’re locked out! Calling a locksmith from the get-go can save you from a lot of frustration, and can ensure that you get on with your day as fast as possible.
Don’t trust anyone else but Artie’s Lock and Key the next time you lock yourself out of your vehicle! In addition to being a reliable automotive locksmith in Fairfax, VA, we also offer locksmith services for your home and business. Give us a call today to find out what we can do for you!
Have you been locked out of your home or car? There are plenty of interesting methods to open the door without the use of a key. However, these techniques aren’t always reliable and can sometimes damage the door or the lock. Continue reading to learn why we always recommend hiring a locksmith in Fairfax, VA instead of attempting DIY methods:
- Licensed expertise: The best part about hiring a locksmith to open your door or replace a lock is the fact that you can rest easy knowing the job will be completed correctly. Before you hire a locksmith, though, it’s a good idea to check and make sure that they are in fact licensed and qualified to handle the job.
- Fast service: Many locksmiths are available around the clock to get you out of a sticky situation. You can rest easy knowing that the locksmith will show up to your house or your vehicle as soon as possible to let you in and allow you to continue on with your life as normal.
- Enhanced security: Feeling safe in your own home after a break-in isn’t always easy—that is, unless you hire a professional locksmith to replace your lock. A locksmith can upgrade your lock with a brand-new model that helps protect you and your family from another attempted robbery.
- Avoid frustration: Using a shoestring or a coat hanger to open up a locked car door is just as frustrating as it is time consuming. Instead of trying DIY methods, just call a locksmith from the outset! We’ll take care of everything, so you can avoid getting frustrated at the situation.
Why choose Artie’s Lock and Key?
You likely feel that you have plenty of options if you need a locksmith in Fairfax, VA. While many locksmiths offer similar services, we truly believe we’re the best in the business! Here are a few reasons why our customers choose us time and time again:
- Affordable rates: One of the main reasons folks don’t immediately call a locksmith is because they think it’ll cost a fortune. That’s not the case when you choose us. We’re pleased to charge very competitive prices for all of our locksmithing services.
- Dependable service: Whether you need a locksmith to open a door or replace a lock, you want to be sure that they can handle the job. Rest easy knowing that we can tackle whatever you throw at us! All of our professionals are trained to handle any situation, regardless of the type of lock they’re dealing with.
- Fast response time: The last thing you want is to wait around for hours on end for the locksmith to show up. We guarantee that won’t be a problem when you choose Artie’s Lock and Key! Wherever you are, we can be there in no time to open your door or replace your lock.
Don’t trust anyone but Artie’s Lock and Key the next time you need a locksmith in Fairfax, VA! Give us a call today to get a quote or learn more about any of our services.
Key fobs are popular because of their convenience and security, but replacing them can be a pain. If you lose your key fob or it becomes damaged, you will have to find a way to replace it so that you can continue accessing your vehicle. Replacing your key fob can be a difficult and costly process, so it’s worth it to consider some tips and advice to make the task as easy an inexpensive as possible.
The steps you should take to replace your key fob depend on what specific issue you are experiencing. If you lost your key fob, for example, you will need to replace it and potentially invest in a lock change for your car if you’re concerned about theft. Most key fobs come with a transmitter with push button locking and unlocking for your vehicle, as well as a standard key that you can use to manually unlock your car. Replacing the fob transmitter and key usually costs between $200 and $300, though this can vary based on the particular make, model and year of your car.
If your key fob is broken, but you still have it in your possession, there’s a good chance that you will be able to avoid the cost and hassle of key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA. The first thing you should do is determine whether your key fob is really broken or if it simply has a dead battery. You can purchase a replacement battery and change it out yourself by opening your key fob. If this battery replacement doesn’t work, it’s likely there is something else wrong with your fob and you might need to get it replaced.
In some cases, your fob might still be working, but your manual key is broken or damaged. If this is the case, you can simply have a replacement key cut for you. This option can save you a significant amount of money over complete key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA. To ensure you will be able to get this service done for your particular key, you should talk to a local locksmith. They will be able to explain the necessary steps that you need to take to get your key replaced and can offer you a quote for the job. In many cases, they will be able to provide you with mobile service so you can get your replacement key made without visiting a locksmith shop.
Call for key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA
You can find out more about key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA and request service from an experienced locksmith by reaching out to Artie’s Lock and Key. We’ve been serving clients in the area for decades and we continue to deliver the best locksmith services around. Whether you are dealing with an emergency lockout or you want to update the locks at your home or business, our team has the experience and tools necessary to assist you. Give us a call today to find out more about everything we have to offer and to schedule an appointment.
Whether you are considering lock replacement or installation for your home or your business, you want to feel confident that the lock you choose is going to offer as many benefits as possible. Smart locks can provide you with increased security, greater convenience and improved property value, but there are also a lot of myths out there about these locks that might cause you to hesitate on a smart lock purchase. Understanding these myths and the realities of smart lock installation in Fairfax, VA can help you feel more confident when you decide to purchase a smart lock:
- Smart locks are difficult to use: People who aren’t technologically inclined might feel intimidated by smart locks, but these locks are designed to be user-friendly and very intuitive. With a basic tutorial from a locksmith, you will probably be able to operate your smart lock without any problems. There are also plenty of online resources that you can use to help you learn how to get the most out of your smart lock.
- Smart locks don’t work for older homes: If you have an older home, you might be under the impression that a smart lock simply won’t work for you, but you can actually benefit from this kind of technology for your older home. Smart locks are compatible with a wide variety of different types of networks and can be integrated into other smart home systems. This makes them versatile enough to be used in virtually any home, whether your home is brand new or decades old.
- Wiring for smart locks is complicated: A lot of people think that smart locks have to be wired into their home’s electricity system, but most smart locks are battery operated, meaning that no additional wiring is required. This makes smart lock installation in Fairfax, VA easy and convenient so you don’t have to worry about a complicated electrical project. And because smart locks aren’t wired into your electrical system, you don’t have to worry about the lock shutting down if you lose power.
- Mechanical locks and keys are a safer option: Some people believe that mechanical locks and keys are safer and more secure than smart locks, but the reality is that smart locks are one of the safest options on the market. You can feel confident in your home’s security when you invest in this kind of locking system over mechanical locks and keys.
- Smart locks are unattractive: One of the concerns that people have when they’re thinking about investing in smart locks is that their locks will detract from the aesthetic appeal of their homes. While some smart locks do appear bulky, modern smart locks offer the perfect balance of functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Learn more about smart lock installation in Fairfax, VA
At Artie’s Lock and Key, we know that there is a lot of misinformation out there about smart locks, and we are here to answer all of your important questions. We are proud to provide comprehensive mobile locksmithing services, including smart lock installation in Fairfax, VA. You can learn more about everything that we have to offer and request a consultation and quote for our products and services by giving our team a call today.
Is it time to change your front door lock? Perhaps you’ve recently purchased a new home. Maybe the lock is no longer working properly. You might be wondering if you should increase the security level of your front door. Whatever the reason, it’s important to get input from a residential locksmith in Fairfax, VA.
As your trusted mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA, we offer the following tips for front door lock replacement. For more information, feel free to contact our team.
Don’t Skip the Deadbolt
As you weigh your options for front door locks, be sure to maintain basic security. While many options are available, a dead bolt is a staple that should not be skipped. Every front door should have at least one deadbolt. This is the most important lock to include on your front door.
Determine Desired Security
What level of security do you want to achieve with your front door lock? A residential locksmith in Fairfax, VA can provide a wide variety of solutions. You must determine what type of security you want and need for your environment. Perhaps a simple deadbolt and doorknob lock will be enough. Or, you may want a high-tech solution with smart capabilities to be able to secure your home from anywhere in the world.
Consider Daily Use
How will you be using the front door lock? This should guide your lock selection. Do you need something that multiple people can easily access? How often will you need to lock and unlock the door? How simple does the mechanism need to be for those who will be using it? All of these factors of daily use must be considered in order to choose the best lock for your setting.
Choose Quality
You may be tempted to simply choose a lock for its brand, but don’t do this. Even if the brand offers quality locks, a particular lock might not be right for your needs. Look for high-quality options that will provide the level of security you desire. A knowledgeable mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA can be very helpful in determining which solution is best for your front door.
Review Repairs
Do you need to replace the lock on your front door, or are repairs a viable option? You might be surprised what a residential locksmith in Fairfax, VA can do with an old lock. You may be able to make repairs rather than replace the entire lock. Rekeying is another option that you shouldn’t overlook. If the goal is to change the lock to prevent those with keys from accessing it, you can simply rekey the current lock rather than buy a new one.
Unlock More Secrets
If you need a new front door lock, contact the experts at Artie’s Lock and Key. We are a premier residential locksmith in Fairfax, VA, offering a full range of locksmith services. Contact our team to purchase a new lock, schedule a repair or arrange for rekeying or installation. We are ready to handle any job, big or small.
