Locking your keys in your car happens to experienced drivers too. It is one of those situations where stress makes the moment feel worse than it is. Car lockout service in Ottawa is available around the clock, and in most cases the problem is resolved quickly and without damage to the vehicle.
Do Not Try to Break In Yourself
The instinct to grab a coat hanger or wedge something into the door frame is understandable. Modern vehicles, however, are much harder to open this way than older ones, and the risk of scratching the paint, bending the weatherstripping, or triggering the alarm is real. Some newer vehicles have sensors in the door frame that detect pressure and can lock down the system further.
Call a professional instead. The cost of a lockout service call is far less than the cost of repairing damage from a DIY attempt.
How Car Lockout Service Works
A technician arrives with tools designed to open specific vehicle makes and models without damage. The tools vary depending on whether the vehicle has a mechanical lock, an electronic lock, or a keyless entry system. In most cases the door is opened in under 10 minutes. The technician confirms the keys are inside before closing the door.
Ontario Towing provides lockout service across Ottawa and the surrounding area. Call (613) 619-4545 and give the dispatcher your exact location, the make and model of the vehicle, and whether the car is running. A running vehicle with keys locked inside is treated as a priority call, particularly in summer heat or winter cold.
What Happens When Keys Are Inside a Running Car
A running vehicle locked from the inside is an urgent situation. In summer, heat builds up fast in the cabin. In winter, a running vehicle in an enclosed space creates carbon monoxide risk. If a child or pet is inside a locked running vehicle, call 911 first. Ottawa police and fire response to this type of call is fast. Once the scene is safe, call Ontario Towing if the vehicle needs to be assessed or moved.
Spare Keys and How to Store Them
The best way to avoid a lockout is to have a spare key and keep it somewhere accessible. Options include leaving a spare with a family member, storing a magnetic key box in a hidden location on the exterior of the vehicle, or using a remote unlock app if the vehicle and subscription support it. Some newer vehicles with connected car apps allow remote unlocking from a phone, but this depends on the subscription being active and the app functioning correctly.
Common Lockout Locations in Ottawa
Ontario Towing handles lockout calls from every part of the city. Common locations include the Rideau Centre parking garage, the Ottawa International Airport parkade, office parking lots along Carling Avenue and Baseline Road, grocery store parking lots throughout Barrhaven, Kanata, and Orleans, and residential driveways where the remote fob battery has died in cold weather. If you are not certain of your exact address, describe the nearest cross street or landmark and the dispatcher will locate you.