What to Do, Car Key Stuck in Ignition

You have so many locks around you in your automobile one of them is bound to fail you at one time or another. In many instances this happens at the worst of times too. Either you can’t open your car door with a key on a freezing cold night or you break off your door key on a hot afternoon in the middle of a parking lot. one of the most frustrating experiences you can have with an auto lock is getting to your destination and then not be able to remove your key from the ignition.

This is frustrating for several reasons. One, you are afraid to leave your car and ask for help because someone else may happen by and get your car to start and run off with it. Not to mention, if you lock your door you then won’t be able to get back in your car. So, what are you supposed to do? Well we have some suggestions for you on what you can try to help extract your key out of your ignition. We will also point out a few things you should never do to get a stuck key out of your ignition.

Steps You Can Try If Your Key Is Stuck in Your Ignition

OK, here are some of the steps you can try if you are having a hard time removing your car key from the ignition. 

• The first thing you need to do is to make sure that the key is turned into the correct off position. You can do this by verifying none of the lights on your dashboard are lit. If your key is not in the off position the ignition will not release it for obvious safety reasons.
• Next jiggle the key back and forth in the ignition gently. This may be all that’s required to extract a key if some small debris got into the ignition cylinder. Never jiggle the key super-forcefully.
• There is a locking mechanism on your car’s ignition that sometimes fails to release the key like it’s supposed to when you turn your car off. When this happens get a firm grip on the steering wheel with your right hand. Next wrap your other arm behind the steering wheel and grab hold of the shift (obviously this one only applies to vehicles with the shifter on the steering column). Gently pull the shifter towards the steering wheel and wiggle the steering wheel too and see if it lets your stuck key loose.
• You can try making a hook with a coat hanger to help get your stuck key out if the first two steps did not work. Just put the hook into the open end of your key if it has one. If not try twisting the metal coat hanger so it tightens on the exposed end of the key. Pull straight back and see if your key will come out.

What Not to Do If You’re Key Is Stuck in Your Ignition

• Never wedge anything in the ignition next to your stuck key. This can damage your ignition so bad it has to be replaced. That would be a shame if you have to spend all that money on something that might have just been a simple repair for a locksmith.
• Don’t use vice grips or pliers to try and wiggle your stuck key out. This too can cause damage to your ignition that may necessitate it having to be needlessly changed. If you have to use that much force its best to try disassembling the ignition and removing the key that way.
• Speaking of disassembling your ignition, never try doing this yourself unless you really know what you’re doing. Doing it wrong may not only ruin your existing ignition but may also impact other parts of your cars ignition system as well.
• Also, you don’t want to bang on your steering column or ignition to free up a stuck key. This again can do a lot more harm than good if the impact of your hammering affects the wrong places.

What Steps Can You Take to Prevent Your Key from Getting Stuck in Your Ignition in The First Place?

• Never put a bent or broken key in your ignition. 
• Don’t try to force a key in your ignition. That only creates the possibility you will have a bigger problem. 
• Make sure the face of your keys has no burrs, big nicks or worn-down teeth before inserting your key in your ignition.
• Never insert a key that is wet into the ignition because it may cause corrosion over time. Such is the case after you drop your key in the snow or use it in a heavy rain.
• Make sure there is no residue on your key before you place it into the ignition. Gum residue, tape and other sticky substances only invite problems after placing your key in the ignition.
• Periodically check to make sure everything about your key looks good including what was mentioned above. If not then immediately replace your key.
• Have a spare key on hand always and use that if you feel your regular key looks suspect as to how it may work.

When All Else Fails Call A Locksmith

What is the surest way to get your stuck key out of your car’s ignition? That’s right if you guessed call a trained professional. Years of experience have made them experts at removing stuck keys from ignitions in the Overland Park, Kansas area. Not only will they get your key out, but most of the time they are able to do it without damaging your ignition so bad it needs to be replaced. Think of all the money and aggravation that can save you.

So, calling a skilled locksmith is always your best bet in the case of you getting your key stuck in the ignition.