What to Do, Car Key Stuck in Ignition
Have you ever had your key get stuck in your car ignition cylinder? What did you do? Did you try to twist and turn the key to release it? Perhaps you pressed the key inward and turned in. Maybe you realized that no matter what you tried, nothing would work. These are just some of the ways that you might have tried or are currently trying to remove your key from your vehicle’s ignition cylinder. You might have had signs that the key would soon become stuck, but you very well might have ignored them.
Keys that are stuck are not uncommon
Many people have had to unfortunately deal with a key that is stuck in their ignition cylinder at one point or another. If you have lately been fumbling around with removing your key from the ignition, this might have indicated that a problem was lurking just around the corner. Sometimes, the situation is quite simple and all you have to do is turn the wheel from side to side while pulling on the key to release it. But other times, the issue takes a bit more to resolve.
Why Do Car Keys Become Stuck? What Should You Do?
If you know why your key became stuck, then you can prevent the situation from occurring again at some point.
There are an abundance of reasons as to why your car key may get stuck in the ignition, and fortunately, some of them are entirely preventable or easy to fix. Have a look.
- The ignition cylinder is damaged
Like most other things, the ignition cylinder will undergo wear and tear after years of use. If you insert and remove a key over and over again over several years, damage can occur. Realistically, if your key ring is heavy, it can lead to further damage. The ignition cylinder often times can’t handle the excess weight. The solution? Lose the bling, if you don’t need it!
- You attempted to use the wrong key
If you drive multiple vehicles, then this is certainly something that might happen to you. Maybe you have a Mazda 3 and your husband drives a Mazda 6. Or perhaps you have two completely different makes and models but you were tired and grabbed the wrong car key. Forcing it into the ignition cylinder can lead it to becoming stuck. Make sure you are using the appropriate key!
- The key is broken
There are different kinds of damage that can occur when it comes to your key. Maybe you broke your key while attempting to pull on it too hard when you realized it was stuck in the ignition cylinder. Suddenly, not only is your key stuck, but it is broken, too. Regardless of how it happened, a broken key is a pain to deal with, especially if it is stuck in your vehicle. The solution? Replace your key if it is broken so it doesn’t become stuck again!
Will A New Car Key Be Required?
If your key gets stuck in the ignition, you won’t need to run out and buy a brand new key – that is, unless it breaks and half of it is stuck in the ignition cylinder. Yes, you will be able to get it out through the help of an expert, but this still leaves you with a broken key. You can’t exactly glue it together and expect it to work the same – at least, this isn’t the case in most situations. This is why it is important that you do not pull forcefully on the key or try to remove it in a way that is too harsh once you realize that it is stuck. When trying to extract the car key, it is best to be firm but very gentle at the same time. This can prevent the key from breaking, which is precisely what you want.
Stop worrying about what you will do if you have realized that your car key is stuck. You have the ability to call us for affordable, 24/7 locksmith services to get you back on the road as quickly as possible. We make it a point to work fast so that our customers never have to wait for too long. We are looking forward to hearing from you. Remember, a lock and security provider in your location should be able to answer your questions. Many, like us, offer free consultations so that all information can be obtained easily without any hassle.
Hopefully this information has helped you to know what to do if your car key is stuck in the ignition. Yes, this situation can be frustrating to encounter, but it is not something that can’t be dealt with and you can minimize the damage that will occur by being cautious. Remember, don’t yank on that key. Don’t pull it too hard. Get on the phone with an auto locksmith to know exactly what to do if you still have questions!