The process of starting a car is oftentimes overlooked or taken for granted, particularly for those who have been driving their vehicles for a long time. There is a great chance that starting their car is something that they are already accustomed to doing even with their eyes closed. But this is until they encounter a specific problem with it, such as a car key that is stuck in the ignition. Rest assured that there are a number of ways on how you will be able to go about this problem.
Solution 1: Check if Your Key Is Broken
One of the primary reasons why your car key may be stuck in the ignition of your vehicle is because it is dirty or bent, or even worse, it is already weak, such that any force will render significant damage to it. This usually happens when you use a duplicate key instead of the original key that came with your car because duplicate keys are often made from materials that are not as durable as the original car keys. Thus, the first thing that you need to do is to check whether your car key is broken.
If indeed your car key is broken, you may need to leverage a special broken key extraction tool for you to get the broken piece out of your ignition. Some of the best locksmiths in Orlando suggest that rather than taking it out yourself and causing further damage to your vehicle, it is better that you call a locksmith. They are the people who are in the best position to take out the broken piece of your car key from the ignition of your vehicle because chances are, they already have experienced this type of problem before.
Solution 2: Ensure that Your Car’s Battery Is Charged
Sometimes, your car key is stuck into the ignition because your battery already has a low voltage, or worse, it already died. This is increasingly becoming a problem, particularly since more and more vehicles are now using electronic ignition systems, relying on the battery of your car to get your vehicle started. In this case, the best thing for you to do is to ensure that your car’s battery is charged by checking whether your car’s lights turn on as they should because if not, you may need to have your battery replaced.
Solution 3: Verify Whether Your Steering Wheel Is Locked
When your wheels lock up, it follows that you will also be restricted in twisting the key, making it stuck in your ignition. In this case, what you need to do is to move the steering wheel away from a position where it is putting pressure on the ignition cylinder while occasionally trying to turn the key at different positions. There is a great chance that sooner or later, you will hit a successful position that will allow you to retrieve your key. Rest assured that as soon as you feel the steering wheel unlock, you will also be able to turn the key effortlessly.
Solution 4: Check that Your Shifter is in the Park Position
Certain vehicles will restrict you from starting it unless its gear shift is set to park or neutral. This is often the case for SUVs and pick-up trucks with an automatic transmission. In this case, all you have to do is to check that your shifter is in the park or neutral position, and once you position it accordingly, you should be able to retrieve your key or start your vehicle.
Solution 5: Spray Some Lubricant Into the Lock
There is also a chance for your key to getting stuck in the ignition when the ignition lock is already worn out. In this case, what you can do is to spray some lubricant into the lock. However, this can prove to be quite tricky, particularly if the key is blocking the way.
Solution 6: Get in Touch with a Mechanic
When all else fails, the best option for you is to get in touch with a reputable and reliable mechanic who will be able to help you resolve your problem.
It can be quite inconvenient to have your car key stuck in the ignition of your vehicle. Thus, exert the extra effort to ensure that your key is in its best condition, neither bent nor dirty, because this will already go a long way in reducing the chance that you encounter this problem. Nevertheless, should you still encounter a car key stuck in your ignition, consider the solutions listed above to help you resolve this problem.
