Not a good day today...
@teresatrotter (4073)
Jacksonville, Florida
February 11, 2018 9:09pm CST
Just when I thought yesterday was a bad day... Today was even worse. For the first time ever in my life, I locked myself out of my car. When I bought the car, they only gave me one key, and I never thought to get another one, because I never had this problem.
I had a keyless entry once, but when the car was stolen a few years back, I got the car back without the device. It was going to cost $150 to replace it, so I decided to just let it go, thought it has been an inconvenience at times.
My car only has one lock, and it is on the driver's side. I have to go to driver's side to open the car, to gain entry to any other part of the car, which is a pain sometimes.
Normally... I have my sunroof open, which would have been an easy fix. I could have reached in there, and grab the keys. But today was in the mid 80's, so I had my air conditioner on.
Tried getting an officer to help, but was told it was against the law...since a driver a few years back, got an officer to help unlock his car, then turned around and sued the state, for damaging it. Go figure... Get an officer to help, then punish him for doing it.
After that...no officer is allowed to touch a car, unless it is to break a window to save a child, or someone who is in need of medical help. So all this officer could do is stand there, and watch this other guy try to get my door open, and talk to me.
I found a nice guy who offered to help, and another who who gave him some tubing (can't think of the name, because I am so exhausted right now). The hanger the guy had, and the one the officer offered, were too flimsy to use.
He went and got a crowbar from his car, and I asked him if it would damage my car, he said no. Well... I knew it would. But I did not have any money to get it done, so I let him try.
Turns out the officer explained to me, that many manufacturers made sure that their cars can be unlocked, without the ignition being turned on, for safety reasons: such as...the car is on fire, or it begins to flood. It allows rescue of someone in distress, much easier. I had no idea...
I did tell the officer, that once by mistake...I accidently hit the down button on my driver's side window, and it operated without the ignition being on; but it only does it once. After that...you have to restart the car. I figured, maybe the manufacturer did this as well...in case someone gets trapped in the car for whatever reason; like getting submerged into water.
The downside was...even though the guy said it would not damage the car, he had to pry the door ajar, so he could get the PVC pipe (now I remember...LOL) through the door, then he spent about 20 minutes or so...until he could position it enough, to unlock the door.
Well... The car did get damaged... I knew it would. I mean... How could it not? I did not have $80 to call Pop-a-Lock. The officer was going to call someone to help me, but I left my phone in the car, and of course...have not memorized anyone's number.
Another driver had a lock opener, but left it in his wife's car, or he would have done it. Dang...I wished he was driving his wife's car today. LOL
Nevertheless... I have paint scratched off pretty badly, up and down the door; and where he used the crowbar, he dented the top of the vehicle. Plus... When you close the door, it does not line-up flat...with the frame of the door. There is a little bit of a wedge there. Sigh...
I mean... I can sand down the scraped paint, and do some touch-up to prevent it from rusting. I can even maybe use my mallet, to gently see if I can tap the door back into shape. But there is nothing I can do about the dent. Sigh again...
I gave the guy a big hug anyway... And told the officer I would hug him too...but didn't want to get arrested for assaulting an officer. He laughed.
The officer did suggest that I have another key made, and tape it to the back of my license plate. That way...I would only need to borrow a screwdriver, which most men carry one in their truck; and some officers do too. He said before he got keyless entry, him and his buddies used to do that with their cars. LOL
The store clerk at the gas station, said his dad got a magnetic metal box, that he stuck underneath his car, and kept his spare key in there.
The officer also told me that I could go on eBay, and purchase a universal keyless device, for about $15. That is what he did. He said it was easy to pair the device with his car, with the instructions he received.
Nevertheless... I need to do something, because I sure do not want to go through this again.
The day somewhat ended on a positive note, but will tell you later, since this post is getting a bit long.
5 people like this
4 responses
@snowy22315 (208748)
• United States
12 Feb 18
Oh that's sad. I have gotten locked out of the car a few times.
2 people like this

@teresatrotter (4073)
• Jacksonville, Florida
12 Feb 18
Mine only does that when the car is running, not once the ignition is shut off...
1 person likes this

@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
12 Feb 18
I locked my key in the car 3x in my lifetime. Once when McDonald's had their grand opening...had to get a Big Mac. Called my Mom which I got promptly scolded and waited for my family to come with a spare key. Then the next time was at Pearlridge Shopping Center Downtown. The security guard was making his rounds and was so nice. He said to me don't worry many people do this. I felt better for he popped the lock in a few minutes. I thanked him and he went on his way. The last time I was at a beach in the country. I saw dolphins swimming by that day which was so unusual. Then I saw a car come into the parking lot near my car. I went back to my car...it was locked with my keys dangling in my ignition. I looked around and saw the parked car was a Police Officer. Whew, for this beach is out of the beaten tract. I walked over and asked the Police Officer for help. He told me that's an easy problem to solve. He opened his trunk got out some kind of equipment and popped open my locked car. I thanked him and we both went on our way. Thank God all the times I got locked out, someone was there to help me. I think you should keep a spare in your wallet that you keep on person with you always. God help you have good luck always! Amen. Take care! Thank you God in the name of Christ. (you're welcome in advance for prayers.) 

@teresatrotter (4073)
• Jacksonville, Florida
12 Feb 18
I don't carry purses like most women do. Cops don't have those gadgets anymore, and are not allowed to help, as I mentioned, because of being sued; or my problem would have been easily solved too.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
13 Feb 18
@teresatrotter
It would have been really good, but things have changed since I had the problem and it was a long time ago...I sold my car in 1990. I wonder if your situation, is covered by your auto ins.? Good luck and God help you! Amen. Thank you God in the name of Christ. (you're welcome in advance for prayers.)
@teresatrotter (4073)
• Jacksonville, Florida
26 Mar 18
@oahuwriter - I can not afford that type of coverage. Thanks for the prayers.
1 person likes this





