Keys locked inside, keys in the boot, a child or a pet shut in. We open the vehicle with tools made for the job, chosen to protect the door, the lock, the glass and the weatherseal.
How we open a locked car
The methods depend on the vehicle. Long-reach tools through a wedged door gap, air wedges to create clearance without deforming the frame, and lock manipulation where the lock design allows it.
The damage risk on a modern vehicle is real and it is mostly in two places: side airbags in the door and pillar, and the wiring looms that run through the door. A tool pushed carelessly can catch either. This is the main practical reason not to attempt it with a coat hanger from a video — the repair costs a great deal more than having the car opened properly.
A child or pet locked in the vehicle
Tell us immediately when you call.
If a child or animal is in distress, or the vehicle is in direct sun in warm weather, call 911 first. Interior temperatures in a closed vehicle rise dangerously fast, far faster than most people expect, and emergency services will break a window if that is what the situation requires. A window is replaceable. Do not wait on a locksmith when the situation is already urgent.
Keys locked in the boot
Most vehicles have a boot release inside the cabin or a folding rear seat, so opening a door is usually enough to reach the keys.
Where the boot is genuinely isolated with no interior access, we can open the boot lock directly on most makes. Tell us which situation you have when you call, because it changes what we bring.
What it costs and what affects it
The price depends on the vehicle — some models are genuinely harder and take longer — and on where you are in the GTA.
We give you a price estimate on the phone. When the final price can only be set on site, the technician tells you the price before starting any work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a car lockout cost?
The price depends on the vehicle and on where you are in the GTA. We give you an estimate on the phone; when the final price can only be set on site, the technician tells you the price before starting any work.
Will unlocking damage my car?
Not when it is done correctly with proper tools. The genuine risks on a modern vehicle are side airbags in the door and pillar, and the wiring looms inside the door, both of which can be caught by a tool used carelessly. That is the practical reason not to attempt it yourself — the potential repair costs far more than having the car opened properly.
My child is locked in the car. What do I do?
Call 911 first, then call us and say a child is inside. If there is any distress, or the vehicle is in sun in warm weather, do not wait for anyone — interior temperatures climb dangerously fast and emergency services will break a window if needed. A window is replaceable. A 911 response may reach you sooner than any locksmith.
Can you unlock a car with the keys inside and the engine running?
Yes, and it is a common call — remote starters and idling vehicles lock themselves regularly. The procedure is the same. Mention it when you call so we know the vehicle is running, and get it dealt with promptly rather than leaving a running vehicle unattended.
Car Lockout across the GTA
We provide car lockout service throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Pick your city for local detail, or call and we will tell you straight away whether you are in range.
Related services
Locked Out of Car — What To Do
What to do first, who to call and how the price is set when your keys are locked in the car in Toronto — including what to do after 11 PM.
Car Key Replacement
Keys cut and programmed on site for virtually every make on the road — mechanical, transponder, remote head, flip and proximity.
Broken Key Extraction
Snapped keys removed from ignitions, door locks and padlocks with extraction tools made for the job.
All Keys Lost
Every key gone and no original to copy — key originated from the vehicle itself, on site, without a tow.
Emergency Locksmith
Help for lockouts, break-ins, failed locks and vehicles — 7 days a week, 8 AM to 11 PM, across the GTA.