It’s a situation that you probably didn’t see
coming that has the potential to be a nightmare that ruins your day. Whether
your key had already been sticking a few times in your ignition lock when you
tried to start your ignition, or there were no warning signs preceding the
problem, having your key get stuck in your ignition lock is always frustrating.
It doesn’t matter if you’re in your work’s parking garage, a random parking lot
after shopping for groceries, or your own driveway, a stuck car key always
requires immediate attention. Before attempting any of the following moves,
make sure your parking brake is engaged to prevent your vehicle from moving.
Step One: Keep Calm
It’s not unheard of for a car key to get stuck in
the ignition, but if it happens to you, it might cause you to become anxious
and even panic. This is especially true if you’re not sure what to do next and
you’re stranded, such as in the middle of the night. However, panicking will
only lead you to think and act irrationally. There’s no need to damage your
ignition cylinder or steering wheel column, even if you’re in a time crunch.
Instead, take a few deep, centering breaths and keep reading.
Step Two: Check to Ensure the Transmission is Set to Park
Most vehicles have a safety measure in place that
prevents your key from being removed from the lock if your transmission isn’t
in park. If your vehicle is older and your ignition system is beginning to wear
down, this setting may become a little finicky. Ensure
that your ignition is set to park and not hovering between two settings. If
you’re lucky, this will be all it takes for your key to free itself. If not,
move on to the next step.
Step Three: Check for a Locked Steering Wheel
Another safety feature of most modern vehicles is
to lock the key in place when the steering wheel is engaged. If you were
applying pressure to your steering wheel at the same time that your ignition
system shut off, there’s a chance that the steering pin is still keeping the
lock engaged. This protects your vehicle from moving at the wrong time. If you
suspect that a stuck steering wheel might be the root of the problem, trying
wiggling the wheel back and forth while applying a moderate amount of pressure
to the key itself, using any free space you may have around the key to move
that as well. This might kick the mechanism loose and free the key.
Step Four: Try to Identify Any Obstruction
Use your phone or a flashlight to look around
where the key is inserted into the lock in order to determine if you can see
any visible dirt or debris that’s causing the key to get wedged inside.
Sometimes, dust and dirt can transfer into the ignition lock and compact,
causing an obstruction that can get your key stuck. Usually you won’t be able
to reach this obstruction and may need to contact a locksmith.
Step Five: Use Moderate Force to Free the Key
If all else has failed, your last attempt before
calling a professional involves using a moderate amount of force to free the
key. If you have a pair of pliers or a wrench handy, you can enlist one of
these tools to help give you additional leverage. Grip the key and try wiggling
it back and forth, putting a significant amount of pressure on it in each
direction. It’s important not to use too much force, as keys are more delicate
than they look and may snap off in the lock itself.
