Why DIY Lockout Kits Can Damage Your Car

Why DIY Lockout Kits Can Damage Your Car: This problem happens all the time, especially if you are in a hurry. You are shutting your car door only to realize that the keys are right on the seat, staring at you through the window. What will you do next? You will most likely think about every single possibility that can help solve this problem. More often than not, this is the exact point at which people resort to DIY lockout kits.  

While they promise to be a quick and affordable solution to unlock your vehicle, they can become your worst nightmare since they can inflict serious damage to your automobile. In this article, we will explain in detail what these kits do, the harm they can inflict on your vehicle, and why hiring professionals for such services is a much better and safer option.  

What are lockout kits?

Lockout kits, slim jims, and other similar tools are tools that can be brought from stores or purchased online. They typically come with metal rods, wedges, and even inflatable bags that can help pry open your door or unlock it from the inside.

These tools are advertised as a do-it-yourself way of getting back into your vehicle without having to call for assistance. Some kits even advertise their “services” as compatible with “any car model.” While this is appealing at first glance, the slogan is far from the truth. Modern-day vehicles include sensitive airbags, tight seals, and complicated electronics, which can easily be ruined if the right way is not taken.

Common Ways DIY Lockout Kits Can Damage Your Car

With how modern-day cars are made, the door locks and frames are much more intricate than a lot of people may think. Underestimating the precision and care needed can be very costly, sometimes up to thousands of dollars. Below are some of the most common ways that do-it-yourself lockout kits can inflict damage on a person’s vehicle.

Scratching the Paint or Door Frame

Scratched paint is one of the most noticeable forms of damage to any car. Whether it’s wedges or metal rods, trying to slip anything between glass and the weatherstripping can lead to chipping paint or scraping the car’s door frame. Any nick or scratch over time will result in rust, which can make it look unappealing and old.

If you want to minimize your car’s cosmetic damage and body shop repairs for scratched paint, you’ll want to avoid them. This is especially true for deeper scratches that reach the primer layer, as costs can stack very quickly.

Breaking the Window Seals or Weatherstripping

The soft rubber that borders your window is not only for aesthetics. It serves to keep water, dust, and even sound from entering your vehicle. Forcing a rod or wedge between the glass and your car door could cut or stretch this type of weather stripping. 

Once the weather seals are damaged, they become unable to maintain a tight fit around the window. This can result in leaks, annoying wind sound at highway speeds, and mold inside your door panels. While replacing weather stripping is possible, it’s not always done in a jiffy and can be very expensive depending on your vehicle.

Damaging the Lock Mechanism

Another serious risk to consider is how damaging a metal rod could be to the actual locking mechanism. A lot of modern vehicles have electronic lock actuators and sensor-based systems that are very delicate and prone to damage. Even a small shift in these systems due to a metal rod can lead to locks that are unable to engage or disengage properly.

Alternatively, you may assume that you’ve successfully unlocked the car. In that case, there’s a possibility that the car locking mechanism will have sustained irreversible damage. This will inevitably lead to additional ongoing safety concerns, costly repairs, or a completely new replacement of the locking assembly.

Activating Side Airbags

Are you aware that in the majority of modern cars, side airbags are integrated into the door panels? They are meant to go off in real-time during an impact. Sadly, due to a misplaced rod or a tool, these airbags can accidentally be set off. Such an occurrence can lead to thousands of dollars in reinstallation and repair costs.

Not only is the financial burden shocking, but it also poses a safety threat if the airbags are inoperative. In some instances, invasive modifications can lead to a loss of car insurance or warranty coverage.

Car Warranty Revocation

Even with a clear attempt at avoiding damage, using any sort of unlocking device will lead to portions of your car’s insurance policy and warranty being voided. Most manufacturers state that damage incurred by undetermined means will fall under the owner’s responsibility.

This implies that if you scratch a door panel or damage your locks, repairs will need to be done completely out of pocket without any form of reimbursement.

Why Professional Lockout Services Are Safer

The concern here is why people choose to buy a DIY kit even though its hazards are very pronounced. Most of the time, it’s because of cost and convenience. During such scenarios, the risks don’t matter. Yet, professional lockout services offer a greater value if looked at from a longer view. 

Roadside assistance and, for that matter, even trained locksmiths have the skills necessary to unlock doors without damaging shrines, locks, airbags, and car electronics. They have specialized tools that are designed to work with your car’s make and model. A number of them also ensure any damage that might occur, which is something impossible with a DIY plan.

Here are a few reasons to trust a pro instead:

Expertise: They work with virtually every model, including the newer vehicles that tend to have complex security systems.

Proper Tools: Contrary to the DIY kits, tools held by professionals have a specific design for safe entry.

Insurance Protection: Unlike others, licensed locksmiths carry liability insurance that protects you if something happens while unlocking your vehicle.

Peace of Mind: You know that the car is in capable hands and there will not be further extra expenses or damages.

Considering the small fee incurred for a professional service in comparison to the potential vehicle repair cost, the choice becomes clearer.  

Conclusion  

Locking yourself out of your vehicle can lead to immense frustration and mental distress. When you are on a time crunch, it may seem easiest to grab a DIY lockout kit. However, as we discussed, these kits can do so much more harm than good, including cosmetic scratches, destroyed locks, ruined weather stripping, and even unexpected airbag deployment.  

Professional lockout services provide safe and dependable options. Skilled professionals have the right equipment and knowledge to unlock cars without inflicting any damage, and many can assist during emergencies around the clock.  The next time you happen to find yourself locked out of your vehicle, consider reaching out for DIY kits. Attempting to cut corners with cost-saving strategies moves you could make could lead to paying thousands of dollars in repairs and immense frustration. Always remember, when unsure, contact us at All 4 One Transportation to safeguard your vehicle and your finances.

FAQs