Locked Your Keys in the Car? What to Do First

By Andy, owner · Mobile auto locksmith · Winnipeg, MB · Published June 2026 · Updated September 2026

Open 8 AM–9 PM, 7 days.
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If you've locked your keys in the car, stay calm and don't try to force a door or window, as that often causes damage that costs more than the lockout itself. A mobile locksmith can come to you and open the car safely.

First, a few quick checks

Before calling anyone, take a moment to rule out the easy fixes. Sometimes one of these gets you back in without any help at all.

  • Try every door, not just the one you usually use
  • Check the trunk or hatch if it opens separately
  • See if anyone else in your household has a spare key nearby
  • If your car has a phone app for remote unlock, try it

If it's still locked, don't force it

It's tempting to try a coat hanger or to pry at the door, but modern vehicles have sensitive door seals, electronics and airbags built into the frame. A slip can mean a bent door, a cracked window, or worse, and the repair bill usually dwarfs the cost of a proper lockout. This is the moment to call rather than improvise.

When to prioritize the call

If a child or a pet is locked inside, or you're stranded somewhere unsafe, treat it as urgent and call emergency services right away alongside a locksmith. For an everyday lockout, a calm call to get someone out to you is the right move.

How much does a car lockout cost in Winnipeg? (from $150, all-in)

A car lockout starts from $150, taxes included. The price is agreed up front and you only pay once you're back in, with no hidden fees. Inside Winnipeg there is no charge for the trip; outside the city, a travel fee is part of the all-in price I give you before I set out.

Who to call in Winnipeg: locksmith, dealer or tow?

For keys locked inside, a mobile locksmith is usually the simplest call: I come to wherever you're stuck, at home, at work, or on the roadside anywhere in Winnipeg and the surrounding area, and open the car where it's parked without damaging it. A dealer can make a new key at its service counter, which means getting the car, or its VIN and your paperwork, there. A tow truck moves the car rather than opening it. Here is how my car lockout service in Winnipeg works.

My service runs from 8 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week, so there's a good window to reach me on the day it happens.

What I'll check first

Even for a lockout, I confirm the car is yours before opening it. It's my standard procedure to keep everything legitimate.

  • Your vehicle registration
  • A matching photo ID
  • Where the car is parked

When you're back in, you can pay by Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Interac e-Transfer, or cash, whichever is easiest.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first if I lock my keys in the car?
Check every door, the trunk, and any remote unlock app first. If it's still locked, don't force it, since that can cause damage. Call a mobile locksmith to open it safely from $150.
Will opening the car damage it?
Done properly, no. Non-destructive entry opens vehicles without damaging them. The risk comes from forcing a door or window yourself, which can cost far more to repair than the lockout.
How much does a car lockout cost?
A car lockout starts from $150, agreed up front with no hidden fees. I come to you anywhere in Winnipeg and the surrounding area, and you only pay once you're back in.

Need a car key, fob or lockout in Winnipeg?

Mobile auto locksmith — I come to you, 7 days a week.

Save my number to your phone — so it is there next time.

No Fix = No Pay · 1-year warranty on my work · exact all-in price up front

Not sure what you have? Send a photo of your key or VIN on WhatsApp or Messenger for an exact quote.

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