10-17-2024, 10:12 PM
So, I totally locked my key fob inside my 2017 Toyota Corolla last week, and let me tell you, I’ve never felt more frustrated. I had just finished grocery shopping, arms full of bags, and of course, the car’s locked tight with my key fob sitting on the passenger seat, taunting me. I didn’t have a spare key with me either (lesson learned there).
First thing I tried was to see if my Corolla had that smart app feature—you know, where you can unlock the car with your phone? If you’ve got the Toyota app and it's already set up with your car, you're in luck. You can unlock it remotely. Unfortunately for me, I hadn't set that up yet (procrastination strikes again), so no luck there.
Next, I remembered hearing that some Corollas have a hidden physical key inside the fob itself. If you pop the little button on the fob, a small metal key should slide out. Now, this won’t work for all models, but for mine, it worked perfectly because I had a hidden keyhole on the driver’s door handle. The key slid right in, and boom, I was in!
If that doesn't work for you, you might be stuck calling a locksmith. They can usually make quick work of getting your car unlocked, but it’s not exactly cheap. I’ve heard prices can range from $50 to $150 depending on where you are, so definitely not my first choice.
Now, if you’re feeling adventurous (and don’t care too much about a few scratches on your door), you could try the ol’ wire coat hanger trick. Slide it between the window and the door frame, fish for the lock mechanism, and hope for the best. I personally didn’t want to risk messing up my paint job, so I skipped this DIY method, but hey, it works for some people!
After this whole mess, I’ve decided to keep a spare key hidden in one of those magnetic lockboxes under the car. Trust me, it’s worth it to avoid the hassle. And if your Corolla’s got the app feature, get it set up now so you don’t end up in my situation. Hope this helps if you find yourself locked out like I was!
First thing I tried was to see if my Corolla had that smart app feature—you know, where you can unlock the car with your phone? If you’ve got the Toyota app and it's already set up with your car, you're in luck. You can unlock it remotely. Unfortunately for me, I hadn't set that up yet (procrastination strikes again), so no luck there.
Next, I remembered hearing that some Corollas have a hidden physical key inside the fob itself. If you pop the little button on the fob, a small metal key should slide out. Now, this won’t work for all models, but for mine, it worked perfectly because I had a hidden keyhole on the driver’s door handle. The key slid right in, and boom, I was in!
If that doesn't work for you, you might be stuck calling a locksmith. They can usually make quick work of getting your car unlocked, but it’s not exactly cheap. I’ve heard prices can range from $50 to $150 depending on where you are, so definitely not my first choice.
Now, if you’re feeling adventurous (and don’t care too much about a few scratches on your door), you could try the ol’ wire coat hanger trick. Slide it between the window and the door frame, fish for the lock mechanism, and hope for the best. I personally didn’t want to risk messing up my paint job, so I skipped this DIY method, but hey, it works for some people!
After this whole mess, I’ve decided to keep a spare key hidden in one of those magnetic lockboxes under the car. Trust me, it’s worth it to avoid the hassle. And if your Corolla’s got the app feature, get it set up now so you don’t end up in my situation. Hope this helps if you find yourself locked out like I was!