You’re about to head off to your next destination. You jam your keys into the ignition cylinder.

Snap!

Was that what you thought it was?

Cautiously, you bring your keys to your face. No, it can’t be…

… yes, it is.

Many car owners will attest that broken car keys are perhaps the most inconvenient and frustrating things to encounter.

Not only is it a pain if you don’t carry a spare on you, but it can also leave you stranded – the absolute last thing you can afford when you’re on a tight
schedule!

There are many things that can cause a car key to snap, which we’ve covered here.

That’s not today’s subject, though: rather, today we’re here to talk about what to do when you discover one of these problems has resulted in broken car
keys!

car key replacement specialist

Do: use a key removal tool

The first thing you should try to do when your key snaps in the ignition is to remove the broken chunk of key.

Unfortunately, you can’t do this on your own. Keys fit ignition chambers very snugly – if your keys have snapped mid-way, getting them out can be near
impossible.

Before this happens, we recommend buying a key removal tool.

Think of these tools like super-fine tweezers. Using these, you can carefully remove the broken remnants of your keys from the ignition.

If your car key has broken before you’ve left the house, you might be able to try it using a pair of your own tweezers!

Be careful, though. If it’s too difficult, stop. You don’t want to risk further damage to the ignition.

 

Do: lubricate the car lock

If your key fragments are proving too stubborn, your first instinct might be to reach for the nearest can of WD40 to help loosen it.

We’re not saying that you can’t lubricate your car ignition or lock. However, it’s important to note that not all lubricants are appropriate to use.

Many lubricants congeal as they dry up. Think of
it like how your kitchen stove naturally develops grease, even if you don’t spill anything.

Don’t just use any old lubricant – we recommend sticking to a dry lubricant, as oil-based lubes can leave a sticky residue in your locks and ignition.

This then affects the way keys are rotated and the ease with which they can be removed from the car lock. In the worst case scenario, they can cause your
replacement keys to not fit or get stuck!

Just be careful when using dry lubricants such as graphite. They tend to leave a mess after usage, so be sure to prepare a rug to catch any messes.

 

Don’t: use a screwdriver

So you’ve got a key removal tool on-hand. You’ve even sprayed an appropriate lubricant in your keys or ignition. But no matter what you try, it just doesn’t
seem to be working.

Whatever you do, don’t resort to jimmying the key fragments out with a screwdriver.

Simply put, this is because screwdrivers can damage the tumblers in your ignition and locks, denting them or knocking them out of place.

The result? Keys that don’t fit or turn.

Instead, keep calm and keep at it. It may take several attempts until you pull it out, but it also reduces your chances of accidentally breaking something.

 

Do: contact an auto locksmith

If you’ve tried everything to get the broken car key out of the car door or ignition, but are worried about causing further damage, there’s only one thing
you should do: call a professional auto locksmith for immediate help and support!

Simply put, not all of us drive around with key removal keys and a suitable lubricant. After all, how often do your keys break?

Unlike most drivers, a mobile auto locksmith does travel just about everywhere with the tools of the trade.

That includes key removal tools, lubricants, and more specialised tools, such as the tools needed to completely dismantle your key or ignition chambers.

locksmith moorabbin

Get back in your car quickly, easily, and without damage

Call an auto locksmith in Moorabbin today!

Galmier Locksmiths is an auto locksmith in Moorabbin, servicing the entire Bayside area of Melbourne.

Our specialty? Getting you back on the road quickly and without hassle.

In addition to attending lockouts and cutting replacement keys, we
can also remove snapped or broken keys out of your ignition and locks.

Contact Galmier Locksmiths today on 0407 022 234. Better yet, save our number in case you experience a car key or lock emergency
in the near future!