Disaster averted with a pair of pantyhose and some quick thinking

[GinFizzieLizzie]

After several months of no dressed up outings due to being extremely busy, I decided last night to get dressed and go for a short drive.

I checked the windows before stepping out the back door to my car, as my neighbors do not know of my CDing.

Just after starting my car, I looked in the console for the phone charger I usually keep in the car, but realized I had put it in my work bag. I grabbed my purse and did not bother shutting off the car, since the bag was just inside my back door. I returned to my car and apparently, I had hit the door lock when I got out, and so now the car key was locked inside with the engine running. I tried not to panic. Adding to this, I saw one of my neighbor's lights go on, and began to worry someone may come out.

I decided to abort the plan to go out and go back inside to get changed and remove my wig and makeup while I figured out a way to get the car door open, but I did not want to leave the car with the engine running unattended for so long, for fear that it may overheat or be stolen. I had noticed when I was rummaging in my purse for the apartment key, there was a pair of badly runned pantyhose in the bottom that I had not bothered to throw out. I took them out and rolled up the top of them into a tight ball, and used them to clog up the tailpipe. After a few seconds, the engine sputtered out, and I quickly went inside to get out of drag, which turned out to be just in time as I heard my neighbor's back door open just a few minutes later.

After getting fully changed I was able to get the door open with a wire hanger, but it took some time to do, during which one of my neighbors did come out into the alley, so I think it was a good decision to get changed.

[cheryl reeves]

you need a spare car key for times like that..we have 2 sets for our van...

[GinFizzieLizzie]

A friend of mine has my spare, which was plan B, but I still would have to get changed first.

[carhill2mn]

I always carry an extra set of keys in my purse. However, they would be of no value if I left my purse in the car. The mechanic that I use always lowers a window whenever working on a car just for the reason that you mentioned. In many cities you can get a ticket for leaving a car running in your driveway. The few seconds that you "save" by leaving the car running are probably not worth it (although, we probably have all done it).

I am sure that you learned a lesson!

[Dana44]

Ah, I had a wife that would always take my keys. On both of my trucks. I have two keys hidden in those magnetic key holders. I've had to use them a plenty over the years. It is best to do that as we always forget. On my dodge ram it's like the bat mobile, it will automatically lock itself when you get out and with the engine running, best to have a key somewhere.

[GinFizzieLizzie]

It's really ironic because typically it's something I'm so careful about. I always do the same thing with lowering the window anytime I need to check something with the engine running.

It's a good thing I'm so lazy about cleaning out my purse or those pantyhose wouldn't have been in there.

[Kate Simmons]

Would probably be a good idea to just shut the car off and take the keys next time.:)

[Sarah-RT]

Magyver to the rescue, or would that be miss gyver?

[jjjjohanne]

My first thought during your post was Eddie Murphy and and a banana. (From Beverly Hills Cop)

When I started having occasional outings, I felt a lot of nerves about locked doors. I lock my doors because I keep my guy clothes in the car. If I am eating lunch pretty during the work day, etc. I need those men's clothes! I started using a magnetic key hider to keep a second key on my car. I would HATE to lock myself out of my car while pretty and away from home! I would immediately consider quickly breaking a window and getting in.
News report: "Man disguised in women's clothes was seen breaking into and stealing a blue sedan today. Here is security cam footage..."

[GinFizzieLizzie]

My first thought during your post was Eddie Murphy and and a banana. (From Beverly Hills Cop)"

This is exactly what I was thinking as I was walking away from the car after putting the pantyhose in the exhaust pipe, "Please let the movies be accurate for once". Sure enough, the engine wheezed out just as I went back into my apartment.

[Victoria StJohn]

One advantage of the new key-less starters in some new cars, you cannot lock the door(s) with the electronic key left in the car. My key never comes out of my pouch, therefore, I can't lock my purse/pouch in the car.

[AprilMayy<3]

I have a 2.5 inch performance exhaust on my car...pantyhose wouldn't work for me :P nice thinking though! We almost always manage to find ways out of bad situations lol

[RADER]

I have that "On Star" from GM.
I once locked the keys to my Tahoe while the engine was running on the driveway.
I called them up on my cell, gave them the Vin # and some more information,
and wow!!! they unlocked the door. Saving me all kinds of grief.
Sometimes "Tech" has its advantages.
Rader

PS: A very long time ago when in Grade School, I stuffed a rag in the tale pipe of the school bus
when it was parked loading kids.
It was the day when they stopped having buss service for anyone that lived closer than 3 miles
from school. I was 1 block inside the boundary.
The bus died, and sat their all night....To Bad.
Rader

[lingerieLiz]

You should turn off your car because it saves gas. Or so they say. Lucky you didn't lock yourself out to the house at the same time.

[Beverley Sims]

Yet another use for panty hose.

[SonjaThompson]

Wow, that really was quick thinking, and looks like you avoided being "outed" by a neighbour. For me it is my worst nightmare!

[Marcelle]

Great story and I am glad it worked out fine . . . thanks for sharing.

Hugs

Isha

[GinFizzieLizzie]

Last night, I decided to attempt a short outing once again. I got fully dressed and waited out a brief rain shower.

To make sure there was no possible repeat of the previous fiasco, I took the keys I needed (house, car) off my other key chains and put them on one ring. I slipped out the back door, got into my car, and started it up. However, as I about to put in in drive, then engine stumbled, then stalled. I attempted to start it several times with no luck. I was about to just give up on going out when I thought to check the tailpipe. It was still plugged up with pantyhose. I was sure I had remembered to remove them when I got the keys out Friday, but apparently I hadn't.

This may have been the most scatter-brained yet of my mishaps.

[Jamie Lynn]

Careful.........it could be that someone's trying to tell you something! Or that we're waiting for the next good laugh!! ;)

[Persephone]

Uh, you aren't a blonde, are you?

I totally admire your MissGyver brilliance! Not something I would have thought of in a million years.

But I can see where it could have gotten worse... the car runs, the pressure builds up and...WHAM!...the pantyhose are launched straight at your neighbor!

Just for fun, you can check out this BlondeStar "commercial," (click here, contains audio) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrt2q6Mpeyc) where the lady believes she's locked herself in her car with the keys on the outside...

Hugs,
Persephone.

[sometimes_miss]

Never understood people who aren't prepared for common problems. Yes, spare key in wallet. But I also keep one in a metal magnet box up under the frame of the car, painted the same base color, and it's in a spot where it looks like part of one of the brake components (if you do this, do not buy the one that is plastic with the big gold letters that say KEYS, that's just plain stupid). Also keep a set of keys in one of those fake rocks, buried about 4 inches in the yard. Friend has a spare set in a jar screwed to his basement ceiling, same with mom's house.

[Joni T]

Lesson learned, hopefully. Rule number one is NEVER leave an idling vehicle unattended, and, ALWAYS lock the door with the key or remote.
Joni

[Lauri K]

I had noticed when I was rummaging in my purse for the apartment key, there was a pair of badly runned pantyhose in the bottom that I had not bothered to throw out. I took them out and rolled up the top of them into a tight ball, and used them to clog up the tailpipe. After a few seconds, the engine sputtered out, and I quickly went inside to get out of drag,.

Gin, you owe me some mascara and wrinkle cream, I have tried to reply to this message 3 or 4 times now; but each time I get tears in my eyes from the thought and laughter of seeing you out there en-femme stuffing worn out pantyhose into the tail pipe to choke out the engine.

And then it gets even better when you reported that the next day the engine had also stalled out when you tried to use the vehicle because you had not removed the pantyhose plug in the pipe from the engine kill episode the day before.

I was thinking about this today, and each time I just break down with tears in my eyes from laughing and visualizing this event.

On a serious note I realize this was significant close call for you, but you have to agree the pantyhose solution to this problem was hilarious,, good thinking on your part.

I hate all this happened to you but your quick thinking gave me some tears and laughs.

No harm intended here, just sharing I thought it was funny approach to a serious problem.

There once was a website that had 100 uses for used pantyhose, I have got tell them there is one they overlooked "use them to clog a tail pipe and stall your engine"

Warm Regards,

Lauri K.

[Stephanie47]

The times I have gone out en femme I wear a spare key on a chain around my neck. Even in drab I always carry two keys. As a matter of practice the key for the ignition is not attached to any other key. No sense is giving my house keys to a car hijacker.