Urban legends about cars often circulate online, inciting fear among concerned consumers. One persistent myth involves discovering a penny wedged into a car door handle and the ominous implications it carries. But is there any truth to this legend?

Debunking the Myth

The urban legend revolves around the idea of finding pennies in car door handles, with claims that malevolent individuals use them to manipulate the automatic locking mechanisms of vehicles. This myth began spreading in 2015, suggesting that thieves could use this method to steal parked cars.

Is Your Vehicle Really at Risk?

However, after thorough investigation, it becomes evident that this urban legend lacks credibility. Professionals and experts in the field of car mechanics have debunked these claims. When Snopes contacted Caliber Collision Repair in New York to inquire whether inserting a penny into a car door handle could deactivate the electronic locking mechanism, the response was resounding. Mechanics not only dismissed the idea but also found it implausible. The key fob locking system, a fundamental aspect of modern vehicles, would remain intact, rendering any objects wedged into the door handle ineffective in affecting the car’s locking mechanism.

Reliable Expert Opinions

Arnold Chevrolet Buick in New York echoed the sentiments of Caliber Collision Repair. They, too, found the notion of a coin in the car door handle disabling a vehicle’s security system to be far-fetched.