What It Means If You See a Penny in Your Car Door Handle

Debunking the Myth: Pennies in Car Door Handles

Urban legends about cars often gain traction online, stirring anxiety among drivers and car owners. One particularly persistent tale involves discovering a penny wedged into a car door handle, with sinister interpretations attached. The story suggests that criminals use this trick to disable a car’s locking system, setting the stage for theft. But how much truth is there to this alarming claim?

Are Vehicles Really in Danger?

Despite its viral spread, especially since around 2015, this myth doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. According to experts in automotive repair, the idea that a coin could interfere with a vehicle’s automatic locking system is simply not credible. When fact-checking site Snopes reached out to Caliber Collision Repair in New York, professionals there firmly rejected the claim. They explained that a penny placed in the handle has no effect on modern key fob-operated locking systems.

Expert Insight Confirms the Truth

This sentiment is echoed by specialists at Arnold Chevrolet Buick in New York. Their team also regarded the theory as implausible, reaffirming that external objects like coins lodged in door handles cannot compromise a vehicle’s security. The advanced design of electronic locks ensures that such tampering methods are ineffective and baseless.