Hi all,

Yesterday evening in a rather chilly (by California standards) parking lot, I found it very hard to turn the key in the ignition. I tried turning the steering wheel as one does when it locks up if you turn the wheel wrong when parking, but that didn't help. (It was a diagonal parking space so I don't think I turned the wheel much when parking.)

I finally managed to turn the key, start the car, and back out and turn to leave, but the car didn't sound or feel right. I think there was a whirring sound. (There also was the sound you get when you try to turn on the car but it's already on. Not sure if I actually did that at one point -- I was flustered.)

I decided something was wrong with the car and tried to turn it off. >>>I couldn't turn the key to turn off the car!<<< Eventually I was able to force the key to turn and turn off the engine.

I called roadside assistance, but they were taking so long that I tried turning the key again. And then the key & car worked normally. I drove home, turned the car off and on at one point. Tried it this morning -- turning the key felt a bit stiff, but nothing like yesterday night.

>>>Any thoughts on what is or was wrong with the car? Could something I did wrong have led to this behavior, or there clearly a problem with the car?<<<

It was colder out than usual, but only by California standards. My key has long had a little twist in it but that hasn't caused problems before.