Car Key Lost: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

How to Find a Car Key Lost If keys to your car are lost, it's a big problem. Replacing them can cost several hundred dollars, based on the type of key and what features are included. For traditional keys made of metal, you can usually find a replacement at the hardware or locksmith store. For smart keys, you'll need find your vehicle identification number (VIN) and then visit an auto dealer to purchase an additional key and then have it connected to your vehicle. Identifying your keys The most stressful thing that can happen to any driver is the loss of their keys to their car. It can be difficult to know what to say when you can't find your keys in your pocket or bag. It's best to stay calm and take a step-by-step approach to finding your keys. Begin by identifying what kind of car keys that you have. You can purchase a duplicate of an electronic key that can operate the locks from a locksmith for a reasonable price If you own one. You can also replace your key with a dealer, but it is usually more expensive. The majority of modern cars have a smart key which activates a sensor in the car for keyless entry and ignition. These keys are harder to lose since they have an inbuilt feature that keeps track of where the key is. Keep your smart keys close at the ready in case you find it difficult to locate. You should check your usual hiding spots first before moving on to other locations. Check your coat pockets or shoes, as well as any bags you've carried around with you during the day. You could also consider walking back through the day and retracing your steps to see the places you may have misplaced the key. You should contact a dealership or locksmith for assistance if have exhausted all your search options but still cannot find your car key. If you have proof of ownership, they can provide you with an alternative. You can also visit Home Depot to have a basic key copied if you're driving a model which doesn't have transponder chips. Even if you don’t lose your keys frequently, it’s recommended to have a spare key on hand. There are many ways to do this but most involve giving an extra key to a trusted friend or family member. Another option is to invest in a Bluetooth key tracker, which can be put on your keys and connected to an app that will tell you where your keys are at any given time. Making a copy A key is a crucial component of a car and it's easy to lose. Many car owners are in situations where keys are lost or don't work at the most inconvenient times. Losing your keys is frustrating and annoying, whether it's while at the gas pump, loading groceries into the trunk, or after an exhausting day at work. The good news is that if have an additional key, it could help in these situations. If not have one, you can make a copy of your keys quickly, easily and inexpensively at most locksmiths or hardware stores. You should also keep an additional set of keys in your wallet just in the case. Many people are under the impression that they must visit a dealership to get a replacement car key. This isn't always the situation. The complexity of the key and the type you own will determine how it works. Most modern cars have keys that are more than metal blades. They also have chips inside them that need to be programmed to start the engine. These are not the types of keys that you can just cut at a self-service kiosk in the mall, and will not usually work with any other key. The easiest method of making the key copy is to simply visit your local AutoZone and ask an associate to use a machine to discern the contours of the key. They will then compare it to an uncut key and cut it for you. This is a very simple procedure, and will only take about a couple of minutes to complete. Some locations even have a device that can program the key to your specific model of car. Other places that could assist you with copies of your car keys include family owned hardware stores as well as big box home improvement stores and a few chain grocery stores. It is important to note that these copies can only be used for the doors and ignitions of your vehicle, not the remote keys. It is recommended to contact an expert locksmith to duplicate a smart key or a dealer's chip key. The keys must be created by a professional using the correct tools and equipment. Getting an Exchange There are several options for getting an alternative car key if it is lost. You can either go to the dealership which sells your car or go to an automotive locksmith. Each option will cost you a different amount. It is also contingent on the type of key your vehicle has. Certain cars have an easy, double-edged car key while others have more intricate keys. hop over to this site can find a list of car locksmiths in your local area by conducting an online search. Find one that is specialized in car locksmiths and has an auto division. Contact them for a quote on making an original key. Some have a mobile unit which can travel to your location and make you an exact key right there. This is a great solution if you already have keys that do not contain an embedded chip. A lot of cars come with keys fobs, which are an electronic device that allows you to lock and unlock your car from an extended distance. The fob can also be used to start the engine and control some other features in your vehicle. The fob can be easy to lose. There are ways to avoid this from happening, for example keeping a spare in your pocket. Dealerships can repair your lost keys however, it can be costly. Many dealerships will charge a fee to replace your lost car keys. This is why so many people prefer an automotive locksmith. Some of these companies are specialized in repairing car keys. This could be an affordable alternative to going to dealers. You will need to take your car to the dealer to replace it with a smart-key. They will have to program the new key into your vehicle. This usually involves opening and closing doors, and/or turning on lights and electronics and off. You'll need the VIN number of your car, a photo ID and the other set of keys that you carry with you. The loss of a car keys is always a source of frustration, but it can be more difficult if you are on a tight schedule and need to get somewhere. There's no need to be in a panic. Remember to look for your keys with care and get a key-finder label to make them easier to locate and to think about purchasing an extra fob to prevent this repeating itself. Get Assistance We could lose our keys to our cars when we are distracted or not paying attention. When you drop keys in the water while fishing or leave them at the restaurant when you're eating out These kinds of accidents can be difficult to deal with. There are steps you can do to avoid this happening again and to limit damage in the event of it happening. You should always keep an extra set of keys on hand. This will avoid the hassle of having to trace your steps again or pay for a costly locksmith services. Another alternative is to invest in an RFID-based key-finder tag with Bluetooth that will help you locate your keys quickly. The tags can be bought online at a fairly affordable cost. If you have a car that have mechanical keys, it's possible to have a new key cut at most hardware stores for only a couple of dollars. However, a lot of cars today have key fobs that come with a lot of technology integrated into. If you lose them key fobs, they can be expensive to replace. If you have roadside insurance and your insurance company is able to provide a locksmith with the cost of creating copies. This may be less expensive than having a new key made at a dealer, depending on the type of keys you have. Another option is to contact the car dealership where you purchased your vehicle and ask them to assist you create a new key. This could be more expensive than working with a locksmith, however it may also be less stressful to choose a dealership you know. The final option is to have locksmiths reprogram the old key, so that it is no longer working. It is best to let a professional handle this process as it can be very risky. Certain locksmiths can perform this without removing the key however it's generally better to let a dealership handle it for you, so you can be certain that it's done correctly.