How to Find a Car Key Lost
Car keys can be a major deal when they get lost. The cost of replacing them could be several hundred dollars depending on the type and features.
For traditional metal keys, you can usually find a replacement at an hardware store or locksmith. You'll need your vehicle identification number (VIN) to visit a dealer for an alternative smart key and get it paired to your car.
Identifying Your Keys
The loss of your car keys is among the most stressful things that could happen to drivers. If you reach into your pocket or bag and are unable to locate keys, it's difficult to know what to do. To locate your keys it is best to remain at a safe distance and follow a step-by-step method.
Begin by identifying the type of car key you own. If you have a traditional mechanical key that opens the locks it is possible to have a locksmith make copies at a reasonable cost. You can also replace your key with a dealer, but it is usually more expensive.
Most modern cars come with a smart key that triggers an internal sensor to allow keyless ignition and entry. These keys are more difficult to lose since they have an inbuilt feature that keeps the track of the location of the key. If you have a smart key, it's crucial to ensure that you keep it in your pocket at all times, or it could be difficult to find.
You should check your usual places of hiding first before moving on to other places. Check your coat pockets, shoes, and any bags you've carried with you throughout the day. You could also consider walking back through your day, and retracing your steps to see where you may have lost the key.
You should contact a dealer or locksmith for assistance if you have exhausted all your search options, but you are still unable to locate your car key. If you have proof of ownership, they can provide you with a replacement. If you own a vehicle with no transponder chips, then you can also have an initial copy made at Home Depot.
Even if you don't lose your keys often, it’s an excellent idea to have a spare key on hand. You can do this in a few different ways however the most popular is to give a duplicate key to a family member or trusted friend. You can also buy an Bluetooth tracker that you can connect to your keys. The app will inform you where they are at every moment of the day.
Making an Copy
It's easy to lose keys, which are an essential part of your vehicle. Many car owners are in situations where their keys get lost or don't work at the most difficult times. The loss of keys can be frustrating and annoying, whether it's at the gas pump, loading groceries into the trunk, or after a hard day at work.
The good news is that if you have an extra key, it can help you in these scenarios. If you don't have an extra key, you can easily and cheaply create a duplicate at the majority of hardware stores or through locksmiths. It is also advisable to keep an extra set of keys in your wallet in the case.
Many people believe that they need to go to a dealer in order to purchase a new car key. This is not always the situation. It is contingent on the kind of key you have, and how complicated it is.
The majority of modern automobiles come with keys that are more than just metal blades. They also have chips in them that need to be programmed to begin the engine. These are not the kind of keys you can just get cut at a self-service kiosk in the mall, and will not work with any other key.
The easiest method of making the key copy is to simply visit your local AutoZone and let an associate use a machine to discern the contours of the key, then match it up to a blank key and cut it for you. This is a simple process that takes just about a minute to complete. Some locations have a device that can program your key to match the car model you have.
Other places that can help you locate a car key copy include family-owned hardware stores and big box home improvement stores and some chain grocery stores. It is important to know that these copies can only be used for the doors and ignitions of your car, not the remote keys. It is a good idea to speak with a locksmith in order to make a duplicate of the smart key or dealer chip key, since they are only copied by a professional who has the proper equipment and tools.
Replacement
You have a few alternatives if you lose your car key. You can go to the dealership where your car is sold or visit an automotive locksmith. Each option will cost a different amount. It also depends on the kind of key you have. Certain cars come with a simple double-edged car key, while others have more complicated keys.
Online searches can help you find locksmiths for cars in your area. Look for one that specializes in cars and has an auto division. You can then contact them for a quote on making an original key. Some have mobile units that can come to your location and create an exact key right there. This is a great solution if you already have a key that does not have an embedded chip.
A lot of cars today are equipped with a key fob that is tiny electronic device that lets you lock and unlock your car from the distance. The fob can also be used to start the engine and to control other features of your vehicle. It is easy to lose. You can prevent this by keeping an extra fob in your purse.
Dealerships can repair your lost key s however it could be expensive. A lot of dealerships will charge a fee for replacing your lost car keys. This is why so many people opt for an automotive locksmith. Some of these companies specialize in repairing keys for cars, which can be a less expensive option than going to the dealer.
You'll have to take your car to the dealer to have it replaced if you have a smart-key. They will need to program the new key to your vehicle. This usually involves closing and opening doors and switching electronics and lights on and off. You will be asked to provide the VIN number for your vehicle, a photo identification and any other keys you may have.
The loss of a car keys is always frustrating but it could be even more frustrating when you're working on a tight schedule and you need to travel. There is no need to panic, however. Just remember to search thoroughly for your keys, purchase the key-finder tag to ensure that they are easier to locate, and also consider buying a spare fob so that this situation doesn't occur again.
Getting Help
Sometimes, we're distracted or forgetful and end up losing our keys to our car. These incidents can be a source of frustration when you accidentally drop them in a river when fishing, or leave them in a restaurant when you're eating. Luckily, there are ways you can avoid these scenarios from happening in the future and to minimize the damage when they do occur.
You should always keep an extra set of keys on hand. This will save you the frustration of having to retrace your steps or paying for costly locksmith services. You can also purchase a Bluetooth key-finder tag to aid you in finding your keys. They can be purchased online at a fairly affordable price.
For older vehicles that use mechanical keys you can get a new key cut at most hardware stores for only a few dollars. Many cars are equipped with key fobs that have a lot of technology. If you lose these keys, they could be costly to replace.
If you have roadside insurance, your insurance company may pay a locksmith to create copies. This could be cheaper than having a new key made by a dealer, based on the type of keys you have.
Another option is to reach out to the car dealership where you purchased your vehicle and see if they can help you with creating a new key. It could be more expensive than hiring a locksmith but it is easier to deal with a dealership that you know.
The final option is to hire a locksmith deprogram the old key, so that it is no longer working. This is a risky procedure, so it's probably best to hire a professional to do this for you. keys lost are able perform this without having to remove the key, however it's usually better to let a dealership handle this so that you can be certain that it's done properly.