Lost Spare Car Key? Here's What to Do
In the past the loss of your car keys wasn't an issue. You'd call your local locksmith and they'd make a new one for you.
Nowadays, it's more complicated. It depends on the type of key you have and whether you lost your spare. Here are a few tips to help you find your car keys.
Retract Your Steps
We all lose things. You could be running a quick errand and you've forgotten to hang your keys in the entryway. Or you might be coming back from a long working day and want to throw them on the couch. Whatever the case, it can be frustrating and difficult to lose your spare car key.
The first thing you need to do is take a deep breath and try not to get stressed. Keep in mind that your keys won't be lost forever. You are still able to find them with some thorough searching! It's also a good idea to have an emergency plan by calling a professional car locksmith, just in case.
Once you've calmed yourself down and gained control over your emotions, it's time to start searching for your keys. You can trace the steps you took, by thinking back to where you last seen them. It's much simpler than you think, especially if you can close your eyes and imagine the location where you last was able to see them.
Start by thinking about where they might be. Include your home, car, and any other common areas you've visited throughout the daytime. You can ask your family or friends to assist you in your look for. This will give you more eyes!
Check the driver's door handle and the center console of your vehicle to see if there is an extra. Look through any bags or pockets that you might have carried with you during the daytime. It's not unusual for keys to be "lost" in the car, so make sure to look thoroughly in the compartments of your car!
Check Your Hideouts
No matter how careful you are in your vehicle, keys to your car are a bit difficult to keep track of. It's among the most common items to be misplaced, and it can quickly become a nightmare if aren't vigilant. If you've lost your car keys, there are some things to do before contacting a locksmith.
Before you frantically search for keys that have disappeared you should check the places where you usually place keys. If you have a keyholder near the door or keys on a table, check these locations first. You may also ask someone nearby for help, such as an employee or a fellow customer. They may have spotted them in the midst of your shopping trip, or found them while cleaning up.
It can be convenient to keep spare keys hidden in your car. If the hood of your car can be opened externally it is important to place the spare key in a secure area so that it won't be crushed when the hood is closed. Mini-vaults and magnetic boxes may be affixed to your vehicle to keep your keys secure and easily accessible.
You can also put keys that are spare in the tailpipe of your car, however, this is usually difficult to use and is not very discreet. You may also find that the tailpipe is covered with mud, snow or ice, making it difficult to locate the key.
Another place where people sometimes put their keys behind the tires. This is a great way to keep your keys hidden, but you should be aware that the tires of your car will be visible no matter what you wear.
You can also leave your spare key with an individual from your family or a trusted friend, particularly if you are traveling and you don't want to risk getting lost. However, if you have an proximity key, be cautious when leaving it with strangers as some thieves can make use of signal relay and amplifier technology to steal the signal from your key fob to unlock the car even if the key is miles away.
Look Inside Your Car
It's impossible to know which place you might lose something, and a key fob isn't an exception. It's therefore advisable to check everywhere. replacing lost car keys involves going back to the last place you remember using it then retracing your steps and reaching out to workers or owners of places you visited and may have lost it.
If you suspect that you have left keys in the car, you should check. Check the glove box as it is a popular place to store a spare key for your car. Also check the area under the front seats and the mysterious black hole in the car, which could swallow small items like key fobs.
You should also make sure that you check your backpacks and purses for any items you carry around that might contain a missing car key. You must carefully look through all compartments and pockets of your backpack or purse. Check for zippered areas, and then remove items like sunglasses and makeup from your bag to check under.
Call a locksmith if you've tried these steps and still cannot find your car keys. They'll be able to help you find the lost car keys and get you back on the road in no time.
A spare car key is an excellent way to avoid this stress But you should think about adding a Bluetooth key tracker to your keys so that they are easier to keep in check. These tiny devices are attached to your keys and emit a unique signature, allowing you to connect them to an app on your phone and track where they are at any time.
Another option is to contact your dealership and ask them to make a new car key for you. As they already have the security information for your car they'll be able to do this quickly. If you own a smart vehicle however, it might be more difficult since they'll need to pair the new key to your vehicle, which may take a little longer. It's important to always have an extra car key.
Call an expert locksmith
If you are unable to locate your car keys in an unlikely event, it is essential to contact an emergency locksmith. This will not only assist you get back into your vehicle but make sure that no one else has access to it. If you do not notify the lost key fob as soon as you can, it could lead to further issues later on - like someone trying to impersonate you.
The majority of modern vehicles require the use of a key fob to unlock and operate the vehicle. If you have lost your key fob, it is essential to have a spare prevent having for the car to be taken to the dealer and then having to pay for a new set of keys.
A locksmith can design an entirely new key for your vehicle without knowing the exact specifics of the security system. They can also disable the old key to ensure that it can't be used again. If you are unsure of what type of key your car requires the locksmith can typically determine this based on the information on your title or registration.
It is recommended to avoid the loss of your spare car keys by storing them in a safe place, separated from your keychain or lanyard. This will make it less likely that you'll accidentally drop your keys or that they will slip out of your pocket.
You can also ward off the loss of an extra car key by jotting down your vehicle identification (VIN) number and keeping it with you. This unique code can help identify your vehicle and can be found on your dashboard or door jamb, frame or.
If you're looking to replace your car's spare key or minimize the chance of losing it in the first place, a local locksmith is the best choice for getting your life back on course. It's also less expensive than going to the dealership, and you might be able have the spare key made on-site.