Lost Spare Car Key? Here's What to Do
It wasn't long ago that losing your car keys weren't an issue. You'd call your local locksmith, and they'd make a new one for you.
It's a bit more complicated today. It's all dependent on the type of key you've got and whether you've lost your spare. Here are a few tips to help you find your car keys.
Retract your steps
We all have things that go missing. Perhaps you're running an errand and forget to put your keys on the hook in the entryway, or you're just returning home from a long day at the office and throw them on the couch. Whatever the reason, it can be frustrating and stressful to lose your car key.
Take a deep breath, and don't be afraid. Remember that your keys aren't lost forever - you can still find them with an exhaustive search! It is also important to have a back-up plan, such as calling an auto locksmith.
After you've calmed down and gained control over your emotions, it's time to start searching for your keys. You can go back to the steps you took by thinking back to where you last observed them. It's easier than you think, particularly when you close your eyes and visualize the exact location you last observed the person.
Once you've thought about the last time you saw them, you can begin to look at each of the possible places they could be. This includes your car, your house and other places you've been to during the day. You could even ask your friends or family members to join the hunt to give you more eyes to see with!
Check the door handle of the driver and center console in your vehicle for indications of an unintentional spare. Examine any pockets or bags that you might have carried around with you throughout the daytime. It's not unusual for keys to be "lost" in the car, so make certain to check all of your vehicle's compartments!
Check Your Hideouts
Car keys can be difficult to locate, regardless of how meticulous or diligent you are. more.. 's among the most frequently lost items that can lose and can turn into a nightmare if you aren't careful. There are a few steps you could follow prior to calling a locksmith if you've misplaced your spare keys to your car.
Before you begin searching for your lost keys, it's worth checking the locations where you normally keep keys. If you have a key holder near the door or keys on a table, check these areas first. It's recommended to inquire with others in the area, for instance, a store worker or a fellow customer. They might have seen them in the midst of your shopping trip, or even found them while cleaning up.
Some people keep their spare keys in their car, and this could be a good alternative. If the hood of your car is able to be opened externally, it is important to place the spare key in a safe area so that it won't be crushed when the hood closes. There are also a range of magnetic boxes and mini-vaults that can be affixed to your car and keep your keys secure and easy to locate.
You could also put a spare key in the car's tailpipe, however this method is typically difficult to use and not very discrete. It is also possible that the tailpipe will be covered in snow or mud which makes it difficult to locate the key within.
Another spot where people often put their keys behind the tires. This can be a simple and effective method of keeping your keys safe, however it's important to keep in mind that your car's tires are visible regardless of what you're wearing. Therefore, this method isn't recommended for those who wear shorts or skirts.
You can leave your spare key with someone in your family or a trusted friend, particularly if you are traveling and you don't want to risk getting lost. However, if you have a proximity key, you should be careful about leaving it with strangers since certain thieves may use signal relay and amplifier technology to snoop on the signal from your key fob and unlock your car even when the key is miles away.
Check Inside Your Car
It's impossible to know the exact location where you could lose something, and a key fob is no different. Therefore, it's best to check everywhere. This includes going back to the first location you used it, retracing your steps, and contacting workers or owners of the places you visited and may have lost it at.
If you believe that you've left keys in your car, you need to check. This includes checking the glove box (it's the most common location to store keys for a spare car) as well as the area beneath the front seats, and that mysterious black hole in cars that could swallow a small item such as keys or a fob.
Check any purses or bags that you might have, as they could contain keys that were lost. You will need to carefully look through all compartments and pockets of your backpack or purse. Look for lost vehicle keys and remove items like makeup and sunglasses from your bag to check under.
If you've tried all these steps and still cannot find your car keys, you need to call locksmith. They can assist you in replacing keys that are lost in your car, and get you on the road again in no time.
A spare car key can be an excellent way to stay out of this stressful situation, but you should also think about adding a Bluetooth key tracker to your keys so that they're easier to keep an eye on. These tiny devices are attached to your keys and emit an unique signature, so you can connect them to an app on your smartphone and see where they are at any time.
You can also call your dealer and ask them to make an entirely new key for you. Since they already have the security information for your car and can complete the process quickly. It could be more difficult if you have a smart vehicle as they will need to pair the key with your car. This can take a while. It is essential to have an extra car key.
Contact for a locksmith
In the unlikely event that you are unable to locate your car keys, it is essential to call a locksmith as soon as possible. Not only will this help you to get into your car, but it will also ensure that no one else has access. If you don't report the loss of your car keys immediately this could lead to further problems down the road - such as someone trying to impersonate yourself.
Modern vehicles require a keyfob in order to unlock and operate them. If you have lost your key fob, it is crucial to have a spare in order to avoid having to pay to have the car taken to the dealer and then pay for a new set of keys.
A locksmith can design a new key for you car without knowing the exact details of its security system. They can also disable the previous key to ensure that it can't be used again. If you are unsure of what type of car key you require, a locksmith can usually determine this based on the information on your title or registration.
It is best to avoid the loss of your spare car keys by storing them in a secure spot separate from your lanyard or keychain. This will make it much less likely that you'll accidentally drop your keys or that they will escape from your pocket.
You can also prevent the loss of the spare car key by writing down your vehicle identification (VIN) number and keeping it in your wallet. It is a unique code that helps identify your vehicle, and it is located on the driver's dashboard the door jamb or frame of your vehicle.
A local locksmith can help you get back on track, whether you need to replace your spare car key or reduce the likelihood that it could be lost. It's also less costly than going through a dealership, and you might be able to get the spare key made on site.