Lost Spare Car Key? Here's What to Do
A few years ago, losing your car keys wasn't a big deal. You could call your local locksmith and they would create keys for you to replace.
Nowadays, it's more complex. It's all dependent on the type of key you have, and whether you've lost your spare. Here are some tips to assist you in finding your car keys.
Retract Your Steps
Sometimes, we all misplace things. You might be out for a quick errand, and you forget to hang your keys in the entryway. Or, you may be returning back from a long working day and throw them on the couch. Whatever the reason it can be very frustrating and stressful to lose your spare car key.
The first thing to do is take a deep breath and try not to get stressed. Remember that your keys aren't lost forever. You can still find them with an extensive search! It's also a good idea to have an emergency plan for emergencies, like calling a professional locksmith for your car in the event of a need.
Once you've cooled down and regained control over your emotions, you can begin searching for your keys. You can retrace the steps you took, by thinking about the last time you seen them. It's more simple than you think, particularly if can shut your eyes and imagine the spot where you last was able to see them.
Begin by thinking about where they could be. This includes your car, your home and any other common places that you may have visited during the day. You could ask your family or friends to help you search. G28 will help you see more!
When you're looking in your car, look at the handle on the driver's side of the door and the center console for signs of the spare key. Examine any pockets or bags that you might have carried around with you throughout the daytime. It's not common for keys to become "lost" in the car, so be sure to look thoroughly in all of your vehicle's compartments!
Check Your Hideouts
Car keys are difficult to locate, regardless of how meticulous or diligent you are. They're among the most frequently lost objects, and they can quickly become a nightmare in a second of inattention. There are a few steps you could take before calling a locksmith in case you've lost your spare car keys.
Before you begin searching for keys that have disappeared you should check the areas where you typically keep keys. If you have a key holder by the door or a key bowl on a table, make sure you check the places first. It's recommended to ask other people who live nearby for help, such as a store worker or a fellow customers. They may have spotted them in the midst of your shopping trip, or spotted them when they were cleaning up.
Some people hide their spare keys in their car, and this may be a good alternative. If the hood of your car is able to be opened externally, it is crucial to place the spare key in a secure area so that it won't be smashed when the hood is closed. Magnetic boxes and mini-vaults can be attached to your vehicle, keeping your keys safe and easily accessible.
You can also put a spare car key in the tailpipe of your car but this isn't very discreet and could be difficult to use. You might also notice that the tailpipe is covered in ice, snow or mud making it difficult to locate the key.
Behind the tires is a different place people hide their keys. This can be a simple and effective method to keep your keys hidden, but it's important to remember that your car's tires are visible no matter what you're wearing, therefore this method isn't recommended for those who wear shorts or skirts.
You can also leave your spare key with someone in your family or a trusted friend, especially if traveling and you don't want to risk getting lost. However, if you own a proximity key, you should be cautious about leaving it with strangers as some thieves could utilize signal relays and amplifier technology to steal the signal from your key fob and unlock your car, even when the key is a long distance away.
Check Inside Your Car
There's no way to know when you'll lose something, particularly a key fob, so it's important to check every possible location. This involves going back to the first place you've used it, retracing your steps, and reaching out to workers or the owners of places you've been to and could have lost it.
If you suspect that you've left keys in your car, you need to check. This includes checking the glove box (it's an ideal location to store keys for a spare car) and the space under the front seats, and the elusive black hole in cars that could swallow a small object like the key fob.
Examine any bags or purses that you carry around for any bags or purses, as they could be containing keys that have been lost. This will require carefully searching through all compartments and pockets of your purse or backpack and scouting for zippered areas, and even taking items such as makeup and sunglasses from your bag in order to see under.
If you've done all these things and still can't find your car keys, it's time to contact locksmith. They can assist you in replacing lost car keys, and get you on the road again in the shortest amount of time.
You can prevent this from happening by having a spare car key. But you should also add a Bluetooth tracker to your key to make it easier to keep track of them. These tiny devices attach to your keys and emit a unique signature, allowing you to connect them to an app on your smartphone and be aware of where they are at all times.
You can also call your dealer and ask them to make an entirely new key for you. As they already have the security details for your car they'll be able to do this quickly. It could be more challenging if you have an intelligent vehicle since they'll need to pair the key to your car. This can take some time. It's important to always have an extra car key.
Call a Locksmith
If you are unable to locate your car keys in the unlikely event, it's imperative that you contact an emergency locksmith. Not only will this assist you gain entry into your vehicle, but it will also ensure that nobody else has access. If you don't report the loss of your car key immediately, it could lead you to other problems later on - for instance, someone trying to impersonate yourself.
Modern vehicles require a keyfob to unlock and operate them. If you lose your key fob, it is crucial to have a spare to prevent having to have the car towed to the dealer and then having to pay for a new set of keys.
A locksmith will be able to create a replacement key for your vehicle without having to know the exact specifications of your car's security system. They'll also be able disable the original key, so that no one can use it again. Locksmiths can tell you which car key you need from the information in your registration or title.
To prevent your spare keys from getting lost, it's best to keep them in a safe place separate from your keychain. This will make it less likely that you'll accidentally drop your keys or that they escape from your pocket.
Another way to prevent the loss of your spare car key is to record your vehicle identification number (VIN) and keep it with you at all at all times. This unique code can help identify your vehicle and is usually found on your dashboard, door jamb or frame.
Whether you need to replace a car key or simply want to lower the risk of losing it altogether A locksmith in your neighborhood is the best option for getting your life back on track. It's also cheaper than going to the dealership and you might even be able to get the spare key made on-site.