Learn More About Lost Car Key While Working From The Comfort Of Your Home
How to Recover a Lost Car Key
The loss of your car key could be a very stressful experience. Be calm and remember that losing your car keys is not a big deal.
Unlike traditional keys that just opened doors and turned the ignition keys of today have smart technology. It is important to be aware of what to do if you lose yours to ensure that you don't need to pay a costly fee for a replacement.
Retract Your Steps
The loss of a car key is an absolute nightmare for any driver. There are several options to get your keys back.
It is recommended to retrace your steps. It may sound simple but it could be very effective in finding the keys you lost. It is possible that you dropped them in a flurry and forgot about them. You can retrace your steps to remember where you were last time you saw them. You should also look for locations you've been to recently even if you don't normally keep your keys in there. It's possible that your keys have fallen out of a purse or bag and are buried somewhere that you didn't think of.
Trackers are a great method to locate lost keys. The device is small and attaches to your keys. You can then use an app to locate the keys. This is only possible if your keys have an electronic component, such as a remote key fob.
Contacting a locksmith near you is the next step if you don't own a tracking device, or if you cannot locate your keys. They'll be able to assist you in creating a brand new key and reprogram it to your vehicle's immobilizer system. However this service is usually expensive and can cost you a few hundred dollars.
Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, you might be required to take a towed vehicle to the dealership in order to get replacement keys. It is recommended to keep an extra key in your possession and take preventative measures to stop losing keys in the first place.
The most important thing to remember when you've lost your car keys is to remain calm. It's easy to panic when you can't find your keys, but it'll be much more difficult to locate them if you start shouting at yourself. If you haven't found your keys in a reasonable amount of time, it could be time to call an expert locksmith or visit the dealership. No matter what you decide to do, be sure you inform your insurance company that you're insured so they can assist if something happens to your vehicle in the future.
Check Your Hide Spots
It's crucial to pick the location where passers-by will not be in a position to see your spare key. If you don't, you're creating an easy target for thieves. A plant pot or a flower box is the usual place where many people keep their extra keys, but this could be a huge mistake. If a burglar gets the keys, he may also find valuables like your wallet.
Another popular hiding place is behind the door, however this can be tricky to access if you're locked out. Special locks that resemble regular locks and are attached to the door's interior are available, but they can be costly. It is possible to hide the key in grass or under a mat. Some people also make fake rocks that appear ordinary but have a hidden compartment for the key.
It is not unusual to keep the key in the car. However, this could be risky. This trick is well-known to thieves, who might be able to access the gas cap on the outside. If you are worried about this, you should purchase an magnetic key holder to attach to the underside your vehicle. It resembles a license plate but is designed to hide the spare key.
Garages are another great place to hide your key, especially if have a detached garage. If you don't have a ladder the key that is hidden in a corner in the side of your garage is out of view.
Vinyl siding can also be an excellent hiding spot, as there are often small splits where you can slide the key. Be lost auto key to secure a piece of clear fishing line to the key and slide it into the siding until just a tiny bit is showing. This will stop the key from sliding out if you accidentally bump it while searching for it.
You can also nail the spare key to the base of an erect tree branch if have many trees on your property. If you reside in an area that has many trees, this is a great alternative. Most people won't even think about looking here for keys.
Try turning off the car.
In the past the loss of your car key was not a major issue. Locksmiths could be called to help and the cost was usually around $20. Today, cars are becoming more and more advanced in technology which makes them more expensive to replace.
To start the engine in a modern automobile, there is a special computer chip that communicates with the vehicle's ECU. The car won't start without this chip. This is why it's crucial to ensure that you have the proper key for your vehicle.
If you have an older model traditional key, you may be able find it in the lock and still start your vehicle. If this doesn't work, you may need to call a locksmith to create a new one or contact your car dealership.
Another option is starting the car with an extra key. Many new manual vehicles have spare keys key, so this could be your best bet. This is a riskier option and will be dependent on your car, but it might work.
This technique requires some technical expertise and a toolbox. It also involves removing a part of the engine and isn't recommended for anyone. It's better to leave it to a professional to take care of this type of work particularly since you'll be ignoring a lot of the safety features that are in the vehicle.
A backup car key is always an ideal option in the event you lose your original. The most affordable option is to have traditional keys made, however you can also buy a transponder or smart key. These are more expensive to replace and will require an excursion to the dealer to purchase a new one that has connected electronically to your vehicle.
Take a look back at your day
Everyone has had this experience: you lose your car keys. It's among the most frustrating things you can do since it immediately ruins your day. You'll be late for work and your chores aren't getting done. You may even need to pay to replace the key fob in case you rent a vehicle. It doesn't have to be like this. Follow these easy tips to avoid losing your keys ruining your day.
Don't panic first. Breathing deeply can aid in calming down and clear your mind. You can also note your location to return to find out where you left your keys.
If you are unable to remember where they were go back through your day. If you've lost your keys while running out for errands or shopping, return and look over each stop. Did you place them on a counter? Maybe you were picking something out of your bag and they got knocked loose. Try to remember exactly where you were when you saw them.
After you've gone back through your day, check everywhere else. You may have left them in a pocket of your jacket or in a bag you carried around. Make sure to search in places you would never think of, such as pockets on other people's clothing or beneath cushions on your sofa.
If you're still unable to locate your car keys, consider asking for help from someone. Ask your friends whether they've seen them, or even better contact locksmith. The one thing you do not want to do is having to pay for a replacement key, or more traumatically, having your car stolen. A professional can help you get your keys back quickly and efficiently. It's also a good idea for you to keep a spare car key, so be sure to keep it in a secure location.