Losing your car key can be a total pain. It can also be very expensive if you have to go through a dealer for replacement. But, if you follow the right steps and don’t panic (or do something silly out of frustration), it doesn’t have to be a total disaster.
You reach into your pocket to grab your car keys but find they are nowhere to be found. You retrace your steps and try to remember where you had them last. You look in your wallet, purse, and coat, but to no avail. Your heart starts racing and you start thinking of all the ways this could be a total disaster.
Unfortunately, losing your car keys is a reality that many people experience at one point in their lives. And, while you might be able to recover your keys when you realize they’ve gone missing, it’s best to avoid this problem altogether by having a spare in case of emergency.
The first thing to do when you lose your car keys is to retrace your steps and check nearby areas. Then, you can call a locksmith or the dealer to replace your keys. You’ll need to know the make, model and year of your vehicle, as well as the VIN, in order to get a new key. This information can be located on insurance cards or the vehicle’s title documents.
For older cars, the process of getting a new key can be relatively quick and easy. You can usually visit a local locksmith who can replace the keys within 20 minutes or less. For modern vehicles, however, you will need to contact your car’s dealer in order to replace the key and reprogram it to the immobilizer system.
You might be tempted to turn to the internet in search of answers, but there’s no guarantee that this will help you find your lost keys. There are many fake websites that offer cheap car keys for sale that won’t work, and some even have malware in them to track your data. This can lead to identity theft and other unpleasant situations, so be very careful when choosing a website to buy from.
Ultimately, it’s best to take your time and call a locksmith when you lose your car key. This is a service that they specialize in and can save you a lot of money and headache in the long run. They can also give you advice on how to keep your keys safe in the future so this doesn’t happen again.
If you’re worried about the cost of replacing your car keys, it’s worth checking with your auto club to see if you’re covered. Most providers will cover the cost of a lost key, so it’s best to plan ahead and be prepared for when the worst happens. You can also ask around to see if anyone has a spare key or fob that you can borrow in an emergency. lost car key