What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key
Things are lost in the chaos of life: kids, errands and work socializing with friends, etc. Sometimes it's the small stuff like keys.
A new key for most cars can be made in your local hardware store if you have proof of ownership. This is a cost-effective alternative.
Retract your Steps
It's a pain to lose your car's only keys and not be able to enter your vehicle. It can cost you time, money and peace of mind. The first thing to do when you lose the only key to your car is to be calm. Stressing yourself out will not help you find your keys quicker and could cause more damage.
Try to remember when you last observed them. You might have lost them when you brought in groceries or put them in your pocket when you ran an errand. Retracing your steps can assist you in finding your keys in no time at all.
If retracing steps doesn't work, try writing every place you went to during the day. This will help you remember where you were and could provide you with clues as to where your keys are. After you've written down all possible spots your keys could be, double examine each location. Sometimes, keys "drift" to the floor, side or even under something and you might just be in a position to retrieve them right where you left them.
Check Inside Your Car
It wasn't that long ago that misplacing, or losing a car key was not a big deal. Most people had a spare attached to the car in a small box that was tacked to the inside of the bumper. Nevertheless, as cars become more technologically advanced keys are more likely now to get lost. Replacing a lost or stolen car key can involve several steps and could cost you hundreds of dollars, based on the kind of vehicle and year of the model. It's why it's essential to have a backup key in case you ever do lose your only car key.
Before you begin to panic about losing your sole car key Take an exhale and try to stay calm. Once you've calmed down, you can work through the steps to locate it. Follow your steps and try to remember when you last held your keys. It's not unusual to carry your keys as you grab other things, and often they end in the back of your car where you don't even see them.
The next thing to do is to thoroughly search your car, particularly the areas where you typically keep them. You may have left them on the dashboard when you got out of your car to run to a store, or perhaps you reached into your bag to grab snacks and accidentally threw them out of there.
Check your pockets, purses and bags. You might not be aware of your deep pockets or large bags.
Contact a locksmith when you're unable to find your keys. If you own an old-fashioned metal key that has no electronic components, a locksmith could usually make you an entirely new key on the spot. If you have a key fob with a chip and it is a newer model, you will have to contact the dealer to request a new one.
Check Your Hiding Spots
It's easy to lose your keys when you're busy. It doesn't matter if you were rushing to leave, distracted by a sandwich while you talked on the phone, or you forgot them, it's easy to lose them. It's a good thing that most people keep an extra key at their home or workplace that they can easily locate. If you have an extra key, it is important to look over all the places where you have previously stored the keys. This includes obvious places such as a backpack or purse, a pocket inside the sofa, a stack of mail on the table, or even a drawer in your dresser. If you have a companion with you ask them to look over these same spots as well.
There are also magnetic boxes and mini vaults that you can stick on your car to store your spare keys. These are perfect for hiding keys, as they won't fall off when you drive over bumps, and will shield your keys from the elements. Many of these storage units come with combination locks, meaning that even if a friend has access to the key but they aren't capable of opening it without your help.
Another popular trick for hiding keys is to purchase fake rocks with a hidden compartment. This is a great option for outdoor areas. However, car keys lost no spare must be aware that burglars are often looking for these items. If you do decide to use this method you can try using dark duct tape to make it more difficult for thieves to see.
The hood is one last place to check. It's a good spot to conceal a key for the gas cap if you have one. It won't be seen. Use a heavy-duty tape to keep the key from falling off or scratching the paint on your car when you remove it.
Lost car keys can be a huge hassle, but there are ways to minimize their impact on your day-to-day life. You can locate your keys by retracing your steps and examining the most likely hiding spots. Contacting a locksmith in your area can save you time and money.
Call a Locksmith
If you lose your car keys and you've lost it, you must contact locksmith. They can help you recover the lost key quickly, and give you advice on how to avoid this repeating itself in the future. You can also try contacting an auto key duplicate business. However, they will need the exact type, make, and year of your car to duplicate the key.
If your car is an older model, or utilizes a smart key fob you'll need to go to your dealer for a new replacement. This can be costly and especially if you need to purchase the right key for your vehicle, and it can take days or even weeks.
Many people are unaware that a locksmith can offer the same service for a fraction the cost of a dealership. A lot of insurance policies cover locksmith costs and towing in the event of a lost or stolen keys. Some even provide roadside assistance that can provide professionals to assist you in getting into your car.
If you have comprehensive automobile insurance, it's worth looking over your coverage prior to making a decision to purchase from a dealership. It's essential to inform your car's owner as soon as possible, too. This will ensure that your vehicle is not used without permission and you will be protected in the event of a robbery or assault. By notifying your keys, you will also inform police about anyone who might attempt to use your vehicle illegally. In the worst-case scenario, this could also shield you from criminal charges in the event that someone tries to take your car. It is important to not be frightened if you lose the keys to your car. Instead, try the steps above and ask for the help of a family member if needed.