Lost Spare Car Key? Here's What to Do
It wasn't that long ago that losing your car keys was not an problem. You could contact your local locksmith and they would create an appropriate replacement key for you.
Nowadays, it's more complex. It depends on what kind of key you've got and the possibility of losing your spare. Here are a few tips to help you find your car keys.
Retract your steps
We all have things that go missing. You could be on the run for a few minutes and you've forgotten to hang your keys in the entryway. Or you might be returning home after a long day at work and throw them on the couch. Whatever the case it can be a hassle and stressful to lose your spare car key.
Take a deep breath and don't be afraid. You'll be able to locate your keys if search for them with enough effort. Also, you should have a back-up plan, such as calling an auto locksmith.
After you've calmed down and have regained control over your emotions, it's time to start looking for your keys. You can trace the steps you took by imagining back to the last time you saw them. It's a lot more simple than you think, particularly if can close your eyes and imagine the spot where you last was able to see them.
Start by imagining where they could be. This includes your car, the house, and other common areas that you might have visited throughout the day. You could ask your family or friends to assist you in your find your way. This will give you more eyes!
When you're looking in your car, check the door handle of the driver's side and the center console for indications of an extra key. Also, be sure to check any bags or pockets you might have been carrying with you throughout the day. It's not unusual for keys to be "lost" in the car, so be certain to check all of your vehicle's compartments!
Check Your Hideouts
No matter how careful you are the keys to your car can be a bit tricky to keep track of. It's among the most common items to lose and can become a nightmare if you aren't vigilant. There are some steps you can do prior to calling a locksmith if you've misplaced your spare car keys.
Before you frantically search for keys that have disappeared, it's worth checking the places where you usually put them. If you have a key holder near the door or keys on a table, make sure you check these locations first. You could also ask someone nearby, such as an employee or a customer. They might have seen them in the chaos during your shopping trip, or found them when they were cleaning up.
It is possible to keep spare keys hidden in your car. If lost vehicle keys of your car can be opened from the outside, it is crucial to place the spare key in a secure nook so that it won't be smashed when the hood is closed. There are also a range of mini-vaults and magnetic boxes that can be affixed to your vehicle and keep your keys secure and easy to locate.
You could also put keys that are spare inside the car's tailpipe however, this is usually difficult to implement and not very discrete. It's also possible that your tailpipe will be covered with snow or mud and it will be difficult to find the key inside.
Another location where people may hide their keys is behind the tires. This is a great way to conceal your keys, but you should be aware that the tires of your car are visible regardless of what you wear.
You can also leave your spare key with someone in your family or a trusted friend, especially if you are traveling and you don't want it to get lost. If you have an auto key that is proximity, don't leave it with strangers. Some thieves use signal relay technology and amplifiers to elude the key fob's signal to unlock your car, even if it's miles away.
Take a look inside Your Car
It's impossible to know where you might lose something, and a key fob isn't an exception. It's therefore advisable to look everywhere. It's important to go back to the spot where you last used it, retrace your steps and get in touch with owners or workers at the place where you might have lost it.
If you think that you've lost keys in your car, you should check. Examine the glove box, which is a common location to keep a spare key for your car. Also check the area beneath the front seats as well as the mysterious black hole in the car, which could swallow small items like keys.
It is also important that you check your backpacks and purses for any items that you carry with you, as they could be hiding a lost car key. This requires you to carefully search through all compartments and pockets of your backpack or purse and looking for zippered areas, and even removing items like makeup and sunglasses from your bag and looking underneath.
Call a locksmith if you've tried all of these steps and are still unable to locate your car keys. They'll be able to assist you find the lost car keys and get you back on the road in no time.
A spare car key can be the ideal solution to avoid this stressful situation, but you should also think about adding a Bluetooth key tracker to your keys, so you can keep in check. These tiny devices attach directly to your keys, and emit an unique signature. You can then connect them to your smartphone to track their location throughout the day.
You can also reach out to your dealer and ask them to make your new key. Since they already have the security details for your car they'll be able to do this quickly. It may be a bit more difficult if you own a smart vehicle as they will need to pair the key with your car. This can take a bit of time. It's essential to always have a spare car key.
Call a locksmith
If you're unable to locate your car keys in an unlikely scenario, it is essential to contact a locksmith right away. This will not only help you get back in your car but also ensure that no one else has access to the key. If you don't notify the lost key fob right away it could result in more issues later on - like an impersonation attempt by someone else.
Most modern cars require a key fob in order to unlock and operate the vehicle. If you have lost your key fob it is important to have a spare to prevent having for the car to be towed to the dealer and then paying for a new set of keys.
A locksmith can create an entirely new key for your vehicle without knowing the exact specifics of the security system. They can also be able to disable the key that was previously used and ensure that no one else can use it again. A locksmith can tell you what type of car key you require according to the information on your registration or title.
To keep your keys that you don't have lost, it is best to keep them in a secure place away from your keychain. This will lessen the chances that you'll drop your keys or be thrown out of your pocket.
You can also avoid the loss of the spare car key by jotting down your vehicle identification (VIN) number and keeping it in your wallet. This unique code can help identify your vehicle and can be found on your dashboard, door jamb or frame.
A local locksmith can help you get back on the right track, whether you need to replace your spare car key or reduce the likelihood of it being lost. It's also less expensive than a trip to the dealer and you might be able have the spare key created on-site.