Lost Spare Car Key? Here's What to Do
It wasn't long ago that losing your car keys wasn't a big issue. You'd contact your local locksmith, and they'd make a new one for you.
It's a bit more complicated now. It's all dependent on the kind of key you've got and the possibility of losing your spare. Here are some tips to help you locate your car keys.
Retract your steps
We all lose things. You may be running a quick errand and forget to hang your keys in the entryway. Or, you may be coming home after a long day at work and throw them on the couch. It can be a hassle to lose your spare key.
Take a deep breath, and don't be afraid. You'll still be able to find your keys if you search for them with enough effort. It's important to have an emergency plan, such as calling a professional car locksmith in the event of a need.
Once you've gotten your head in order and gained control over your emotions, it's time to start looking for your keys. You can go back to the steps you took by thinking back to where you last observed them. It's much easier than you might think, particularly if you can shut your eyes and imagine the location where you last observed them.
Start by imagining where they might be. Include your home, car and any other popular areas you have visited during the day. You could ask your family or friends to assist you in your search. This will give you more eyes!
Examine the handle on the driver's door and center console in your vehicle to see if there is an unintentional spare. Look through any bags or pockets that you may have carried with you during the daytime. Check all the compartments in your car. It's normal for keys to become "lost" inside.
Check Your Hideouts
However careful you are the keys to your car are a bit difficult to keep track of. It's among the most common items to be lost and can turn into a nightmare if you aren't vigilant. There are a few steps you could do prior to calling a locksmith in case you've lost your keys to your car.
It's important to check where you normally keep your keys before searching for them. Examine the key bowl or holder on your table. You can also ask someone else nearby, such as an employee or a friend of yours. They may have spotted them in the midst of your shopping trip, or even found them when cleaning up.
Some people keep their spare keys in their car, and this could be a convenient option. If the hood of your car is able to be opened externally, it is important to place the spare key in a safe place so that it will not be crushed when the hood is closed. Mini-vaults and magnetic boxes may be attached to your car to keep your keys secure and easily accessible.
You can also place the spare car key into the tailpipe of your car however this isn't extremely discreet and may be difficult to use. It is also possible that the tailpipe is covered with mud, snow or ice, making it difficult to locate the key.
Behind the tires is a different place people hide their keys. This is a great way to hide your keys however, you must be aware that the tires of your vehicle are visible regardless of the clothes you wear.
It's also possible to leave your spare car keys with a trusted family member, especially when you're on the road and do not want to risk losing it. However, if you own a proximity key, be cautious when leaving it with strangers since some thieves could utilize signal relays and amplifier technology to snoop on the signal from your key fob and unlock your car, even if the key is miles away.
Take a look inside Your Car
There's no telling how you'll lose something, especially keys, so it's important to check every possible location. It's crucial to return to the location where you first used it, and retrace your steps, and then contact the owners or workers at the place where you may have lost it.
If you suspect that you've lost your keys in the car, you should check. This involves looking in the glove compartment (it's a common storage space for 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 keys or a fob.
Check any purses or bags that you carry around for any bags or purses, as they could be containing keys that were lost. You must carefully look through all compartments and pockets of your purse or backpack. Feel around for areas with zippers and take items such as makeup and sunglasses from your bag in order to examine the contents beneath.
If you've done all these things and still can't find your car keys, it's time to contact a locksmith. They can assist you in replacing lost car keys , and get you back on the road again in no time.
A spare car key is a great way to avoid this stress, but you should also consider adding a Bluetooth key tracker to your keys so that they're easier to keep an eye on. These tiny devices are attached to your keys and emit an unique signature, which allows you to connect them to an application on your phone to track where they are at all times.
You can also contact your dealer and ask them to create your new key. They'll likely be able to complete the task quickly, since they have your car's security details on file. If you own a smart car, however, it may be more challenging as they'll need to connect the new key to your vehicle, which may take a bit longer. This is why it's important to have a spare car key!
Contact a Locksmith
In the event that you are unable to locate your car keys, it's important to call locksmith as soon as you can. This will not only assist you get back in your car but make sure that no one else has access to the key. If you don't notify the lost key fob right away it could result in other issues down the line for instance, someone trying to impersonate you.
Modern cars require a keyfob to unlock and operate them. It is essential to keep a spare key fob in case you lose yours. This will prevent you from having to pay for the vehicle to be tow and then buy a new set.
A locksmith can design a new key for your vehicle without knowing the exact specifics of the security system. They can also be able to disable the original key, so that nobody can use it again. Locksmiths can tell you what type of car key you require from the information in your registration or title.
It is best to prevent the loss of your car keys by keeping them in a secure location, away from your lanyard or keychain. This will make it less likely that you'll accidentally drop your keys or that they will disappear from your pocket.
You can also avoid the loss of an extra car key by jotting down your vehicle identification (VIN) number and keeping it in your wallet. It is a unique code that helps identify your car, and it is located on the dashboard of the driver's side or door jamb frame of your vehicle.
A local locksmith can help you get back on course, whether you want to replace your car's spare key or decrease the chance of it being lost. It's also less expensive than going to the dealership and you may be able to have the spare key made on-site.