What to Do If You Lose Your Car Keys
It can be a hassle to lose your car keys. In the shuffle of school pick ups, shopping trips to the grocery store and other chores, things often are i lost the key to my car or misplaced.
Remember to not panic. Finding the key usually involves going back to your steps.
1. Retract Your Steps
It’s no secret that keys are one of the most popular items to misplace. It doesn’t matter if you’re running an errand and get distracted while getting out of your vehicle or you’re trying to get ready for the day and drop your keys in a rush, it can happen to anyone. If you’ve lost keys to your car There are a few things you can do before calling a locksmith for assistance.
In the beginning, you’ll need to go back and trace your steps. This can be challenging in a state of panic, but it’s important to keep track of where you last looked at your keys, as well as the places you visited after that. It might also be helpful to note down your steps, so that you can refer back to them later on.
If you’ve searched in obvious places and still aren’t able to locate your keys, you may need to look in other places. Check your pockets and bags and the house. Remember, your keys are likely to be close by – they’re just not in a convenient location. You can also find your keys by looking around other items they are usually paired with like bags, laptops, or a wallet.
If you have tried every option but you are still unable to locate your keys, then it’s time for an emergency locksmith who is available 24 hours per day. But before you call, consider these suggestions to avoid your keys disappearing in the future.
2. Find a spare key
It’s not unusual for car keys to disappear from pockets of coats, couch cushions or even all by themselves. In the past this wasn’t a huge deal since it was easy to find a new key at any hardware store or locksmith. But with advances in the field of key fob technology, it’s become much more difficult to find an alternative for keys that have been lost.
It is recommended to always have a spare car key on hand. You won’t need to call a tow-truck, and will be able to easily return your vehicle if you lose your key. It is advisable to have the spare key in a different place than your normal keychain so it’s not as easily misplaced. You should consider getting a spare if you don’t already own one. This will reduce the possibility of losing your keys.
Depending on the model of your car you may be able to have a traditional key made by a locksmith or a dealership. It is important to note that the dealer may i Have lost my car keys to program the key to match your specific vehicle.
A lot of modern vehicles are equipped with keyless entry systems which allows you to unlock your car using a remote control device. This is also referred to as a “fob.” If you lose your fob, the only solution to get your car running again is to visit the locksmith or dealer and ask them to pair a new fob with your vehicle. To prevent this from happening, try to keep a routine of keep your keys in the same location every time you get home. If it’s on the entry table or an empty bowl on your front porch, or even a hook on the door, it will help you remember where they are and how to find them in the future.
3. Empty your Pockets
Losing your car keys is an awful feeling. It can be a bit overwhelming and frantic if you lose your car keys.
Luckily, panicking won’t help you find your keys. It could cause more problems. Be calm and use the steps below to find your keys as fast as you can.
Begin by reminiscing about your day and recollecting the last place you visited them. If you can recall that they were in your pocket, make sure to check all of your pockets and bags thoroughly. You can also retrace your steps to determine whether you’ve seen them in any other places. You can also check your vehicle, but you’ll need to thoroughly search both the exterior and interior.
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t locate your car keys that you lost, it’s time to start more sophisticated searches. You can also look in your freezer and fridge. You’ll need to shut and open each of these appliances and check inside, since you never know where tiny objects might be hiding.
Attaching your keys to a long chain or lanyard can be a great way to prevent losing keys. This helps you keep track of them, and also make them more difficult to find because of the noise they make and the length of the chain or lanyard. It’s also helpful to put your keys in a bright hue so that they are noticeable against other items in your bag or pocket.
4. Contact the police
The first step to take after losing your keys is to call the police. It is essential to report lost car keys no spare keys to your car as soon you lose them to ensure you don’t run into problems with someone using your vehicle or entering your home. Apart from that, reporting the loss early can also benefit you with regard to insurance coverage since the majority of policies cover the cost of locksmith and even replacement keys at the dealership.
They’ll be able to let you know if they’ve discovered your keys or if they’ve been stolen when you contact them. They’ll also give you advice on preventative steps to take. If the keys aren’t found they’ll likely request information about when you lost them, and where you were prior to that.
Check your bags, pockets and other places where you typically carry the key. Once you’ve done this take a walk through your day and try to remember where you lost the keys. It’s possible that you put them down on a counter, or went into your bag to grab something and the keys were thrown out.
This can only be performed by the dealer if have a transponder working electronically. This could cost a few hundreds of dollars, based on the car’s model and brand. model. You can also call GEICO for emergency roadside assistance, which is always available via the GEICO app. This service will save you time and money by offering an emergency locksmith on the move for you.
5. Contact an expert locksmith
If you leave your keys in the trunk while running errands, they could be easily lost. This is a scenario that happens all too often, as keys to cars that are lost are the third most misplaced item in America1. You can’t prevent this from happening every day. But you can take steps to minimize your chance of losing them.
A spare key can aid, but it won’t guarantee that you will not lose the original. A keychain with a tracking device can help you locate your keys in the event that they disappear. A tracking device will send an alert to your smartphone when it detects the signal from your lost keys which makes it easier to locate.
If you’re unable to locate your car keys, you should call an locksmith to come and replace the keys. If you can provide evidence of ownership, such as the title or registration of your vehicle the locksmith can create keys for you.
Keys that are traditional are the easiest to replace. If you have a remote key fob, or smart key, you will need to contact your dealer to get one made. You can also purchase replacement keys online, but make sure to verify if the key you purchase can be programmed to the specific vehicle you own.
Losing your car key can be stressful, but it does not need to be. If you follow the steps given above, you can recover your keys and get back on the road. Be calm and not panic! Keep in mind that you’re not alone. Everyone has lost their keys at one point in time.