Losing your car keys can be extremely stressful. There are a variety of ways you can replace them.
Begin by locating them yourself. Examine your bags, pockets and even the whole house.
Make sure to bring proof of ownership with you before you visit a dealership or locksmith. This could be your car’s title or registration. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It’s beneficial to have a spare key for your car since losing them can be expensive and stressful. While it’s not as easy as it was in the past to get a spare car key, there are many ways to get one.
Contacting the dealership is the most efficient method to get a spare key. Dealerships maintain records of security information for each vehicle and can quickly find your key in their database. However, they’ll require a key for you as well as join it to your car. It could cost between $200 and $500 based on the location, the dealership and model of your car.
Another option is to have a locksmith make you a standard key. This is a less expensive alternative to going to the dealer, especially if you have an older car which doesn’t come with an advanced key. Make sure to check your warranty and insurance policy or auto club membership for details on how to pay.
The majority of cars today use a sophisticated key, which is much more expensive to replace than a standard key. They have a transponder chip that communicates with the vehicle’s system to allow the vehicle to start and unlock the engine. If you lose your smart key, it needs to be paired back to your vehicle which can only be done at the dealership.
It’s important to remember that if your vehicle is on lease, the dealer might have you turn in two sets of keys and key fobs after the lease expires. It is crucial to have an extra set of keys and key fobs just in case this occurs.
It’s more expensive to get a spare key, but it is still worth it if you want to save yourself from stress and expensive repairs in the future. It’s best to be ready for any scenario. Keep the spare key in a safe location and know what you need to do if your keys get lost.
2. Call a locksmith
It’s no secret losing your car keys is a pain. It can be very frustrating to discover that you’ve forgotten your spare car keys in the back of your car, whether you’re at a gas station, grocery store, or on your way home after work. Luckily, there are a few ways to replace your keys without having to pay the locksmith or dealership.
If you have an old lock, like a double-edged one you can purchase an alternative one at your local hardware store for less than $10. However, you’ll have to provide evidence of ownership, like the registration of your vehicle or title. If you have a more technologically advanced key, like a remote fob or smart key, it may be harder to replace. It is possible to contact an individual locksmith or the manufacturer to have an entirely new key.
Most modern vehicles utilize a transponder key that needs to be programmed by the computer in the vehicle. This can be accomplished by a locksmith, however it is more expensive than replacing the standard key. You could also try to reset your key following the directions in the owner’s manual however, it can be difficult and time-consuming, and it isn’t always successful.
If you have a designated spot to keep your keys, you can lower the risk of them being lost. You can hang a key holder by your door, or put them in a bowl on tables. It is always a good idea to keep a key ring close to you so you know where your keys will be. You can also declutter your home or office space because a messy area is a higher risk that you’ll lose things. Remember that even if your keys aren’t lost, you could forget them. It’s essential to have an emergency plan in case this occurs. It’s better to be prepared than to be stuck on the side of the road!
3. Contact for a Towing Service
If you are the type of person who is constantly losing your car keys, it’s a good idea to get a spare. These are fairly cheap and simple to keep on hand and will save you a lot of anxiety in the near future. A lot of newer cars have safety features that make it harder to secure yourself. Check out the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle with this feature, or think about changing your vehicle to one with this feature.
While there are many ways to get your car keys replaced, the details will depend on the kind of key you have and the way it was lost. If you have a conventional key that is not digitally programmed, a locksmith can replace it. A smart key can make the process more complicated. The dealer will need to verify your VIN and provide proof ownership for a new key, which can take a few weeks.
Car rental companies usually don’t keep spare keys in their facilities However, they’ll often collaborate with you to get the issue solved. Hertz offers a lost-key service as part of its premium roadside assistance plan. This service is only offered if you do not purchase additional roadside coverage.
If you can’t receive assistance from your rental company, or not having an emergency roadside service plan in place, you’ll need to call an emergency locksmith or towing service. Both can get you back in your car and back on the road, but each have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is important to look into both options and keep contact information of both providers on hand just in case. Also, make sure you avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means you should always keep them in the same spot.
4. Call an Repair Shop
If you’ve lost your keys to your car, it’s recommended to have a plan for getting back in your vehicle. In the past, misplacing your car key or losing it was just a minor annoyance. Nowadays, this can be a major issue. The good part is that if aware of it, getting the spare car key cost car key you need isn’t nearly as difficult and costly as it used to be.
It is first necessary to identify the type of key your vehicle is using. The traditional keys with an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition are simple to replace. A standard key without a chip will cost of spare car key between $10 to $12. However, more recent automobiles use keys with built-in security chips that have to be programmed into the car to unlock the doors or start it. Keys replacement for these cars can cost up to $200.
The chips can be reprogrammed at a local dealership however the process is a bit complicated and requires specialized equipment. Locksmiths may also be able perform this service but it’s crucial to find one who has the proper skills and experience.
A key cutting shop like AutoZone is also a possibility. A worker will trace the contours of the working key. This way they’ll be able to cut an entirely new key that is in line with the original key’s cut. The only drawback is that you will not be able drive your vehicle until the new key is cut and programmed.
If you’d like to try this method, you will require your driver’s license as well as proof of ownership. A locksmith or dealer can decode the VIN number on these documents to find the code required to connect a new key to your vehicle.
You can also save on the programming costs by having a new key cut and then attempting to reset it yourself. The instructions are available in the owner’s guide or online.
