How to Avoid Losing Your Car Keys
It can be a major trouble to lose your car keys. There are fortunately, a variety of steps you can take to stop this from happening.
Keep your car keys safe by using traditional key chains or by decluttering your office or home. If you require more intricate keys, contact your locksmith or dealer.
Retract your Steps
The process of tracing your steps will help you locate your keys. This may seem like a dated piece of advice, but it is extremely useful in finding lost items. First, go back to where you last had your keys. For instance, if dropped them when getting out of your car, check your garage and driveway to see if they're there. If you place them on the table in the kitchen, be sure to check under all the things that may have fallen on it.
If retracing steps does not work, take a note of the entire day's activities to help you remember where your keys could be. This could also help you narrow down your search.
Make sure you are aware of your hiding spots
Losing your keys is a terrible feeling especially if you're late. It's easy to become distracted and forget to put them somewhere in your home and then forget where they are. It is important to place your keys back in the same place after you've used them. This way they'll become a habit and you'll know where to find them in the future.
Begin by retracing the steps you took and checking common places you might have left your keys. This includes counters, tables, and hooks for keys. car key lost no spare can also look in bags and pockets to see if any have been taken out.
Make sure you examine the inside of your vehicle. It's not common for people to put their keys in a bag or compartment in the car. If your keys come with fobs, it's an excellent idea to remove the fob of its holder and check for any indication that it's fallen off.
In the end, it's an excellent idea to look around the house itself. Many people lose their keys when they're wearing coats and don't remember to remove them before they enter the house. Inspecting your pockets and emptying any bags you have is the best place to start but you should also consider looking around on the cushions of your sofa and checking under furniture to see whether keys are there. It's probably time to contact a locksmith if you haven't found your keys. If you're lucky, they'll capable of helping you locate the keys. If not, it's likely that they've been lost for good and you'll need to buy an additional set.
Try turning off the car
Keep a spare car key in your glove compartment to avoid being locked out. You can still get into your vehicle if you lose your key fob.
If your keys are missing and you're in a bind, you're out of luck. The reason is because the key fob contains an electronic element that wirelessly transmits an alarm signal to the ignition in the event that it doesn't detect this signal the car won't start.
To get around this issue, a lot of automobile manufacturers have built a fail-safe into their vehicles. If the battery dies in your key fob it will no longer be able to send the signal required to activate the ignition of your vehicle. Some cars, however, have a switch under the steering wheel that is able to be turned without using keys fobs. Refer to the owner's manual of your vehicle for specific instructions on how to activate this switch.
There are a variety of methods that are available to start the car using an unresponsive key fob however, it's usually dangerous and risky. Some methods involve using an hammer and screwdriver to try to open the ignition, while others utilize a method referred to as hot wiring to change the route of the battery wires to start the engine. It is best to leave these techniques to an auto technician, who will have the required equipment. In the majority of cases, an expert will have to take out several modules to gain access to the security components. The final option is to let the dealer program an entirely new key fob that will connect to your vehicle.
Call Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance company immediately after you have lost your keys. This will stop anyone from trying to use your lost keys and provide you with peace of mind. If you don't report the missing keys in time, someone might have damaged your vehicle's doors or ignition.
Car thefts are on an upward trend, especially when the owner leaves their keys in the vehicle. Thankfully, some insurers offer key replacement coverage as an optional add-on to their comprehensive insurance policies. However, the price and requirements for this coverage can vary from one policy to the next.
Most companies only cover a limited amount of the cost for replacing the key fob, and this can be a costly proposition. It can be more costly to replace a smart lock, that can open doors or start your vehicle. In this scenario, it may be worth considering an alternative like a roadside assistance plan that includes locksmith.
You should also contact the manufacturer of your vehicle to see if they offer replacements for lost fobs. Certain brands offer them directly and may even pair a new one to your vehicle in the dealership. These services are usually less expensive and quicker than having your car tow. But, you must take into account the cost of your deductible when you are considering these options.
Contact a Locksmith
There are a myriad of reasons you may lose your car keys. The best way to avoid this from happening is by keeping a spare key on hand or by using one of the numerous Bluetooth key trackers that are available. This will allow you to locate your car in a matter of minutes and will save you from having to spend money on locksmiths or having to be taken back to the dealership.
If you do end up losing the keys to your car, it is important to report the incident as soon as possible. This will ensure that your keys don't get taken or used by someone else. It will also help ensure that your insurance company is able to provide you with the right insurance coverage should you need to make a claim.
In the event that you lose your car keys, the very first thing to do is check thoroughly for them in all of the usual places where they are found. You can then call an expert locksmith to create a replacement. They will usually perform this on-site and they will make use of the most recent technology to create duplicate keys and program it for you.
It is also important to remember that you must only work with a locksmith who has experience in the production of these types of keys replacement. They must have the tools to be able to remove bent or stuck keys without causing further damage. They must be able to provide you a warranty on their work.
Some dealerships are able to create new keys for customers, but this can cost more than working with a locksmith outside. You should also check whether your insurance will cover the cost of a dealership or locksmith.
