How to Recover a Lost Car Key
Losing your car key can be an incredibly stressful situation. It is important to remain calm and try to keep in mind that losing your car keys is not an issue.
Key fobs that are modern are smarter than traditional keys that only opened doors and then turned on the ignition. You need to know what you should do in the event you lose your keys to avoid paying a large replacement fee.
Retract your steps
A lost car key is a nightmare scenario for any driver. Fortunately, there are many ways you can recover your keys.
The first thing you must do is trace your steps. This simple trick can be very useful in finding lost key s. It is possible that you dropped keys in a hurry and forgot about them. You can retrace your steps to remember where you were the last time you saw them. You should also look for places you've been recently even if you don't normally keep your keys there. It's possible that your keys fell out of a bag or pocket and are in a place you wouldn't think to.
Trackers are a great way to locate your lost keys. This device is small and attached to your keys. You can then use an application to locate them. This is only possible if your keys are equipped with an electronic component, like a remote key fob.
If you don't have a tracking device or aren't able to locate your keys, the next course of action is to contact an auto locksmith in your area. They'll be able to assist you in creating a new key and reprogram it for your vehicle's immobilizer system. This can be costly and can cost a few hundred bucks.
You might need to have your vehicle towed to a dealer in order to retrieve keys that were lost. It's a good idea to keep a spare set keys in your possession, and to take preventative measures to ensure you don't lose your keys in the first instance.
The most important thing to keep in mind when you lose your car keys is to stay calm. If replacing lost car keys to find your keys it's easy to get panicked. However, if you begin screaming at yourself, it will make it much harder to locate them. If you are unable to locate your keys in an acceptable timeframe, it might be the right time to call a locksmith or go to the dealership. Regardless of what you do, make sure to inform your insurance provider about the incident, so they can help if anything happens to your vehicle in the future.
Check Your Hiding Spots
It is crucial to choose a place where passersby aren't in a position to see your spare key. If you don't, you're creating an easy target for thieves. A plant pot or flower box is the typical place where people store their keys, but this can be a big mistake. If a burglar gets the keys, he may also find valuables like your wallet.
Another popular hiding place is behind the door, but this can be tricky to access when you're locked out. There are locks that attach to the door's inside and appear like a standard lock, but these are typically quite costly. A less expensive option is to hide the key under a door mat, or in the grass. Some people use fake rocks with a compartment hidden in the rocks.
The key is usually kept in the car, however, this can be an unwise choice. This trick is well-known to thieves, who may be able to access the gas cap on the outside. If you're concerned about this, get a magnetic key holder to attach to the underside your vehicle. It resembles the frame of a license plate, but is designed to hold the spare key in a hidden secret location.
Your garage is another good location to hide the key, particularly if you have a detached garage. If you don't have a ladder, a key hidden in a nook on the side of your garage is out of sight.
Vinyl siding is also a good hiding place since there are often small splits where you can slide the key. Be sure to secure a piece of fishing line to the key and then slide it in until only a tiny amount is visible. This will stop the key from sliding when you accidentally bump into it while looking for it.
If you have lots of trees on your property, you may also try nailing your spare key to the top of a branch. This is a good choice when you reside in a rural area with plenty of tree coverage as most people don't think of checking this area to find your keys.
Try Turning the Car On
In the past, losing your car key was not a huge issue. You could call a locksmith to help out and it was usually just $20 or so. Today, however, cars are getting more and more technologically advanced, which could make them more expensive to replace if you break one.
A special computer chip is needed to turn on an engine in a new car. It communicates with the ECU. The car will not start without this chip. This is the reason it's vital to ensure you have the correct key for your vehicle.
It is possible to start your car using an older style traditional key. If this isn't working, it could be time to contact a locksmith or call your car dealer to have a new key made.
Another option is to try starting the car using a spare key. Many new manual vehicles have spare keys key, so this could be your best bet. This is a little riskier and it will depend on the specific vehicle you are driving, but it can work.
This method requires some technical expertise and tools. This method also involves disassembling an engine component and is not recommended for anyone. It's best to have a professional handle the task of this type of job particularly since you'll be bypassing a lot of the safety features that are in the car.
It's always an excellent idea to have a backup car key in case you lose one. The cheapest alternative is to get traditional keys made, however you can also purchase an electronic transponder or smart key. These keys are more expensive and will require a visit to the dealer to get a new one.
Look back over your day
Everyone has had this experience when you lose your car keys. It's one of the most frustrating things you could do because it instantly ruins your day. You'll be late for work and your chores aren't getting done. You might even have to pay to replace the key fob in case you rent a vehicle. It doesn't have to be this way. You can stop losing your keys and ruining your day if you follow these simple steps.
Do not panic first. Breathing deeply can aid in calming down and think clearly. It's an excellent idea to write down where you've been so that you can go back and figure out the reason why your keys disappeared.
If you aren't able to remember where you put them down, start by retracing your day. If you lost them when you were running errands, go back to every stop and consider what you were doing. Did you put them on a counter? Maybe you were picking something from your bag and they got lost. Make sure you remember exactly the location you observed them.
Check everywhere else. You might have left them in a pocket of the jacket you were wearing or inside a bag you took with you. Look in places that you wouldn't normally think of looking for items, such as the pockets of clothes worn by others, or under a couch cushion.
If you still can't find your car keys, think about asking for help from someone. Ask your friends to see whether they've seen them, or better yet call an locksmith. You don't want to be paying for an extra key, or worse, having your vehicle stolen. An expert can help you get your keys back fast and efficiently. It is also recommended to have a spare key. Keep it in a secure place.