How to Recover a Lost Car Key
The loss of your car keys can be a stressful event. You should remain calm and keep in mind that losing your car keys aren't a big deal.
In contrast to traditional keys that simply opened doors and turned the ignition modern keys feature sophisticated technology. It is important to know what to do if you lose your key so that you don't have to pay a costly fee for replacement.
Retract your Steps
Lost car keys are an absolute nightmare for any driver. Fortunately, there are many options to recover your keys.
The first thing you should do is retrace your steps. This simple technique can be extremely helpful in finding lost keys. You might have dropped them in a hurry and forgotten about them. Retracing your steps will help you remember where you were when you last saw them. It's also recommended to go through any places you've visited recently, even if they aren't the usual places to keep your keys. It's possible that your keys fell out of a pocket or bag and are hidden somewhere that you didn't think of.
Trackers are another great method to locate keys that are lost. The device is small, and it can be attached to keys. Then you can make use of an app to locate them. This is only possible in the event that you have electronic components inside your keys, for example remote key fobs.
If you do not have a tracking device or aren't able to locate your keys, the next course of action should be to contact an auto locksmith in your area. They can assist you in creating an entirely new key and then reprogram it to the anti-theft system in your vehicle. This service can be expensive and cost up to hundreds of dollars.
Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, you might have to get towed to a dealership to replace your lost keys. It is recommended to keep a spare key available and take preventative measures to stop losing keys in the first place.
The most important thing to keep in mind when you lose your car keys is to remain calm. It's easy to panic when you're unable to locate your keys, but it will be much harder to find them if you start yelling at yourself. If you can't find your keys in a reasonable time frame, it might be time to call an expert locksmith or visit the dealership. Whatever you do, make sure to inform your insurance company about the incident so they can help if anything happens to your car in the future.
Check Your Hide Spots
It's important that you choose the location where passers-by will not be able to see your spare key. You'll be an easy target for thieves in the event that you don't. Many people keep their extra keys in plants or in a flower pot This is not a good idea. If a burglar finds your keys, they could also discover your wallet and other valuables.
A popular place to hide is behind the front door. However, this could be difficult to gain access to in the event that you are locked out. There are locks that are attached to the inside of your door and appear like a standard lock, but these are typically quite costly. You can conceal the key in the grass or under a mat. Some people also make fake rocks that appear ordinary but have a hidden compartment for the key.
The key is usually kept in the car, but this can be an unwise choice. This technique is well-known to thieves, who may be able to access the gas cap on the outside. If you're concerned about this, consider getting a magnetic key holder that attaches to the underneath of your vehicle. It's similar to a license plate frame but is designed to secure the spare key in a concealed secret location.
You can also conceal the key in your garage, particularly if it is detached. If you don't have a ladder a key hidden in a nook in the side of your garage will be hidden from sight.
Vinyl siding is also an excellent hiding spot, as there are often small splits where you can slide the key. Attach a fishing line to the key, and slide it into the split until only the smallest amount of it is visible. This will prevent the key from slipping out in case you accidentally hit it while searching for it.
You can also put the spare key to the end of an erect tree branch if have a lot of trees on your property. If lost my car key and have no spare live in an area with a lot of trees it is a good option. A majority of people won't consider looking for keys.
Try turning off the car.
Until recently the loss of your car keys was not a major issue. A locksmith was available to help, and the price was usually around $20. Today, however, cars are getting increasingly technologically advanced, which can make them more expensive to replace if you break one.
A special computer chip is needed to start an engine in a brand new car. It communicates with the ECU. Without this, the car will not turn on. It's essential to have the correct key.
If you have an older traditional key, you may be able find it inside the lock, and then start the car. If this does not work, you might need to speak with a locksmith in order to make a new key or contact your dealership for assistance.
Another option is to try starting the car using a spare key. Many new manual vehicles come with a spare key, so this could be your best option. This is a riskier option and will depend on the car, but it might work.
This technique requires some technical expertise and tools. It also involves disassembling an engine component and isn't recommended for everyone. It's best to have a professional handle the task of this type of work particularly since you'll be ignoring some of the safety features in the vehicle.
It's always an excellent idea to have a backup car key in the event that you lose one. The most affordable option is to have an old-fashioned key made, however you can also buy a transponder or smart key. These keys are more expensive and require a trip to the dealer in order to purchase a new one.
Walk Back Through Your Day
It's been seen by everyone: You lose your car keys. It's one of the most annoying things you could do because it immediately ruins your day. You're going be late for work, and your errands aren't going to be completed. Worse yet, you may have to pay a fee to replace the key fob in case you're renting cars. However, it doesn't have to be this way. Follow these simple steps to avoid the loss of your keys from ruining your day.
First first, don't get stressed. Take a deep breath to relax and allow you to think clearly. It's important to write down where you've been so that you can revisit the place and figure out the reason why your keys disappeared.
If you are unable to remember where they were, walk back through your day. If you've lost them while you were running errands to each stop and think about what you were doing. Did you set them down on the counter? You might have knocked them loose when you grabbed something from your bag. Try to remember exactly where you saw them.
Once you've walked back through your day, check everywhere else. You may have put them in the pocket in the jacket you were wearing or in the bag you carried with you. Be sure to check places you'd never think of, like the pockets of other people's clothes or under a sofa cushion.
If you can't locate your car keys, contact someone to help. Ask your friends whether they've seen keys, or better yet call locksmith. The most important thing you don't want to do is end up paying for a new key, or worse, having your vehicle stolen. A professional can help you locate your keys quickly and efficiently. It's also an excellent idea to keep an extra car key so make sure you keep it in a secure location.