How to Avoid Losing Your Car Keys
It can be a huge problem to lose your car keys. There are, however, several ways you can prevent this from occurring.
Keep your car keys safe by using traditional key chains, or clearing your home or office. For more intricate keys, however, you will need to contact your dealership or a locksmith.
Retract your Steps
You are able to find your keys by retracing your steps. This may sound like the most old-fashioned piece of advice but it can be very helpful in finding lost items. First, go back to the place you last had your keys. If you accidentally dropped your keys while getting out of the car, check your driveway and garage. Look under all the things that could have fallen onto the table, if you dropped them.
If retracing your steps does not work, try writing down everything you did in the day to stir up memories of where your keys could be. This could also narrow down your search.
Check Your Hiding Spots
Losing keys is the most traumatic feeling particularly if you're late. It's easy for you to lose track of your keys, and then set them down in a random location at home. It's important to place your keys back in the same place after you've used them. This way, they become a habit and you will know where to find them in the future.
Start by retracing the steps you've taken and checking common places you might have left your keys. This includes tables, counters and hooks to hang keys. Also, look inside bags and pockets to see if the items have been taken out.
Make sure lost car key and no spare g28carkeys take a thorough look inside your car. Many people hide their keys in a compartment or bag of their car. If your keys come with a fob, it's also an excellent idea to take the fob out from its holder and then look for any indication that it's gone missing.
It's an excellent idea to regularly examine the home. Many people lose their keys when wearing coats and don't remember to remove them before they enter the home. Checking your pockets and emptying any bags you have is a good starting point, but it's also worth feeling around in the couch cushions and looking underneath furniture to see whether they're there. If you've still not found your keys, it could be time to call a locksmith. If you're lucky, they'll be capable of helping you locate the keys. If they don't, it's likely they've been lost for good and you'll need to buy an additional set.
Try turning the car on
The best way to prevent being locked out of your car is by always keeping an extra key in your glove box. This will allow you to gain access to your vehicle, even if you've lost your key fob.
If you have a brand newer car that has only keyless entry and push-button start, then you will be in a bind in the event that your keys get lost. The reason for this is because the key fob contains a wireless element that sends a signal to the ignition and if it fails to detect this signal the car won't turn on.
Many car makers have designed a fail-safe into their vehicles to avoid this issue. If the battery dies in your key fob it will not be able to send the signal required to turn on the ignition of your vehicle. Some cars have a hidden switch under the steering wheel that can be used with or without the key fob. Check the owner's manual for instructions on how to turn on the switch.
A variety of different strategies can be used to begin the car with an unresponsive key fob however, it's usually an extremely risky and difficult task. Some methods involve using the hammer and screwdriver to try and start the ignition, whereas others utilize a method referred to as hot wiring to reroute the battery wires to get the engine started. It is best to leave this task to an auto technician, who will have the required equipment. Most of the time, this will also require the expert to remove some of the security components from the car to access the correct security elements. The dealer can program a new remote to pair with your vehicle.
Call Your Insurance Company
It is recommended to contact your insurance company immediately after you lose your keys. This will prevent anyone from trying to use the lost keys and give you peace of mind. If you don't report missing car keys at the time you should, you may discover that someone has taken them and caused damage to your vehicle doors or ignition.
It's a sad reality that car thefts are on the rise especially when the owner has left keys in the car. Fortunately, some insurance companies offer key replacement coverage as an optional add-on to their comprehensive car insurance policies. However, the price and requirements for this coverage can differ from policy to policy.
Most companies cover a limited amount of the cost to replace the key fob, which could be costly. If you have a smart key that can open your doors or even start your engine, it could be more expensive to replace. In this case it might be worth considering alternatives such as a roadside assist plan that includes a locksmith.
Contact the manufacturer of your car to find out if they offer replacements for lost keys. Certain brands sell them directly and will even pair a new one to your car in the dealership. These services can be less expensive than having your car towed into the dealership, and they can be much faster, too. However, you should always take into account the cost of your deductible before weighing these options.
Contact a locksmith
There are many reasons why you might lose your car keys. Keep an extra car key on hand or make use of one of the numerous Bluetooth trackers that are available to avoid this. This will allow you to find your vehicle in just a few seconds and save you from having to spend money on locksmiths or having to be returned to the dealer.
If you do happen to lose your car keys, then it is crucial to report the loss as soon as you can. This will help to ensure that the keys don't get taken or used by someone else. It will also help ensure that your insurance company can provide you with the appropriate protection should you have to make a claim.
If you lose the keys to your car, you must first look through the usual places where they are stored. Contact a professional locksmith for an alternative. They usually can make this happen on the spot, and they will use the latest technology to make a duplicate key for you and then program it.
It is important to hire an experienced locksmith who has the experience in creating these types of replacement keys. They should have the right tools to remove bent or stuck keys without further damaging them. They should be able to give you a guarantee on their work.
Some dealerships are able to make new keys for their customers, but this may cost more than working with an outside locksmith. It is also important to determine whether your insurance will cover the cost of a dealership or locksmith.