What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key
Things get lost in the whirlwind of life: kids, errands and work, socializing with friends, etc. Sometimes it's the little things like keys.
For most cars, a new key can be purchased at your local hardware store with proof of ownership (car registration or title). This is a cheap option.
Retract your steps
There is nothing more difficult than losing your one car key and not being able get into your car. You could lose time, money and peace of your mind. The first thing you need to do when you lose the only key to your vehicle is to be calm. Doing your best to panic will not help you find your keys more quickly and may cause more damage.
Try to remember when you last seen them. You might have lost them when you brought in groceries or perhaps you put them in your pocket when you ran an outing. It is possible to locate your keys by tracing your steps.
If retracing steps isn't working Try writing down every place you went to during the day. This can jiggle your memory and give you the clue you need to find your keys. Once you've written down all possible spots your keys could be, check each place again. You might find that keys "drift" on the floor, side or underneath something, and you can pick them right where you left them.
Look Inside Your Car
In the past the idea of losing or misplacing a car key was not a big issue. A majority of people had a spare connected to their car in a little box that was tacked to the inside of the bumper. Nowadays, however, cars are getting more technologically advanced and that means the keys are more likely to disappear. Replacing a lost or stolen car key may require a number of steps and cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on the kind of vehicle and the year of its model. It's important to always have a spare car key in the event that you lose your original.
Take your time before you start worrying about losing your one car key. Try to stay calm. Once you've got your emotions under control you can start working through the steps. Follow your steps and try to recall the last time you held the keys. It's normal to hold keys while you are grabbing something else, and they can end up on the floor, where you can't see them.
The next step is thoroughly search your vehicle, particularly the places where you usually place them. You may have put them on the dashboard as you stepped out of your car to run into a shop, or perhaps you went to your bag to get some snacks, but accidentally knocked them out of there.
Examine your purses, pockets and bags. It's easy to overlook things in the deep pockets of your coat or in a large bag, so make sure to empty them out and scrutinize every crevice.
Get help from a locksmith in case you are unable to locate your keys. If you have an old-fashioned metal key with no electronic components, you can get an immediate replacement. However, if you've got a more modern key fob with a chip, you'll need to contact your dealership and possibly provide proof of ownership to get a replacement.
Make sure you are aware of your hiding spots
It's easy to lose your keys when you're occupied. It doesn't matter if you were rushing to leave or distracted by a meal while you talked on the phone, or you forgot them, it's easy to lose keys. It's a good thing that many people keep an extra key in their office or home that they can easily find. It is essential to look over every place where you've put your spare key. These include obvious places like backpacks, purses or a sofa pocket or a pile on your desk, or a dresser drawer. Have a friend do the same.
There are magnetic boxes as well as mini vaults you can stick on your vehicle to store keys that you don't need. These are ideal to hide keys since they won't break when you drive over bumps, and will shield your keys from the elements. A lot of these storage devices come with combination locks, which means that even if you hand the key to a person, they can't open it without your permission.
A fake rock with an inside compartment is another popular trick to conceal keys. This is a great idea for outdoor spaces, but you must be aware that thieves are often looking for these items. If you decide to use this technique, you can make use of a dark duct to make it more difficult for thieves to find.
The hood is one last spot to look. This is a great place to conceal a key for the gas cap, if you have one. It won't be visible. Use a tape that is strong to stop the key from slipping off or scratching the paint on your car when you remove it.
Car keys lost can be a major hassle but there are ways to lessen their impact on your daily life. You can locate your keys by retracing Your Steps and looking for the most likely hiding spots. Contacting a locksmith in your area will also help you avoid wasting time and money.
Call a locksmith
If you've lost your car key and you've lost it, you must contact locksmith. They can help you recover the key quickly and provide you with tips on how to prevent this repeating itself in the future. You could also contact the local key duplication company. However, they'll need the exact brand, model and year of your car to duplicate keys.
If your car is a more recent model, or if it uses an electronic key fob, you'll need to go to your dealer to request a replacement. This can be costly particularly if they have to order the correct key for your car, and it can take days or even weeks.
One thing that a lot of people don't know is that a professional locksmith can usually offer the same services as a dealership however at only a fraction of the cost. Insurance policies often cover locksmith costs or towing in the event of a stolen or lost key, and some provide roadside assistance and send experts to your location to assist you get back into your vehicle.
It's worth checking the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before choosing a dealer. It is also important to inform the police as soon as you can. This will ensure that your car is not used without permission, and you will be protected in the case of a robbery or assault. Reporting your keys will also allow police officers to be on the lookout for anyone who might try to gain access to your vehicle in a way that is illegal. In lost vehicle key of a worst-case scenario this could even protect you from prosecution should someone attempt to steal your vehicle. lost key to my car to remember when you lose the car keys that you have is that you shouldn't panic. Instead, you should follow the steps listed above, and enlist the help of a friend or family member if necessary.