How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys could be extremely stressful. Luckily, there are a variety of methods to replace them.
First, try to find them yourself. Take a look in all your pockets and bags and walk around the house.
Before you visit the dealership or locksmith ensure that you have evidence of ownership, such as your car registration or title. This will save you some money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It's beneficial to have an extra key for your car, since losing them could be expensive and stressful. There are many ways to get a spare key for your car, it's not as straightforward as before.
Contacting the dealership is the most efficient way to obtain a spare key. Dealerships keep a record of security information for every vehicle and can locate your key quickly in their database. They will however require a key for you and connect it to your vehicle. The cost can range from $200 to $500, based on your location, the dealership you use and the model of your vehicle.
A locksmith can also give you a standard-sized key. This is cheaper than going to the dealer, especially if your car is older and doesn't have an upgraded key. You should check your warranty and insurance policy or auto club membership for details on how to pay.
The majority of cars today utilize an expensive, sophisticated key that is difficult to replace. These keys contain transponders that communicate with a vehicle's system for unlocking and start the car. If you lose your smart key, it will need to be paired back to your vehicle which is only possible at the dealership.
It is important to remember that if your vehicle is under lease, the dealer could have you turn in two sets of keys and key fobs after the lease is up. It is essential to have a spare set of keys and key fobs in the event that this happens.
It's more expensive to get a spare key, however it's worth it if you want to avoid stress and expensive repairs in the future. It's best to be ready for any scenario. Keep your spare key in a secure location and be aware of what you need to do in the event that your keys get lost.
2. Contact a locksmith
It's not a secret that losing your car keys can be an enormous pain in the neck. It can be very frustrating to find out that you've left your spare car keys in the backseat of your vehicle, no matter if you're at the gas station, grocery store, or on your way home after work. There are a variety of ways to replace your keys without having to pay an expensive locksmith or dealership.
If you have an old lock, like a double-edged one you can purchase a new one from your local hardware store for less than $10. However, you will have to provide proof of ownership, like the registration of your vehicle or title. If you have a technologically advanced key, for instance a remote fob or a smart key, it could be more difficult to replace. It is possible to contact your local locksmith or even the manufacturer to have a replacement created for you.
Most modern vehicles use transponder keys that need to be programmed by the car's computer. This can be done by a locksmith, but will cost more than replacing the standard key. You can also reset your key using the instructions in your owner’s manual. However, this could be time-consuming and difficult and might not always work.
You can lessen the chance of losing your keys in the first place by having a specific place to put them. You can hang a key holder close to your door or put them in an empty bowl on the table. You can keep a key ring with you at all times, so you are always aware of where your keys are. You can also attempt to organize your office or home since a messy office can make it easier to lose things! Keep in mind that even if the keys are never lost, you may forget them. In the event of an emergency, it's crucial to have an emergency plan. It's better to be prepared than to be stuck at the side of the road!
3. Call a Towing Service
If you're the kind of person who regularly loses your car keys, it's an excellent idea to have an extra. They're easy to store and are inexpensive and can save you a lot of stress in future. A lot of newer cars have safety features that make it difficult to secure yourself. Check out the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle with this feature, or think about upgrading your current car to one with it.
There are a variety of ways to replace your car key but the details will vary depending on the type of key and how it was misplaced. If you have a traditional key that is not digitally programmed locksmiths can replace it. If you own a smart key however, this could be a much more involved procedure. The dealer will need to examine the VIN and provide proof of ownership in order to get an alternative key for you this could take a few days.
The majority of car rental companies don't keep spare keys in their facilities however, they will assist you in resolving the problem. Hertz for instance offers the option of losing keys as part of its roadside assistance plan. This service is not offered if you do not purchase additional roadside coverage.
If your rental company is unable to help you, or you do not have their emergency roadside service plan, the next step is to contact an towing service or locksmith. Both will help you get back into your vehicle and on the road, but each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. It is important to study both options before choosing the best one, and to keep the contact information for both on hand in case you ever require them. Avoid losing your keys by all means. This means putting them in the same spot every time and not putting them in your pocket of your coat or on top of your car when you're parking.
4. Contact a Repair Shop
If you've lost your keys to your car, it's best to have a plan for how to get back in your vehicle. In the past, misplacing your car keys or losing it was a minor issue. Nowadays, this could be a major issue. If you're smart, it's not as expensive or difficult to find a spare key as it once was.
It is first necessary to identify the type of key your vehicle is using. The keys that have mechanical shanks that insert into the ignition are simple to replace. A simple key without a chip is priced between $10 and $12. Most recent cars have keys with security chips built in that must be reprogrammed into the car to unlock doors or to start the vehicle. Finding a replacement for these keys can cost upwards of $200.
The process of changing the chip's programming is complicated and requires special equipment. This procedure can also be performed by a locksmith, but you should make sure that they are equipped with the proper tools and experience.
Another option is to visit a key cutting shop like AutoZone where a staff member will pick up a working key and trace its contours. The key cutting shop will then be able to cut a key that matches the original's cut. The only downside is that you will not be able to drive the vehicle until the new key is cut and programmed.
If you want to try this method, make sure you have the original working key along with your driver's license and evidence of ownership. spare car key fob or dealer can decode the VIN number on these documents to locate the code that's needed to connect a new key to your vehicle.
You can also cut down on the cost of programming by having an entirely new key created and then trying to reset it on your own. The majority of manufacturers will provide instructions on how to do this in their owner's manual, or you can simply look up "How to program a (your year model, year, and make) key" online.