A lost key can ruin your entire day. As soon as you realize you have lost your key, the stress and confusion will start to build quickly. Fortunately for you, the issue can be fixed, and you are likely to be able to get back into your vehicle relatively quickly. Follow these steps as soon as you realize that you have lost your key to give yourself the best chance of returning to your car fast.
Stay Calm
You need to calm down before you start making decisions or reaching out to others for assistance. Try retracing your steps backwards. Check your pockets, purse, vehicle (the glove box, floor, under the seats, and back seat), bag or backpack, or any other area that you could have dropped your key. You should focus on areas where you commonly put your keys, if possible.
Determine What Type of Key Was Lost
Not every key is the same. Each key type has a different way to replace them after they’ve been lost. While traditional metal keys are easy to make duplicate copies, transponder keys have chips inside them that send out special signals to the vehicle’s immobilizer system; thus, making it more difficult to replace.
Smart keys/key fobs are a new generation of keys that allow you to open (generally) and start (push-button) your vehicle, and they require programming to work with the car. The type of key has a direct influence on how complex the replacement process will be.
Call a Professional Locksmith
If you are unable to find another key, contacting an Urgent Auto Locksmith is probably your best option. They can meet you and unlock your vehicle without doing any damage. They can also create a new key for you and program a new transponder/smart key if needed. If you’ve lost your keys in a public area or suspect they may have been stolen, you should have your car lock and system reprogrammed to prevent any unauthorized access with that key.
Choosing Between an Automotive Dealer and a Local Locksmith
Automotive dealerships will replace your lost/broken keys. For newer models, this typically requires proof of ownership and sometimes towing your vehicle to the dealership’s service department if no spare key is available.
At dealerships, you’ll often wait longer and pay a greater fee than you would if you used a local locksmith. Therefore, it is in your best interest to investigate the costs and timeline associated with each option before making your decision.
Using Your Spare Key
If you do have a spare key, now is an excellent opportunity to make sure that you prevent having to do this again by using it properly. Here are some suggestions:
- Make a second spare key
- Find a safe and accessible storage location for another spare key
- Attach a Bluetooth tracking device to your key ring
- Designate a permanent location in your house for your keys
You will spend less money on preventing losing your keys versus replacing them.
If Your Keys Were Stolen
You have options when it comes to getting a replacement for your car keys if they were taken from you. The first step is to figure out whether your keys were lost or stolen, since this will determine how quickly you need to act.
If you think that they were stolen, you should have the keys reprogrammed as soon as possible. You may also want to call your insurance company and determine if your insurance covers lockout service or partial key replacement. Many auto insurance policies and roadside assistance memberships provide these types of services.
Endnote
Losing your car keys can be frustrating. However, in most cases, it is nothing more than an inconvenience. If you take a calm approach and follow the right steps, you should be able to resolve your issue fast.
The most important step to take after finding your keys is to prevent similar issues from re-occuring. In addition to getting a spare, you should be careful with your original key and ensure you always keep it in a safe location.
