How to Avoid Losing Your Car Keys
Losing your car keys can be a major headache. There are, however, several ways you can keep this from happening.
Traditional key chains and a decluttering of your office or home are easy, but effective methods to ensure your car keys are secure. For more complex keys, however, you will have to contact your dealer or a locksmith.
Retract Your Steps
It is common to locate your keys by retracing your steps. This might seem like a dated piece of advice, but it can be extremely helpful in finding lost key to my car items. The first step is to go back to where you last saw your keys. For instance, if you lost my key them in the process of getting out of your car, look in your garage and driveway to see if they are there. Examine all the items that may have fallen on the table, if you dropped them.
If retracing steps does not work, take a note of everything you did that day to aid you in locating where your keys might be. This may also narrow your search.
Make sure you are aware of your hide spots
It’s the worst feeling to lose your keys, particularly if it means you are running late. It’s easy to become distracted and absentmindedly set them down in your home, then forget where they are. It is important to put your keys back in the same spot after you’ve used them. This will become an automatic habit and you’ll know exactly where to find them in the future.
If you’re trying to locate your keys, start by retracing your steps and taking note of the places you might have put them down. This includes tables, countertops and key hooks. You can also look in pockets and bags to see if the items have fallen out.
Next, check the inside of your car. It’s not unusual for people to store their keys in a bag or compartment inside their car. If your keys come with a fob, it’s also a good idea to take the fob out from its holder and then look around it to see if it’s gone missing.
It’s an excellent idea to regularly examine the house. Many people lose their keys when wearing a coat and do not take them out before they enter the home. Inspecting your pockets and emptying your bags is a good place to start, but it’s also worth feeling around in the couch cushions and looking underneath furniture to see if they are there. It could be time to contact locksmiths if you haven’t found your keys. If you’re lucky, they may be able assist you in finding your keys. If not, they’re likely to be lost car key service forever, and you’ll need to buy another set.
Try turning the car off.
The best method to avoid being locked out of your vehicle is to always keeping an extra key in your glove box. This will enable you to gain access to your vehicle even if you lost keys in car your key fob.
If you have a brand newer car that only uses keyless entry and push-button start, then you will be out of luck when your keys go missing. The reason for this is that the key fob has an element wireless that transmits a signal to the ignition, and if it doesn’t detect this signal, the car won’t turn on.
Many car manufacturers have installed a fail-safe for their vehicles to prevent this issue. If the battery is dead in your key fob it will no longer be able to send the signal required to turn on the ignition of your vehicle. However, certain cars have a switch under the steering wheel that can be turned without using the key fob. Refer to the owner’s manual of your vehicle for specific instructions on how to activate this switch.
There are a variety of methods that are available to start the car using a dead key fob, but it is usually dangerous and risky. Certain methods require an hammer and screwdriver to attempt to start the ignition, whereas others utilize a method referred to as hot wiring to change the route of the battery wires in order to start the engine. Trying these methods is often best left to an auto professional who will have all the necessary equipment. Most of the time, this will also require the expert to remove some of the security components from the car to access the appropriate security elements. The final option is to have the dealer program a new key fob to connect to your vehicle.
Call Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company right away after you have lost your keys. This will stop anyone from using keys that you have lost, and give you peace-of-mind. If you don’t report the missing keys in time, someone may have used them to harm the ignition or doors of your vehicle.
It’s a sad fact that car thefts are increasing especially when the owner has left keys inside the vehicle. Thankfully, some insurers offer key replacement coverage as an optional rider to their comprehensive car insurance policies. The price and requirements for this coverage can vary from one policy to the next.
Most companies cover a small portion of the cost for replacing the key fob, which could be a costly proposition. If you have a smart key that opens your doors or even start your engine, it could be more expensive to replace. If this is the case, you may think about a different solution like a roadside assistance plan which includes a locksmith.
You should also check with the manufacturer of your car to see if they can provide replacements for lost my only car key fobs. Some brands sell them directly and will even attach a replacement to your vehicle in the dealership. These services are typically less expensive and faster than having your car tow. But, you must factor in the cost of your deductible when considering these options.
Call a Locksmith
There are many different reasons why you might lose your car keys. Keep a spare car key handy or use one of the many Bluetooth trackers available to prevent this. This will enable you to locate your vehicle in just a few minutes and will save you from needing to pay for locksmith services or getting taken back to the dealer.
If you do happen to lose your car keys, it is crucial to report the incident as soon as you can. This will ensure that your keys don’t get stolen or used by anyone else. This will help ensure that you are covered by your insurance provider in the event of a claim.
If you do lose your car keys, the first thing to do is look them up in all of the usual places that they can be found. Then, you can contact a professional locksmith to make a replacement. They can usually make this happen immediately, and they will use the latest technology to make a duplicate key for you and then program it.
It is crucial to hire an experienced locksmith who has the knowledge and experience in making these kinds of replacement keys. They must have the tools to be able to remove stuck or bent keys without damaging them further. They must be able to provide you a guarantee on their work.
Some dealerships can make new keys for customers, however it is more expensive than hiring an outside locksmith. It is also vital to check the insurance policy of your car provides for the cost of a locksmith, or a new key from the dealership.