How to Replace Lost Car Keys
You’re exhausted and want to put on your favorite sweatshirt, grab some pizza, and binge your latest TV show. You find that your car keys have disappeared.
Before you panic, know your options. There are many ways to replace a lost key for car car key, but the majority of these require a locksmith or dealership.
Check your car’s locks
If you’ve lost your car keys, it’s always recommended to begin by checking your vehicle. We often don’t know where they are, especially if we’re distracted or in a rush. Fortunately, finding lost car keys price car key lost keys is fairly easy if you take the time to do an exhaustive search in your vehicle.
Start with the driver’s seat. Examine every inch of the car by moving the seats up and down, back and forth. Also, check the zippered areas or small compartments to find keys. Be sure to check your backpack, purse or tote bag for keys.
Many modern cars come with key fobs that let you to lock and unlock your car from a distance. These devices usually include an internal chip that can communicate to the car in order to let you into the vehicle and then start the engine. If you’ve lost your car key fob, you’ll need to visit the dealership to have an alternative one created.
Some older vehicles still use traditional metal keys that fit into an ignition cylinder. If you lose these keys, a locksmith might be able to create a replacement key for you, if you have proof of ownership like your registration or title.
You can also purchase an upgrade from a dealer, but it will be more expensive. The dealership will have to integrate a computer chip into your vehicle, which could be priced between $200 and $250, or more, based on the make and model of your vehicle.
Before you make a payment for a car key replacement be sure to check your insurance policy. If you have comprehensive coverage you might be able to claim it to cover the cost of a new key. Ask your insurance company whether you have roadside assistance coverage. This will come in handy should you ever require it. The good news is that there are many companies offering roadside assistance packages and you should be able to find services near you.
Check your vehicle’s identification number (VIN).
The vehicle identification number is a unique 17-digit alpha-numeric code for each vehicle on the road. It’s used to identify vehicles, keep track of inventory, report accidents and thefts, and much more. In the United States, the VIN is typically stamped into a label or plate on your car’s dashboard or jambs on the door of the driver’s side, and sometimes in front of the engine block. Your VIN can be found in other documents like your registration for your vehicle as well as title and insurance documents.
Your VIN is unique to your vehicle and it’s best to keep it in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you can quickly and easily get new keys that is based on the VIN. Locksmiths can decode the VIN and get the manufacturer’s code for the model you have. This will work with your lock.
The majority of passenger vehicles have their VIN on a label located at the point where the windshield meets the dash on the driver’s side. You can also locate it on the door jamb for the driver’s side or on the front of the engine block on larger trucks and other commercial vehicles. Certain VINs are etched directly into the windows or windshields of your vehicle to serve as a security measure.
You can check your VIN by entering it into a web-based VIN decoder. This will give you a complete report on your vehicle, including the manufacturer, model and make, body style, engine size, assembly plant and the year it was made.
VINs were first used in 1954, but up to 1981, they came in a variety. In 1981 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standardized them to the current format of 17 characters.
If your VIN number is correct, you can purchase new keys from most dealerships or automotive locksmiths depending on the type key your vehicle requires. If your car is equipped with an ignition chip, you will need to visit a locksmith or dealer to replace your key. If not, you can purchase standard keys from hardware stores.
Contact Your Dealership
It wasn’t too long ago that losing your car keys wasn’t a big deal. You could easily contact your local dealer to purchase a new set. Today, it’s more complex than it used to be. If you’re in the market to have your lost car keys replaced, the dealership isn’t always your most ideal option.
You can still purchase a traditional car key from a dealership, but it’s best to contact an automotive lock. They’re more likely to be in a position to get you back on the road fast and will probably charge less than the dealership.
Note down the vehicle identification (VIN) number before you contact someone to replace your keys. This is important as the person who needs it will create an alternative car key for you. The VIN can be found on the dashboard of the driver’s side or printed inside of your owner’s manual.
Dealerships can replace car keys for the majority of manufacturers. However, it’s not a assurance that they’ll be able to help you. It all depends on your model and make, as well as whether the keys are intelligent or have complicated programming. If you’re not sure whether your dealer can assist you, bring your vehicle in and ask to speak with the service manager.
If you have a smart key that’s been lost or stolen, you’ll have to visit your dealer to get it replaced. This is because your car’s security features require a particular type of key to reset and work properly.
This process is much more involved than it was in the past so make sure you’re willing to pay the additional cost to have this feature restored. A dealership can also provide you with a backup key that’s similar to the one you have in case your lost car keys how to replace one gets damaged or stolen. If you decide to go this route, make sure to carry all the required information on hand along with an ID photo. This will help make the process easier for everyone involved.
Call a Locksmith
A locksmith’s call is the first step to replace lost keys to your car. A reputable locksmith will be able cut and program a new key for your car while you wait. However, they’ll need to know the year, make and model of your vehicle, as well as evidence that you own the car (a copy of your registration or title should do it).
Before calling a locksmith over the phone however, ensure that you’ve inspected every possible place where your keys might be. Examine the pockets on the pants, jackets and purses. Also check any other bags you might have used. You could also search for your keys in places that you might not normally go like the floor behind the table in front of the doorway or under the couch. If you’ve tried all of these methods and still are struggling to locate your keys, it’s time for you to call someone.
A locksmith should be able to replace traditional keys on the spot, at a cost of around $20. This is much cheaper than having roadside assistance take your vehicle to a dealer to buy a new key.
In many cases, a locksmith can also cut and program a new key for more advanced models of cars, including smart keys, switchblade keys, and transponder keys. Some of these more complex keys require you to provide the VIN number for your vehicle, but locksmiths will be able to do it in a flash.
Many locksmiths can also remove keys that are bent or broken, which are usually the result of accidentally locking them in your vehicle. If you attempt to remove a damaged key on your own could cause more damage, and this task should be left to professionals.
In addition to helping you replace keys that were lost in your car, a Locksmith prices for lost car Keys can also give you advice about how to stop future keys from being lost or stolen. Taking preventative measures, such as keeping a spare set keys at home or in your wallet, can help in ensuring that you never lose your car keys ever again.