Lost Spare Car Key? Here's What to Do

It wasn't that long ago that losing your car keys was not a big problem. You'd call your local locksmith, and they'd make a new one for you.

Nowadays, it's more complex. It's all dependent on the type of key you've got and whether you lost your spare. Here are some tips to assist you in finding your car keys.

Retract Your Steps

We all lose things. Perhaps you're running an task and forget to place your keys on the hook in the entryway, or maybe you are just coming home after a long day at work and throw them on the couch. Whatever the reason it can be very frustrating and stressful to lose your car key.

The first thing to do is take a deep breathe and try not to panic. You'll still be able to find your keys if search for them with enough effort. You should also have a back-up plan, for instance, calling an auto locksmith.

Once you've cooled down and regained control over your emotions, it's time to begin searching for your keys. You can retrace the steps you took, by thinking back to the last time you seen them. It's much easier than you think, particularly if close your eyes and visualize the exact location you last was with the person.

Start by imagining where they might be. This includes your car, your house and other places that you might have visited throughout the day. You could ask your family or acquaintances to help you find your way. This will give you more eyes!

Examine the handle on the driver's door and the center console of your vehicle for signs of an extra. Also, make sure to look through any bags or pockets you may have carried around during the day. It's not uncommon for keys to get «lost» in the car, so be sure to thoroughly look in all of your vehicle's compartments!

Check Your Hideouts

Car keys can be difficult to locate no matter how to replace a lost car key careful or diligent you are. It's among the most frequently lost items that can lose and can turn into a nightmare if you are not careful. There are a few steps you can follow prior to calling a locksmith if you've lost your car keys.

It's worth checking the place you typically keep your keys before looking for them. Check the key bowl or holder on your table. You could also ask someone nearby for help, such as an employee or a customer. They may have seen your keys in the chaos of your shopping spree or have spotted them while they were cleaning up.

It can be convenient to hide spare keys in your car. If the hood of your car can be opened from the outside, it is important to place the spare key in a secure place so that it will not be smashed when the hood closes. Magnetic boxes and mini-vaults can be attached to your car and keep your keys secure and easily accessible.

You could also put an extra key in the tailpipe of your car, however, this is usually difficult to implement and not very discreet. It's also possible that your tailpipe will be covered in snow or mud and it will be difficult to locate the key within.

Behind the tires is a different area where people store their keys. This can be a simple and effective method to keep your keys hidden, but it's important to keep in mind that the tires of your car are visible regardless of what you're wearing, so this method isn't recommended when you're wearing shorts or skirts.

You can also leave your spare key with a family member or trusted friend, particularly if you are you are traveling and don't want it to get lost. If you do have a proximity key, you should be cautious when leaving it with strangers because some thieves could make use of signal relay and amplifier technology to steal the signal from your key fob to unlock your car even if the key is miles away.

Check Inside Your Car

It's impossible to predict the exact location where you could lose something such as a key fob, and this is no exception. Therefore, it's best to search everywhere. This means going back to the first location you used it and retracing your steps and reaching out to workers or owners of places you visited and may have lost it at.

If you believe that you have left your keys in the car, you should check. Check the glove compartment, which is a common spot to keep a spare key for your car. Also, check the area underneath the front seats as well as the mysterious black hole in the car that can swallow small items like a key fob.

You should also make sure to check your backpacks and purses for any items you have with you that could be hiding a lost car key. This requires you to carefully search through all compartments and pockets in your backpack or purse and looking for zippered areas, and even removing items like makeup and sunglasses from your bag and looking under.

Contact a locksmith if tried these steps but are unable to locate your car keys. They can assist you with replacing lost keys to your car and get you on the road in short time.

You can avoid this scenario by having an extra car key. But you should also add an Bluetooth tracker to your keys to make it easier to keep track of them. These tiny devices attach to your keys and emit a distinctive signature, allowing you to connect them to an app on your smartphone and be aware of where they are at every moment of the day.

Another option is to call your dealer and ask them to design an original car key for you. Since they already have the security information for your vehicle they'll be able to do this quickly. It might be more difficult if you own an intelligent vehicle since they will need to pair the key to your car. This could take some time. This is why it's so important to have a backup car key!

Contact an expert locksmith

If you're unable find your car keys in the unlikely event, it is imperative that you contact a locksmith right away. Not only will this help you get into your car and get back inside, but it will ensure that nobody else has access. If you do not report the loss of your key fob as soon as you can, it could lead to more issues later on — like someone trying to impersonate you.

Modern cars require a keyfob to open and operate them. If you have lost your key fob, it is important to have a spare in order to avoid having to pay to have the car transported to the dealer, and then having to pay for a new set of keys.

A locksmith can make a new key for your car without knowing the precise specifics of the security system. They'll also be able to deactivate the key that was previously used to ensure that no one can use it again. A locksmith can tell you what type of car key you need from the information in your registration or title.

It is recommended to avoid the loss of your car keys by storing them in a secure location, away from your keychain or lanyard. This will lessen the chances that you will drop your keys or they will disappear from your pocket.

Another method to avoid the loss of your spare car key is to record your vehicle identification number (VIN) and keep it in your wallet at all at all times. It is a unique number that allows you to identify your car, and it is located on the dashboard of the driver's side or door jamb frame of your vehicle.

If you're looking to replace a car key or just want to lower the risk of losing it altogether an experienced locksmith in your area is the best choice for getting your life back on the right track. It's also less expensive than going to the dealership, and you may be able to have the spare key made on site.