Lost Spare Car Key? Here's What to Do

A few years ago losing your car keys was not an issue. You'd call your local locksmith and they'd make a new one for you.

It's more complicated now. It's dependent on the kind of key you've got and whether you've lost your spare. Here are some suggestions to assist you in finding your car keys.

Retract your Steps

Sometimes, we forget things. You might be running a quick errand, and forget to hang your keys in the entryway. Or, you may be coming back from a long working day and want to throw them on the couch. Whatever the reason, it can be frustrating and stressful to lose your spare car key.

The first thing you need to do is to take a deep breath and try not to get stressed. Remember that your keys aren't lost forever. You are still able to find them with an exhaustive search! You should also have a back-up plan, for instance, calling an auto locksmith.

After you've calmed down and have regained control over your emotions It's time to begin looking for your keys. One of the most effective ways to retrace your steps is simply recalling where you last remember seeing them. It's much easier than you think, especially when you close your eyes and visualize the exact location you last observed the person.

Once you've thought about the last time you saw them, start by looking at each of the possible locations they might be. Include your home, car and any other typical areas you've visited throughout the daytime. You can ask your family members or friends to assist you in your look for. This will give you a fresh set of eyes!

Check the driver's door handle and center console in your vehicle for signs of an extra. Examine any pockets or bags that you may have carried with you during the daytime. Examine all compartments in your car. It's not uncommon for keys to get «lost» within.

Check Your Hideouts

No matter how vigilant you are in your vehicle, keys to your car are a bit difficult to keep track of. They're among the most frequently lost objects, and they can quickly turn into a nightmare in a second of naivete. If you've lost the car key that you had in your possession, there are a few things to do prior to calling a locksmith.

Before you start searching for keys that have disappeared you should check the locations where you normally place them. Look over the key bowl or key holder on your table. You may also ask someone in the vicinity for help, such as an employee or a friend of yours. They might have noticed your keys in the chaos of your shopping spree or have spotted them while they were cleaning up.

Some people hide their spare keys in the car, and this can be a convenient alternative. However, if your vehicle has an hood that can be opened from the outside, it is essential to make sure that the spare key is in a secure spot which won't be crushed when the hood is closed. Mini-vaults and magnetic boxes can be affixed to your car to keep your keys safe and easily accessible.

You can also put a spare key inside the car's tailpipe however this method is typically difficult to use and not very discrete. It is also possible that the tailpipe is covered with mud, snow or ice making it difficult to locate the key.

Another spot where people often put their keys behind the tires. This is a great way to conceal your keys, but you should be aware that the tires of your car will be visible no matter the clothes you wear.

You can also leave your spare key with a family member or trusted friend, especially if you are you are traveling and don't want to risk getting lost. However, if you have a proximity key, you should be careful about leaving it with strangers as some thieves could make use of signal relay and amplifier technology to snoop on the signal from your key fob to unlock your car even if the key is miles away.

Check Inside Your Car

There's no way to know when you'll lose something, especially the key fob, which is why it's important to check every possible location. This means going back to the first place you've used it then retracing your steps and contacting employees or owners of the places you visited and may have lost it at.

If you believe that you've lost keys in car keys in your car, you need to check. Examine the glove box as it is a popular place to keep a spare key for your car. Also, check the area underneath the front seats, and the mysterious black hole inside the car that can swallow small objects like key fobs.

Examine any bags or purses you may have on you, as they could contain keys that were lost. You'll need to search through all pockets and compartments of your backpack or purse. Look for zippered areas and remove items like makeup and sunglasses from your bag in order to examine the contents underneath.

If you've tried all these steps and still cannot locate your car keys, you need to contact a locksmith. They'll help you replace your lost car keys and get you back on the road in a short time.

You can prevent this from happening by having a spare car key. But, you must add a Bluetooth tracker to your keys so that you can keep the track of them. These tiny devices attach to your keys and emit a unique signature, allowing you to connect them to an app on your smartphone and track where they are at all times.

Another option is to contact your dealership and ask them to design an original car key for you. As they already have the security details for your car they'll be able to do this quickly. If you own a smart vehicle, however, it may be more difficult since they'll need to pair the new key to your car, which could take a bit longer. It's essential to always have a spare car key.

Call a Locksmith

If you are unable to locate your car keys, it's important to call locksmiths as quickly as possible. This will not only help you get into your car, but it will also ensure that no one else has access. If you don't report the loss of your key fob right away it could cause more issues later on — like someone trying to impersonate you.

Most modern cars require an electronic key fob to unlock and operate the vehicle. It is important to keep a spare key fob in case you lose it. This will prevent you from having to pay for the vehicle to be tow and then buy a new set.

A locksmith can make a new key for your car without knowing the exact details of the security system. They can also be able disable the original key and ensure that nobody can use it again. If you're unsure the type of car key you require, a locksmith can usually determine this based on the information on your title or registration.

It is best to prevent the loss of your car keys by leaving it in a secure spot separate from your lanyard or keychain. This will decrease the chance that you'll drop your keys, or fall out of your pocket.

Another method to avoid loss of your spare car key is to write down your vehicle identification number (VIN) and keep it with you at all time. This unique code can help identify your vehicle and can be found on your dashboard, door jamb or frame.

Whether you need to replace a car key or just want to reduce the risk of losing it in the first place, a local locksmith is the best option for getting your life back on course. It's also less expensive than a trip to the dealer and you may be able to have the spare key created on-site.