How to Deal With a Car Lost Key
Car keys can easily be lost if you’re not careful. It might not be the most ideal situation however, you can rectify it if you remain in control and take the proper steps.
Start by searching your bags and pockets. After that, retrace your steps and search for places where you may have dropped them.
1. Verify the VIN
If you have spare keys, losing your car keys will not be an issue. Modern cars have keys which are more difficult to replace when you don’t have an original key. These keys have transponders that assist in preventing theft. The act of reporting lost keys is equally important. If you don’t, someone might try to use your car to steal or vandalize it. This could cause damage to your ignition or cause scratches to your door locks.
If you have an extra key, the dealer or a locksmith can usually create a duplicate for you. It’s more expensive than buying a new key, but the price is less. If you have proof of ownership, a locksmith will create a new key using the VIN.
The VIN is located on the dashboard of the driver’s face. You can locate it on the insurance card or registration. This information will be needed by locksmiths or dealers in cars to make new keys from the VIN.
2. Check the locks
Always keep an extra car key in a safe place. A spare key can save you time and stress in the event you lose your car keys. Car keys spares are also useful in the event that you’ve accidentally left the car unlocked. In such a case you can make use of your spare key to unlock the car and then get back on the road.
The use of a spare key car lost can also make it more difficult for someone else to drive your car and could cause damage. Notifying your lost car key replacement keys to your insurance company will safeguard you from these situations.
After you’ve calmed down, begin searching for your car keys. It’s easy to get lost key car when you’re exhausted or distracted. To begin, look around you and then retrace your steps. Remember the last time you had your car keys, where you were and what you did. This is known as context reinstatement, and it’s an extremely effective strategy to find missing items.
3. Check the doors
You’ve worked hard all day and you’re eager to settle down at home with a bowl of soup and your favorite television show. Then you find that the keys to your car are missing.
Don’t be concerned — they’re probably in the vicinity. Start searching for your keys the moment you realize that you’ve lost them. Check your bags, pockets as well as the jackets and pants you were wearing. Also, check areas that are too filled with clutter, such as desks and tables. Contact your local locksmith if you cannot locate your car keys.
Even if you’re not using a newer model it’s still worth having a spare car key on ready to avoid the hassle of needing to call a tow truck. If you can’t locate the spare car key, you might want to think about purchasing a smart tag such as Apple AirTag or Tile that can help you locate it in the event of an emergency. It’s also a good idea to keep your keys in the same spot in order to find them easily the next time.
4. Check the trunk
It’s not a major issue in the event that you lose your car keys. If you have a spare, you can simply turn on your car and begin it. If not, you can call the dealership or locksmith to request an alternative key. To pair your keys with your vehicle, they’ll need the VIN number of your car and the type of key you have.
Everybody loses their keys to their vehicles from time to time. It’s frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be a major issue. You can locate your car keys by staying at peace, looking in the most obvious places and Car Lost Key retracing steps. To prevent this from repeating itself, always keep the spare car key in a secure location and think about getting a smart tag like Apple AirTags, or Tile to keep track of your keys. These are less expensive than replacing your keys. It’s also important to look over your insurance policy and see if roadside assistance will cover the cost of replacing your car keys.
5. Check the ignition
There’s no telling when you’ll lose your keys to your car and it’s almost always at the worst possible moment. But, there are a few ways you can minimize the damage and get back on the road in a hurry.
Check all the places you’ve been recently. You may have dropped your clothes while getting out of the car It’s worth looking in the pockets of your clothes. Also, make sure you look in places you wouldn’t normally look, like inside the fridge or in the washing machine.
If your vehicle has an electronic key you can easily locate an locksmith who can make you a replacement. However, if you own a transponder or a switchblade key it can be more complex.
In some instances, you can employ a specialist to decode the VIN number to find the key code and get your vehicle functioning again. This is usually done at the dealership, and you will need to provide proof ownership, such a registration and car lost Key title. This is a risky process and expensive.