How to Avoid Losing Your Car Keys
The loss of your car keys can be a major headache. There are a few steps you can do to avoid this.
Traditional key chains and a tidying of your home or office are simple, but efficient ways to ensure your car keys are secure. For more complex keys, however, you will need to contact your dealership or a locksmith.
Retract Your Steps
You can often find your keys by going back to your steps. This may appear like an old piece of advice but it is extremely useful in finding lost items. First, look back to where you last looked for your keys. For instance, if you dropped them when getting out of your car, check your driveway and garage to see if they're there. Examine all the items that may have fallen on the table, if you dropped them.
If retracing your steps doesn't work, you can write down everything that you did throughout the day to stir up memories of where your keys might be. This can also help narrow your search.
Check Your Hiding Spots
Losing your keys is the worst feeling especially if you're late. It's easy to get distracted and forget to put them in your home, then forget where they are. It's important to place your keys back in the exact spot after you've used them. That way, they become a habit and you know where to find them in the future.
When you're trying to find your keys, begin by retracing your steps and looking for the usual places you might have put them down. This includes counters, tables, and hooks for keys. You can also check in pockets and bags to see if the items have been ripped out.
Next, make sure to take a thorough look inside your vehicle. Many people store their keys inside the compartment or bag of the 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 the area around it to determine if it's fallen off.
It's an excellent idea to regularly be sure to check the house. Many people do not take off their keys prior to entering the house if they're wearing a coat. Examining your pockets and emptying any bags you have is a good starting point however, it's also worth feeling around in the cushions on your couch and looking under furniture to see if they are there. If you're still having trouble finding your keys, it might be time to call a locksmith. If you're fortunate they may be able to assist you in finding your keys. If not, they'll be lost forever and you'll have to buy new ones.
Try turning the car on
The best way to avoid being locked out of your car is by keeping an extra key in the glove box. lost my key are still able to get into your car if you lose your key fob.
If you've lost your keys, you're out of luck. The reason is because the key fob is equipped with an element wireless that transmits an alarm signal to the ignition, and if it doesn't detect this signal, the car won't start.
To get around this issue, a lot of automakers have built fail-safes into their vehicles. If the battery in your key fob goes out and it is not capable of transmitting the signal needed to turn on the ignition of the vehicle. However, certain cars have a switch that is hidden beneath the steering wheel that can be turned without the use of the key fob. Refer to the owner's manual of your vehicle for instructions on how to activate the switch.
A variety of different strategies are available to start the car using a dead key fob, but it is usually a difficult and risky job. Some techniques use a screwdriver to open the ignition, while others employ hot wiring, a technique that reroutes the battery wires to start the engine. Trying these methods is often best left to an auto technician who has the proper equipment. In most cases, the expert will need to remove several modules to gain access to the security elements. The dealer can program an additional remote to pair with your vehicle.
Call Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance company immediately when you lose your keys. This will prevent anyone from trying to use keys that you have lost, and give you peace-of-mind. If you don't report missing car keys at the time you should, you may find that someone has used them and caused the door of your vehicle damaged or ignition.
It's a sad fact that car thefts are increasing particularly when the owner has left keys inside the car. Thankfully, some insurers offer key replacement coverage as an optional rider to their comprehensive insurance policies. The price and requirements for this coverage can vary from one policy to the next.
The majority of companies only cover a small portion of the cost to replace the key fob, which could be costly. If you have a key with a smart chip that can open your doors or even start your engine, this can be more expensive to replace. In this case, it may be worth considering an alternative like a roadside assistance plan that includes a locksmith.
Contact the manufacturer of your car to find out if they offer replacements for lost keys. Some brands sell them directly and may even pair a new one to your vehicle in the dealership. These services can be cheaper than getting your car towed by the dealer and could be faster and more efficient, too. When weighing these options, it is important to take into consideration the cost of your deductible.
Call a Locksmith
There are a variety of reasons you could lose your car keys. The best way to stop this from happening is keeping a spare key on hand or by using one of the numerous Bluetooth key trackers on the market. This will allow you to locate your car within seconds, thereby saving you money on a locksmith and an extra tow to the dealer.
Inform the police as soon as you can if you lose your car keys. This will ensure that the keys don't get stolen or used by someone else. It will also help ensure that your insurance company can provide you with the appropriate insurance coverage should you need to file an claim.
If you've lost your car keys, first look through the usual places where they are stored. Then, you can contact an expert locksmith to make an appropriate replacement. They usually can make this happen in a matter of minutes and will make use of the latest technology to create a duplicate key and program it.
It is important to hire a locksmith professional with the required experience in creating these types of replacement keys. They should have the necessary tools to to remove stuck or bent keys without further damaging them. They must also be able to provide a guarantee on their work.
Some dealerships can make new keys for customers, but it is more expensive than hiring an outside locksmith. It is also important to see if your car insurance policy provides for the cost of a locksmith or new key from the dealership.