How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys can be extremely stressful. There are a variety of ways you can replace them.
First, try to locate them yourself. Examine your bags and pockets and then look around the home.
Make sure you bring proof of ownership prior to visiting a dealer or locksmith. This could be your vehicle registration or title. This will help you save money.
1. Contact car key lost
Having a spare car key is a good option, since losing your car keys can be extremely costly and stressful. While it's not as easy as it was in the past to obtain an extra car key there are several ways to still obtain one.
The easiest way to get a spare car key is to contact the dealership. Dealerships keep a record of the security information for every vehicle, and they can find yours quickly in their database. They'll need to make you a key, and then pair it with your car. This can cost between $200 and $500 based on your location and the dealership you choose and the model of your vehicle.
Another option is to have a locksmith make you an ordinary key. This is less expensive than going to the dealership in particular if your car is older and doesn't come with a more advanced key. Make sure to check your warranty, insurance policy or auto club membership for details on how to pay.
The majority of cars today use a sophisticated key that is more expensive to replace than a conventional key. These keys have a transponder chip on them that communicates with the vehicle's system to unlock and start the engine. If you lose your smart keys, they'll have to be paired with your vehicle. This is only done by the dealership.
If your vehicle is leased, your dealer might require that you return two sets of keys or key fobs at the expiration of the lease. It is essential to have a spare set of keys and key fobs in the event that this happens.
It's more expensive to purchase an extra key, but it's still worthwhile if you want to avoid the hassle of expensive repairs in the future. It's always best to be prepared in case you face a problem so ensure you keep a spare in a secure location and be aware of what to do in the event that you lose your car keys.
2. Contact a locksmith
It's no secret that losing your car keys can be an absolute headache for the neck. When you're at the gas station, the grocery store, or on your return from work it can be extremely painful to discover that you've left your spare key in the back seat of your car! Luckily, there are a few ways to replace your keys without having to pay the dealership or a locksmith.
If you have an old key such as a double-edged key, you can get an alternative one at your local hardware store for less than $10. You'll need evidence of ownership, such as the title or registration for your vehicle. If you have a technologically advanced key, like a remote fob or a smart key, it might be harder to replace. You might have to contact an emergency locksmith in your area or the manufacturer to have a new key created.
The majority of modern vehicles have a transponder key that needs to be programmed with the vehicle's computer. This can be accomplished by a locksmith, however it will cost more than replacing a standard key. You can also try to reset your key by following the instructions in the owner's manual but this can be difficult and time-consuming, and isn't always successful.
You can lower the risk of losing your keys by having a specific location to store keys. You can put an empty bowl or key holder on a table close to your door. You can keep a key ring around your person at all times to ensure you are always aware of where your keys are. It is also a good idea to organize your home or office because a messy space can make it easier to lose things! Keep in mind that even if the keys aren't lost, you might forget them. In the event of an emergency, it's important to create an emergency plan. It's better to be prepared than be stuck on the side of the road!
3. Call a Towing Service
It's a great idea to keep a spare set of keys if are someone who loses car keys frequently. These are easy to store and affordable and will spare you a great deal of stress in the future. Many of the latest vehicles come with security features that make it more difficult to secure yourself. Check out the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle with this feature, or consider upgrading your current vehicle to one with this feature.
While there are many ways to get your car keys replaced, the specifics will depend on the kind of key you own and how it was lost. If you own a traditional key that is not digitally programmed locksmiths can replace it. If you own a smart key, however, this can be a more complex procedure. The dealer must examine the VIN and provide proof of ownership in order to get a replacement key, which may take a few days.
Car rental companies usually do not keep spare keys in their facilities However, they'll often collaborate with you to get the problem solved. Hertz for instance, does offer a lost key service as part of its roadside assistance plan. However this service isn't provided in the event that you don't buy additional roadside protection.
If your rental company is unable to assist you, or you do not have their emergency roadside service plan, your next option is to contact a towing service or locksmith. Both can get you back into your vehicle and back on the road however each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. It is important to look into both options and keep the contact information of both providers available in case of emergency. Also, try to avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means you should always put them in the same spot.
4. Contact an Repair Shop
When you lose your car keys, it's always better to have a strategy for getting back in the vehicle. In the past, misplacing your car key or losing it was a minor inconvenience. Today, this can be a major problem. If you're smart, it's not as difficult or expensive to get a spare key as it was.
The first thing you'll need to identify the kind of key your car has. The traditional keys with mechanical shanks that insert into the ignition are easy to replace. A standard key without a chip will cost between $10 and $12. But, newer cars use keys with built-in security chips that need to be reprogrammed by the car to open the doors or start it. Replacement keys for these cars can cost as much as $200.
The chips can be reprogrammed at a local dealership however the process is complex and requires special equipment. Locksmiths may also be able to provide this service however it is important to choose a locksmith with the proper expertise and tools.
A key cutting shop such as AutoZone is also a possibility. A worker will trace the contours of an operational key. This way, they'll be able to cut the new key to match the original key's cut. The only downside to this is that you won't be allowed to drive your car until you have the new key cut and programmed to your vehicle.
If you're interested in trying this method, ensure you bring the actual working key together with your driver's licence and evidence of ownership. A locksmith or dealer can decode the VIN on these documents to determine the key code needed to connect a key to your car.
You can also save money on the programming costs by having an entirely new key cut, then trying to reset it yourself. The instructions are available in the owner's manual or online.