How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your keys to your car can be quite stressful. There are several ways you can replace them.
Begin by locating them yourself. Check all your bags and pockets and walk around the home.
Before you go to the dealership or a locksmith ensure that you have evidence of ownership, such as your vehicle registration or title. This will help you save money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It's a good idea to have a spare key for your car, as losing them can be expensive and stressful. While it isn't as easy as it used to be to find a spare car key, there are many ways to find one.
Contacting the dealership is the easiest way to obtain a spare key. Dealerships maintain records of security details for each vehicle and will be able to locate your keys in their system. They will however require a key for you, and join it to your car. It could cost from $200 to $500, depending on the location, dealership and make of your car.
A locksmith can also create you a standard-sized key. This is a much cheaper alternative to going to the dealer, especially in the case of an older car that doesn't have an upgraded key. Make sure to check your warranty or insurance policy, or your auto club membership for details on how to pay.
Most of today's cars use a sophisticated key that is more expensive to replace than a standard key. They have a transponder chip that communicates with the vehicle's system to allow the vehicle to start and unlock the engine. If you lose your smart keys, they'll need to be paired with your vehicle. This is only possible through the dealership.
If your vehicle is leased, your dealer may ask you to return two sets of keys or key fobs at the end of the lease. It is essential to have a spare set of keys and key fobs just in case this happens.
It's more costly to buy an extra key, but it is still worthwhile if you want to save yourself from stress and costly repairs in the future. It is always advisable to be prepared before you encounter a problem, so make sure you keep a spare in a secure location and be aware of what to do in the event that you ever lose your car keys.
2. Call a locksmith
It's not a secret that losing your car keys can be an enormous discomfort to the neck. It can be a bit frustrating to find out that you've left the spare car key in the back seat of your vehicle, whether you're at a gas station, grocery store, or just returning home from work. There are many ways to replace your keys, without having to pay a dealership or locksmith.
If you have a conventional key, such as a standard double-edged car key, you are able to visit your local hardware store and purchase an alternative for less than $10. You'll need to provide proof of ownership such as the registration or title for your vehicle. If you have a more technologically advanced key, for instance an electronic remote fob or smart key, it might be harder to replace. It is possible to contact an emergency locksmith in your area or the manufacturer to have an entirely new key.
Most modern vehicles use transponder keys that need to be programmed using the car's computer. A locksmith can help you do this however it is more expensive than replacing an old key. You can also reset your key by following the directions in the owner's manual, however, this is lengthy and time-consuming, and it isn't always successful.
If you have a designated spot to keep your keys, you can reduce the chances of them being lost. You can place a bowl or a key holder on a table close to your door. It is always a good idea to keep a key ring around with you to know where your keys will be. You can also try to tidy up your office or home because a messy space can make it easier to lose things! Remember that even if you're not the type to lose your keys, it's possible that you'll lose the keys! In the event of an emergency, it's essential to prepare a backup plan. It's better to be prepared than to be stranded on the side of the road!
3. Call a Towing Service
It's a great idea to have a spare set of keys if have a problem with losing your car keys often. They're easy to store and are inexpensive and will spare you a lot of stress in the future. A lot of newer cars have safety features that make it difficult to lock yourself out. Check out the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle that has this feature, or think about changing your vehicle to one that has it.
There are many ways to replace your car key, but the specifics will differ based on the type of key and how it was misplaced. If you own a traditional, non-digitally programmed key, locksmiths can replace it. If you have a digital key, however, this can be a more complicated procedure. The dealer will have to run the VIN and provide proof of ownership to get an alternative key for you this could take several days.
The majority of car rental companies don't keep spare keys in their facilities, but will help you resolve the issue. Hertz provides a lost-key service as part of its premium roadside support plan. The service is not available if you don't purchase additional roadside coverage.
If your rental company can't help you, or you do not have their emergency roadside service plan, your next option is to call a locksmith or towing service. Both will get you back into your vehicle and back on the road, but each has advantages and disadvantages. It is important to study each option before selecting a provider, and to store the contact information for both in case you need them. Be sure to keep your keys safe by all means. This means that you put them in the same place every time and not leaving them in your pocket of your coat or on the top of your car when you're parking.
4. Contact a Repair Shop
If you lose your keys to your car, it's better to have a strategy for getting back in your vehicle. In the past, losing your car keys or losing it was just a minor annoyance. Nowadays, this could be a major issue. If you're smart, it's not as costly or difficult to purchase a spare key like it was.
The first thing you'll need determine the kind of key your vehicle has. The traditional keys with mechanical shanks that insert into the ignition are simple to replace. A basic key that does not have a chip is priced between $10 and $12. Most recent cars have keys with security chips in. These keys must be programmed to unlock doors or start the vehicle. Replacement keys for these cars can cost up to $200.
lost car keys no spare of reprogramming these chips is complex and requires the use of specialized equipment. Locksmiths may also be able to provide this procedure, but it's important to find one who has the proper expertise and tools.
A key cutting shop, such as AutoZone is also a possibility. A staff member will trace the contours of an operational key. This will allow them to cut an entirely new key that is in line with the original key's cuts. The only drawback is that you won't be allowed to drive your vehicle until you have the new key cut and programmable to the vehicle.
If you want to try this method, make sure you have the original working key along with your driver's license and proof of ownership. A dealer or locksmith can decode the VIN number on these documents to find the code that's needed to connect a brand new key to your vehicle.
You can also save on the programming costs by having the key cut from a new one and then trying to reset it yourself. Most manufacturers will have instructions on how to do this in their owner's manual, or you can look up "How to program a (your year model, make and year) key" online.