How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys can be very stressful. Luckily, there are a variety of methods to replace them.
The first step is to locate them yourself. Take a look in all your pockets and bags, and look around the house.
Before visiting the dealership or a locksmith, make sure to have evidence of ownership, such as your vehicle registration or title. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It is a good thing to have a spare key for your car, as losing them can be expensive and stressful. Although it's not as simple as it once was to obtain an extra car key there are several ways you can still get one.
Contacting the dealership is the easiest method to get a spare key. Dealerships keep a record of security information for each vehicle and can quickly find your keys in their system. They'll need to make you a key and connect it to your car. It could cost between $200 and $500 based on your location, the dealership you use and the model of your car.
Another option is to have a locksmith create you an ordinary key. This can be cheaper than going to the dealership in particular if your car is older and doesn't come with an upgraded key. It's also important to check your car's warranty, car insurance policy or auto club membership to see if they will pay for a new key fob.
The majority of cars today have an expensive, sophisticated key that is hard to replace. These keys 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 have to be paired with your vehicle. This is only done by the dealership.
If your car is leased, the dealer might require that you return two sets of keys or key fobs at end of the lease. If this is the case, it's important to have a spare set and ensure that you have it before the lease is up.
A spare car key is more expensive than it was in the past but it's worth it to prevent the stress and costly repairs in the future. It's best to be prepared for any situation. Keep a spare key in a secure location and be aware of what you need to do if your keys get lost.
2. Call a Locksmith
It's no secret that losing your car keys can be a nightmare. Whether you're at the gas station, at the grocery store, or on the way home from work It can be difficult to realize that you have left your spare key in the back seat of your car! Luckily, there are several ways to get your keys replaced without having to pay the locksmith or dealership.
If you have an old key, like a double-edged one, you can get an alternative one at your local hardware store for less than $10. You will need to show proof of ownership such as the title or registration for your vehicle. It might be more difficult to replace a key which is more advanced in technology like a smart key or remote fob. You may have to call an individual locksmith or the manufacturer to get a new key created.
Transponder keys are used in a majority of modern automobiles. They have to be programmed into the computer of the vehicle. This can be accomplished by a locksmith, however it is more expensive than replacing the standard key. You can also reset your key by following the directions in the owner's manual however, this is laborious and time-consuming, and it will not always work.
You can reduce your chances of losing your keys by having a dedicated space to keep keys. You can hang a key holder close to your door or place them in the form of a bowl on a table. You can always keep a key ring around with you so you are aware of where your keys will be. You can also declutter your home or office, as a messy space is a higher risk to lose items. Keep in spare key replacement that even if the keys are never lost, you may forget them. It's essential to have an emergency plan in case this occurs. It's better to be prepared than to be stuck on the side of the road!
3. Call a Towing Service
If you are the type of person who regularly loses your car keys it is recommended to purchase an extra. These are fairly cheap and simple to keep on hand, and they will save you lots of stress in the future. Many newer vehicles have safety features that make it difficult to secure yourself. This feature is available in the new Longo Toyota inventory, or you can upgrade your car.
There are many ways to replace your car keys however the exact procedure will differ based on the type of key you have and the way it was lost. For instance, if you have an old-fashioned key that's not digitally programmed, locksmiths is likely to be able replace it with ease. A smart key could make the process more complicated. The dealer will need to run your VIN and provide proof ownership to get you a new key, which can take several weeks.
The majority of car rental companies don't keep spare keys in their facilities, but will help you resolve the problem. Hertz offers a lost-key service as part of its premium roadside support plan. However, this service isn't available in the event that you don't buy additional roadside protection coverage.
If your rental provider isn't able to help you, or you do not have their emergency roadside service plan, the next step is to call an towing service or locksmith. Both can get you back in your car and back on the roads, but they each have distinct advantages and disadvantages. It's important to research the options before settling on a service, and also to keep the contact details for both on hand in case you ever need them. Also, you should avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means placing them in the same place every time, and not putting them in your pocket of your coat or on the top of your car when you're parking.
4. Contact a Repair Shop
When you lose your keys to your car, it's better to have a strategy for how to get back in your vehicle. In the past, misplacing your car key or losing it was a minor issue. Nowadays, this could be a major issue. If you're intelligent, it's not nearly as expensive or difficult to get a spare key like it was.
The first thing you'll have to identify the kind of key your car has. Traditional keys, with just the mechanical shank that goes into the ignition cylinder, are generally simple to replace. A basic key that does not have a chip can cost between $10 and $12. However, modern cars have keys that come with security chips that have to be reprogrammed by the car in order to open the doors or start it. Finding the keys replaced could cost up to $200.
These chips can be programmed at your local dealership however, the process is a bit complicated and requires special equipment. Locksmiths may also be able to perform this service, but it's important to find one who has the necessary skills and experience.
Another option is to visit an establishment that cuts keys, such as AutoZone, where an associate will pick up a working key and trace its contours. The key cutting shop will be able to cut a key that matches the original's cut. The only downside 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'd like try this method you'll require a driver's license and evidence of ownership. A dealer or locksmith will be able to decode the VIN on these documents in order to determine the key code needed to connect a key to your car.
You can also cut down on the cost of programming by having an entirely new key cut, then attempting to reset it yourself. Most manufacturers will have instructions on how to do this in the owner's manual, or you can look up "How to program a (your year model, make and year) key" online.