How to Avoid Losing Your Car Keys
It can be a major hassle to lose your car keys. There are a few steps you can do to prevent this from happening.
Traditional key chains and a decluttering of your home or office are simple, but effective ways to keep your car keys secure. For more complex keys, however, you will have to call your dealership or a locksmith.
Retract Your Steps
The process of tracing your steps will help you locate your keys. This might sound like an old piece of advice but it is extremely useful in locating lost items. The first step is to go back to where you last had your keys. For instance, if lost them in the process of getting out of your car, look in your garage and driveway to see if the keys are there. Examine all the items that may have fallen on the table, if you dropped them.
If retracing your steps doesn't work, try writing down all the things you did during the day to spark memories of where your keys might be. This could also narrow down your search.
Check Your Hide Spots
It's a horrible feeling to lose your keys, particularly when it means you're in a hurry. It's easy for you to get distracted, and then set them down in a random spot at home. It's important to place your keys back in the same spot after you've used them. This will make it an automatic habit, and you'll know where to look for them in the future.
Start by retracing the steps you followed and checking common places you might have left keys. This includes countertops, tables and key hooks. You can also check in bags and pockets to see if they have been taken out.
Then, you should check the inside of your car. It's not uncommon for people to hide their keys in a bag or compartment in the car. It's a good idea if your keys come with fobs, to remove the fob from its holder and check whether it's gone missing.
In the end, it's an excellent idea to look around the property itself. Many people lose their keys when wearing coats and do not take them out before they enter the home. Start by checking your bags and pockets. You can also look under furniture and the cushions of your sofa to determine if you have lost keys. If you're still unable to locate your keys, it may be time to call a locksmith. If you're lucky, they'll be able to help you retrieve keys. If they don't, it's likely they've been lost forever and you'll need to purchase a replacement set.
Try turning the car on
The best way to prevent being locked out of your car is by keeping a spare key in the glove box. You'll still be able to enter your car if you lose your key fob.
If you have a newer car that has only keyless entry and push-button start, then you'll be out of luck if your keys are lost. The reason is that the keyfob has a wireless component that sends an email to the ignition. If it doesn't receive this signal, the car will not turn on.
Many car manufacturers have installed a fail-safe into their vehicles to avoid this problem. If the battery dies within your key fob, it will no longer be able to transmit the signal required to turn on the ignition of the vehicle. However, some cars have a switch that is hidden beneath the steering wheel that can be flipped without using your key fob. Consult key lost car for specific instructions on how to activate this switch.
There are a few ways to start a car with an unresponsive fob. However, it is a challenging task that can be risky. Some methods involve using an hammer and screwdriver to attempt to open the ignition, while others employ a technique known as hot wiring to change the route of the battery wires to get the engine started. Trying these methods is often best left to an auto technician who will have the required equipment. In the majority of cases, an expert will have to take out a few modules in order to gain access to the security components. The final option is to ask the dealer to program an entirely new key fob that will pair with your vehicle.
Call Your Insurance Company
It is recommended to contact your insurance company immediately after you lose your keys. This will stop anyone from using the keys you lost, and give you peace-of-mind. If you don't report the keys that are missing at the right time, someone might have damaged the doors of your car or ignition.
It's a sad fact that car thefts are on the rise particularly when the owner has left their keys inside the vehicle. Thankfully, some insurers offer key replacement insurance as an optional rider to their comprehensive car insurance policies. The price and requirements for this coverage differ from one policy to another.
Most companies only provide a tiny portion of the cost for replacing the key fob, which can be an expensive proposition. If you have a smart key that can open your doors or start the engine, this can be even more costly to replace. If this is the case, you may want to consider an alternative such as a roadside service plan that includes the locksmith.
You should also check with the manufacturer of your vehicle to find out if they provide replacements for lost fobs. Certain brands offer them directly and can even pair a new one to your car in the dealership. These services are less expensive than getting your car towed to the dealership and can be much faster, too. But, you must take into account the cost of your deductible before weighing these options.
Contact a locksmith
There are a myriad of reasons you could lose your car keys. The best way to prevent this from happening is by keeping a spare key on hand or by using one of the many Bluetooth key trackers available. This will allow you to locate your car in a matter of seconds, saving you money on a locksmith as well as returning the vehicle for the dealer.
If you do end up losing the keys to your car, it is crucial to report the loss as soon as you can. This will help to ensure that the keys aren't stolen or used by anyone else. It will also help ensure that your insurance company can provide you with the right coverage if you need to make a claim.
If you have lost your car keys, first go through all the normal places where they are stored. You can then contact an expert locksmith to make a replacement. They can usually do this on the spot, and they will use the latest technology to make a duplicate key for you and then program it.
car keys lost is important to choose a professional locksmith with the required knowledge and experience in making these kinds of replacement keys. They should be equipped with the appropriate tools to remove bent or stuck keys without further causing damage to them. They must also be able to give you a warranty on their work.
Some dealerships can create new keys for their customers, but this will cost more than working with an outside locksmith. It is also important to determine whether your insurance will cover the cost of a dealer or locksmith.