How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys can be very stressful. There are many ways to replace them.
Find them first by yourself. Check all your bags and pockets and then look around the house.
Before you visit the dealership or 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
Having a spare car key is a good idea, since losing your car keys can be a huge financial burden and stressful. While it's not as easy as it was in the past to find a spare car key, there are several ways to still find one.
Contacting the dealership is the easiest method to obtain a replacement key. Dealerships maintain records of security information for each vehicle and can quickly find your key in their database. They will however require a key for you and pair it with your vehicle. It could cost between $200 and $500 depending on where you live and the dealership you choose and the model of your vehicle.
Another alternative is to have a locksmith design you a standard key. This is a cheaper alternative to visiting the dealer, particularly if you have an older vehicle which doesn't come with an advanced key. Check your warranty, insurance policy or auto club membership for payment.
The majority of cars today have an expensive, sophisticated key that is difficult to replace. These keys have a transponder chip that communicates with the vehicle's systems to unlock and start the engine. If you lose your smart keys, they will need to be connected to your vehicle. This is only done by the dealership.
If your vehicle is leased, your dealer may require you to return two sets of keys or key fobs at expiration of the lease. It is essential to have a spare set of keys and key fobs just in case this happens.
It's more expensive to purchase a spare key, however it's still worthwhile if you want to avoid the hassle of expensive repairs in the future. It is best to be prepared for any situation. Keep a spare key in a safe location and be aware of what you need to do if your keys get lost.
2. Contact a locksmith
It's not a secret that losing your car keys can be a real pain in the neck. If you're at a gas station, at the grocery store, or on your way home from work, it can be very difficult to realize that you've 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 the dealership.
If you have an old key, like a double-edged type you can purchase an alternative one at your local hardware store for less than $10. But, get spare key made for car 'll have to provide evidence of ownership, like the registration of your vehicle or the title. If you have a technologically advanced key, for instance an electronic remote fob or smart key, it could be harder to replace. You might need to contact your local locksmith or the manufacturer to have a replacement made for you.
Transponder keys are used in the majority of modern automobiles. These keys must 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 following the directions in the owner's manual but this can be difficult and time-consuming, and will not always work.
You can lower the risk of losing your keys in the first place by having a dedicated place to put keys. You can hang a key holder near your door or put them in an empty bowl on tables. It is always a good idea to keep a key ring close to you so you know where your keys will be. You can also attempt to declutter your home or office because a messy space can make it easier to lose things! Remember that even if not prone to losing your keys, it's possible that you could forget the keys! In case of an emergency, it's crucial to create an emergency plan. It's better to be prepared than to be stuck on the side of the road!
3. Call for a Towing Service
It's a good idea to keep an extra set of keys in case you have a problem with losing your car keys frequently. They are simple to store and affordable, and will save you a great deal of stress in future. Many of the latest vehicles come with security features that make it difficult to secure yourself. This feature is available in the latest Longo Toyota inventory, or you can upgrade your vehicle.
There are a variety of ways to replace your car keys however the exact procedure will vary based on the type of key you have and the way it was lost. For example, if you have an old-fashioned key that's not digitally programmed, locksmiths will be able to replace it with ease. If you have a digital key however, this could be a much more involved process. The dealer will have to run the VIN and provide proof of ownership to get an alternative key for you and it could take several days.
Most car rental companies don't keep spare keys on-site however they will help you resolve the problem. Hertz provides a lost-key service as part of its premium roadside assistance plan. The service is not available if you don't purchase additional roadside coverage.
If your rental company is unable to assist you, or if you don't have their roadside emergency service plan, the next step is to contact a towing service or locksmith. Both can help you get back in your car and on the road however each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. It is important to study both options before choosing the best one, and to keep the contact information for both on hand in case you ever need them. Also, you should avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means that you put them in the same spot each time and not putting them in your pocket of your coat or on top of your car when you're parking.
4. Call a Repair Shop
If you've lost your car keys, it's always best to have a plan for how to get back in your vehicle. It wasn't that long ago that losing your key was just an inconvenience, but now it's a big problem. If you're smart, it's not as difficult or expensive to purchase an extra key as it was in the past.
You'll first need to determine the type of key your vehicle is using. Keys made of traditional design, which have an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition cylinder, are generally simple to replace. A basic key with no chip can cost between $10 and $12. However, more recent cars have keys that come with security chips that must be reprogrammed to the car in order to unlock the doors or start it. Getting a replacement for these keys could cost up to $200.
The chips can be reprogrammed at your local dealer however the process is complicated and requires specialized equipment. Locksmiths may also be able perform this procedure but it's crucial to find one who has the right experience and tools.
Another option is to visit a key cutting shop like AutoZone, where an associate will use a key that is working and trace its contours. This way, they'll be able to cut an entirely new key that is in line with the original key's cuts. The only downside to this is that you won't be able 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 working key together with your driver's license and proof of ownership. A dealer or locksmith can decode the VIN on these documents to determine the key code needed to connect a key to your vehicle.
You can also save on the cost of programming by having the key cut from a new one and then attempting to reset it yourself. The instructions are available in the owner's manual or on the internet.