Lost Spare Car Key? Here's What to Do

A few years ago the loss of your car keys was not a big deal. You could contact your local locksmith and they would make a replacement key for you.

Today, it's a lot more complicated. It depends on what kind of key you've got and whether you've lost your spare. Here are some tips to assist you in finding your car keys.

Retract your Steps

We all get things lost. Maybe you're running an task and forget to place your keys on the hook in the entryway, or maybe you are just coming home after a long day at work and throw them on the couch. Whatever the case it can be a hassle and stressful to lose your spare car key.

Take a deep breath and don't be afraid. Keep in mind that your keys won't be lost forever. You are still able to find them with an exhaustive search! It's important to have a backup plan in place for emergencies, like calling a professional locksmith for your car in case of emergency.

Once you've cooled down and are able to control your emotions, you are now able to begin searching for your keys. One of the most effective ways to retrace your steps is by simply thinking back on the last time you were able to see them. It's a lot easier than you might think, particularly if can shut your eyes and visualize the exact location you last observed them.

Start by thinking about the places they could be. This includes your car, the house and any other common places that you may have visited during the day. You can ask your family or friends to help you search. This will give you a fresh set of eyes!

Check the driver's door handle and the center console of your vehicle for indications of an extra. Also, make sure to look through any bags or pockets that you've carried around during the day. It's not unusual for keys to be "lost" in the car, so make certain to check every compartment in your vehicle!

Check Your Hideouts

However careful you are in your vehicle, keys to your car are a bit difficult to keep track of. They're one of the most frequently lost items, and they could quickly turn into a nightmare in a second of naivete. There are a few steps you could take before calling a locksmith in case you've lost your keys to your car.

It's worth checking the place you typically keep your keys before searching for them. If you have a key holder by the door or a key bowl on a table, make sure you check the places first. It's also a good idea to ask others who live nearby for instance, a store worker or fellow customer. They may have seen them in the midst of your shopping trip, or spotted them when cleaning up.

Many people store their spare keys in the car, and this could be a great option. However, if your vehicle has an hood that can be opened externally, it's important to ensure that the spare key is kept in a safe spot that won't get crushed when the hood is closed. Magnetic boxes and mini-vaults can be attached to your vehicle, keeping your keys safe and easily accessible.

You could also put an extra key in the tailpipe of your car, however this method is typically difficult to use and is not very discrete. You might also notice that the tailpipe is covered in snow, mud or ice which makes it difficult to locate the key.

Another place where people sometimes put their keys behind the tires. This is a great place to conceal your keys, but you should be aware that the tires of your car will be visible no matter what you wear.

You can also leave your spare key with someone in your family or a trusted friend, especially if you are you're traveling and don't want it to get lost key for car. If you have a proximity car key, don't leave it with strangers. Certain thieves may employ signal relay technology and amplifiers to elude the key fob's signal to unlock your car even if it is miles away.

Check Inside Your Car

It's impossible to predict where you might lose something such as a key fob, and this isn't an exception. It's therefore advisable to look everywhere. This includes returning to the last place you remember using it then retracing your steps and contacting workers or the owners of places you've visited, and possibly replacing lost keys to a car it at.

It's important to check your car for the keys if you think you may have left them in there. This includes looking in the glove compartment (it's the most common location to store a spare car key) as well as the area beneath the front seats, and the elusive black hole inside cars that could swallow a small item like a key fob.

It is also important to examine the backpacks or purses that you carry with you, as they might contain a missing car key. You will need to carefully go through all compartments and pockets of your backpack or purse. Feel around for areas with zippers and take items like sunglasses and makeup from your bag in order to examine the contents beneath.

Contact a locksmith if tried these steps but are unable to locate your car keys. They'll help you replace your lost car keys and get you back on the road in no time.

A spare car key can be the ideal solution to stay out of this stressful situation, but you should also consider adding a Bluetooth key tracker to your keys, so that they are easier to keep in check. These tiny devices attach to your keys and emit a distinctive signature, which allows you to connect them to an app on your phone and be aware of where they are at any time.

Another option is to call your dealer and ask them to make a new car keys for you. Because they already have security details for your car and can complete the process quickly. If you own a sophisticated vehicle however, it could be more difficult as they'll need to pair the new key with your vehicle, which may take a little longer. This is why it's so important to have a backup car key!

Contact a Locksmith

If you're unable to locate your car keys in an unlikely event, it's imperative that you contact a locksmith immediately. This will not only help you get into your car and get back inside, but it will ensure that no one else has access. If you don't notify the lost key fob as soon as you can it could cause more issues later on - like someone trying to impersonate you.

Modern cars require a keyfob in order to unlock and operate them. If you lose your key fob, it is essential to have a spare to avoid having to for the vehicle to be taken to the dealer and then pay for a new set of keys.

A locksmith can create an entirely new key for your car without knowing the exact specifics of the security system. They will also be able to disable the original key to ensure that nobody can use it again. Locksmiths can tell you which type of car key you need based on the information in your registration or title.

To keep your spare keys from getting lost, it is recommended to store your keys in a safe location separate from your keychain. This will make it much less likely that you will accidentally drop the keys or that they will escape from your pocket.

You can also prevent the loss of the spare car key by writing down your vehicle identification (VIN) number and keeping it with you. It is a unique number that helps identify your vehicle and can be found on the driver's dashboard or door jamb frame of your vehicle.

A locksmith in your neighborhood can assist you in getting back on course, whether you want to replace your spare car key or reduce the risk of it being lost. It's also cheaper than going to the dealer and you might be able have the spare key made on-site.