Lost Spare Car Key? Here's What to Do

A few years ago, losing your car keys wasn't an issue. You could call your local locksmith, and they would make an appropriate replacement key for you.

Today, it's a lot more complicated. It's dependent on the type of key you've got and if you've lost your spare. Here are a few tips to help you locate your car keys.

Retract your steps

We all have things that go missing. Maybe you're running an errand and forget to put your keys on the hook in the entryway, or you're just returning home from a long day at work and throw them on the couch. Whatever the case it can be a hassle and stressful to lose your car key.

Take a deep breath, and don't panic. Remember, your keys aren't lost forever. You are still able to find them with an extensive search! It's important to have an emergency plan, such as calling a professional locksmith for your car, just in case.

Now that you've calmed down and regained control of your emotions, you can start searching for your keys. One of the best ways to retrace your steps is simply remembering the last time you saw them. It's much simpler than you think, particularly if you can close your eyes and visualize the spot where you last observed them.

Begin by thinking about where they might be. This includes your car, your home, and other common areas that you may have visited throughout the day. You can ask your family or Lost Spare Car Key friends to help you find your way. This will help you see more!

Examine the handle on the driver's door and center console in your vehicle for signs of an extra. Also, be sure to examine any pockets or bags you might have been carrying around during the day. Check all the compartments in your car. It's not uncommon for keys to be "lost" within.

Check Your Hideouts

Your car keys can be difficult to locate no matter how careful or diligent you are. They're among the most frequently lost items, and they can quickly turn into an absolute nightmare in the blink of inattention. There are a few steps you could do prior to calling a locksmith in case you've misplaced your spare keys to your car.

It's important to check where you usually keep your keys before you start looking for them. Examine the key bowl or key holder on your table. You can also ask someone in the vicinity like an employee or a customer. They might have spotted your keys during your shopping spree or have spotted them while they were cleaning up.

It's a good idea to keep spare keys hidden in your car. If the hood of your car can be opened from the outside, it is essential to put the spare key in a safe nook so that it won't be smashed when the hood closes. There are also a number of mini-vaults and magnetic containers that can be mounted on your car and keep your keys safe and easy to find.

You can also place a spare car key in the tailpipe of your vehicle, but this is not very discreet and can be difficult to locate. It's also possible that the tailpipe will be covered with mud or snow and it will be difficult to locate the key inside.

Another location where people may put their keys behind the tires. This is a simple and effective method of keeping your keys hidden, but it's important to keep in mind that your car's tires are visible regardless of what you're wearing, therefore this method isn't ideal for those who wear shorts or skirts.

You can leave your spare key with a family member or trusted friend, especially if you're traveling and do not want it to be lost. If you do have a proximity key, be careful about leaving it with strangers as some thieves could use signal relay and amplifier technology to snoop on the signal from your key fob and unlock your car, even when the key is miles away.

Take a look inside Your Car

There's no telling how you'll lose something, especially keys, so it's essential to look for it in every possible location. This involves going back to the last place you remember using it and retracing your steps and reaching out to workers or owners of the places you've been to and could have lost it.

If you think that you've left your keys in the car, you should check. This means checking the glove box (it's a common place to store keys for a spare car), the area under the front seats, and the elusive black hole inside cars that can swallow a small object like a key fob.

Check any purses or bags that you carry around for any bags or purses, as they could be containing keys that were lost. You will need to carefully look through all compartments and pockets of your purse or backpack. Feel around for areas with zippers and take items like makeup and sunglasses from your bag to check underneath.

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

You can avoid this scenario by having an extra car key. However, you should add a Bluetooth tracker to your key to make it easier to keep track of the keys. These tiny devices attach to your keys and emit a unique signature, which allows you to connect them to an application on your phone to be aware of where they are at all times.

You can also reach out to your dealer and ask them to create a new key for you. As they already have the security information for your car and can complete the process quickly. If you own a smart vehicle however, it could be more challenging as they'll have to pair the new key to your vehicle, which can take a bit longer. This is why it's so important to have a backup car key!

Contact a Locksmith

If you can't locate your car keys, it's essential to call a locksmith as soon as you can. Not only will this help you get into your car and get back inside, but it will ensure that no one else has access. If you do not immediately report the loss of your key fob right away it could cause further issues later on - like an impersonation attempt by someone else.

Most modern cars require a key fob in order to unlock and operate the vehicle. If you have lost your key fob it is crucial to have a spare avoid having to pay for the vehicle to be towed to the dealer and then pay for a new set of keys.

A locksmith will be able to make a new key for your car without needing to know the specifics of the security system of your vehicle. They can also disable the old key so that it cannot be used again. A locksmith can tell you which type of car key you need according to the information on your registration or title.

It is best to avoid the loss of your car keys by keeping them in a secure location, away from your keychain or lanyard. This will make it less likely that you will accidentally drop your keys or that they will disappear from your pocket.

Another method to avoid the loss of your spare car key is to write down your vehicle identification number (VIN) and keep it in your wallet at all at all times. It is a unique number that helps identify your car, and it can be found on the driver's side dashboard the door jamb or the frame of your car.

If you're looking to replace a spare car key or just want to lower the risk of losing it in the first place an experienced locksmith in your area is the best option for getting your life back on course. It's also less expensive than a trip to the dealership and you might be able have the spare key created on-site.