How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys can be very stressful. There are a variety of ways you can replace them.
First, try to locate them yourself. Check your bags and pockets and walk around the house.
Before you go to the dealership or a locksmith be sure to bring evidence of ownership, such as your registration number or title for your vehicle. This will help you save money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It is a good thing to have a spare key for your car, since losing them can be costly and stressful. While it's not as easy as it once was to get an extra car key there are many ways to find one.
Contacting the dealership is the easiest method to get a spare key. Dealerships have a record of the security details for every vehicle, and they can locate your car key quickly within their database. They will however require a key for you as well as pair it with your vehicle. It could cost from $200 to $500 depending on the location, the dealership and model of your car.
A locksmith can also give you an ordinary-sized key. This is cheaper than going to the dealer in particular if your car is older and doesn't come with an upgraded key. Check your warranty or insurance policy, or your auto club membership for payment.
The majority of cars today utilize a high-tech key, which is much more expensive to replace than a standard key. 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 key, it needs to be paired back to your vehicle which can only be done at the dealership.
It is important to remember that if your car is on lease, the dealer may have you turn in two sets of keys and key fobs once the lease is up. If this is the case, it's important to have a spare key and ensure that you have it before your lease ends.
The cost of a spare car key is more expensive than it was in the past however it's still worth it to prevent anxiety and costly repairs in the future. It's best to be prepared for any scenario. Keep a spare key in a safe location and know what you need to do if your keys are ever lost.
2. Contact a locksmith
It's not a secret that losing your car keys can be an enormous headache for the neck. Whether you're at the gas station, the grocery store or on your way home from work It can be painful to discover that you've forgotten your spare key in the back of your car! There are a few options to replace your keys without having to pay the dealership or a locksmith.
If you have an old lock, like a double-edged type you can purchase a new one at your local hardware store for less than $10. However, you will have to provide evidence of ownership, such as the registration of your vehicle or title. It may be more difficult to replace a key that is more technologically advanced like a smart key or a remote fob. You might have to contact an individual locksmith or the manufacturer to have a new key created.
Transponder keys are found in a majority of modern vehicles. These keys must be programmed into the computer of the vehicle. This can be done by a locksmith, but is more expensive than replacing a standard key. You can also reset your key following the directions in the owner's manual, however, it can be difficult and time-consuming, and won't always work.
If you have a designated area to store your keys you can lower the risk of them being lost. You can hang a key holder near your door or place them in the form of a bowl on tables. You can also keep a key ring around you at all times so that you always know where your keys are. It is also a good idea to declutter your home or office because a messy space can make it easier to lose things! Keep in mind that even if the keys aren't lost, you might lose them. In the event of an emergency, it's essential to create an emergency plan. It's better to be prepared rather than be stuck at the side of the road!
3. Call a Towing Service
It's a great idea to keep an extra set of keys in case you have a problem with losing your car keys often. They're fairly inexpensive and easy to keep in your car, and they will save you lots of stress in the future. A lot of newer cars have security features that make it difficult to lock yourself out. You can find this feature in the latest Longo Toyota inventory, or you can upgrade your vehicle.
There are many 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 a traditional key that isn't digitally programmed, locksmiths is likely to be able replace it easily. A smart key can make the process more complicated. The dealer must verify your VIN and provide proof ownership for an alternative key, which could take a few weeks.
Car rental companies generally do not keep spare keys in their facilities, but they will often collaborate with you to get the problem resolved. Hertz for instance offers the service of locating keys as part of its premium roadside assistance plan. The service is not available if you do not purchase additional roadside insurance.
If you are unable to receive assistance from your rental company or if you don't have an emergency roadside service plan in place, you'll need to call locksmiths or a towing service. Both can allow you to get back in your car and on the road, but each have advantages and disadvantages of their own. It's important to research the options before settling on a provider, and to store the contact information for both on hand in case you ever need them. Avoid losing your keys by all means. This means that you put them in the same place every time and not putting them in your pocket of your coat or on top of your car when parking.
4. Contact an Repair Shop
If you lose your keys to your car, it's best to have a plan to return in your vehicle. In the past, losing your car key or losing it was just a minor annoyance. Today, this can be a major issue. If you're smart, it's not as costly or difficult to get a spare key like it once was.
The first thing you'll have to determine the type of key your vehicle has. Keys that are traditional, having the mechanical shank that goes into the ignition cylinder, are usually easy to replace. A basic key without chip can cost between $10 and $12. Most recent cars come with keys with security chips built into them that need to be reprogrammed into the car to unlock doors or start the vehicle. Finding an alternative key could cost up to $200.
The process of reprogramming these chips is complex and requires specialized equipment. Locksmiths may also be able perform this procedure however it is important to find a locksmith who has the necessary skills and experience.
A key cutting shop like AutoZone can also be used. A worker will trace the contours of an operational key. This way, they'll be able to cut the new key to match the cut of the original key. The only downside is that you won't be able to drive your vehicle until the new key is cut and programmed.
If car spare key maker 'd like to try this method out, you will need your driver's licence and proof of ownership. A locksmith or dealer will decode the VIN number on these documents to locate the code required to pair a new key with your vehicle.
You can also cut down on the cost of programming by purchasing an entirely new key created and then trying to reset it yourself. Most manufacturers will include instructions on how to do this in their owner's manual. Or, you can simply search for "How to program a (your year, make and model) key" online.
