How to Avoid Losing Your Car Keys
It can be a huge trouble to lose your car keys. There are a few steps you can take to prevent this from happening.
Traditional key chains as well as a decluttering of your home or office are simple, but effective ways to ensure your car keys are safe. For more complex keys, however, you will have to call your dealership or locksmith.
Retract your steps
Following your steps back will help you locate your keys. This may sound like the most old-fashioned piece of advice however it can be very useful in finding lost items. First, look back to where you last had your keys. For instance, if you dropped them while getting out of your car, check your driveway and garage to see if they are there. If you set them on the table in the kitchen, be sure to check underneath all of the items that might have landed on it.
If retracing steps fails to work, write down what you did during the day to aid you in locating where your keys may be. This can also help narrow your search.
Check Your Hide Spots
It's a terrible feeling to lose your keys, particularly when you're running late. It's easy to get distracted and then set them down in a random location at home. That's why it's important to put your keys in the same spot when you've used them. So, they become a habit and you are aware of where they can be found in the future.
If you're looking for your keys, start by retracing the steps and looking for the usual places you may have placed them down. This includes tables, counters, and hooks for keys. You can also examine your bags and pockets for any items that might have been taken out.
Next, check the inside of your vehicle. Many people store their keys inside a compartment or bag inside the car. If your keys are equipped with fobs, it's recommended to take the fob out from its holder and then look for any indication that it's gone missing.
Finally, it's always a good idea to check the inside of the house. Many people lose their keys when wearing a coat and do not take them out before they enter the house. Begin by looking through your bags and pockets. You can also look under furniture and couch cushions to see whether you've lost keys. It could be time to contact a locksmith if you haven't found your keys. If you're lucky, they'll be capable of helping you locate the keys. If not, they're likely to be lost forever and you'll need to buy another set.
Try turning off the car
Keep an extra car key in your glove box to avoid being locked out. This will enable you to return to your vehicle, even if you've lost your key fob.
If your keys are lost, you're out of luck. This is because the keyfob comes with a wireless component that sends a message to the ignition. If it does not receive this signal and the car won't start.
Many car manufacturers have installed a fail-safe into their vehicles to avoid this problem. If the battery inside your key fob dies it will not be able transmit the signal required to start the ignition of your vehicle. However, certain cars have a switch under the steering wheel that can be turned without the the key fob. Refer to the owner's manual of your vehicle for directions on how to activate the switch.
There are several methods to start a car when it has a dead fob. But, it's a difficult task that can be risky. Some methods employ an open-ended screwdriver to start the ignition while others utilize hot wiring, a method that redirects the battery wires to start the engine. If you are considering these methods, it is best left to an auto expert who will have the necessary equipment. In the majority of cases, this will also require the expert to remove a few modules from the vehicle in order to access the appropriate security elements. The last option is to let the dealer program an entirely new key fob that will be paired with your vehicle.
Call Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance company immediately after you lose your keys. This will prevent anyone from attempting to use keys that you have lost and will give you peace of mind. If you don't report the keys missing in time, someone may have damaged the ignition or doors of your vehicle.
It's a sad fact that car thefts are increasing particularly when the owner has left their keys in the car. Some insurers offer the key replacement rider as an option to their comprehensive auto insurance policies. However, the price and conditions for this coverage could vary from policy to policy.
Most companies provide a tiny portion of the cost for replacing the key fob, which could be a costly proposition. If you have a smart key that can open your doors or even start your engine, it can be more expensive to replace. If this is the case, you may want to consider an alternative like a roadside assistance plan that includes a locksmith.
Contact the manufacturer of your vehicle to see if it offers replacement keys for keys that have been lost. Certain brands sell them directly and can even connect a new one to your vehicle at the dealership. These services are less expensive than having your car towed into the dealership, and they can be much faster as well. When weighing these options, it is important to consider the cost of your deductible.
Contact a Locksmith
There are a variety of reasons you might lose your car keys. The best way to avoid this from happening is keeping a spare key on hand, or using one of the numerous Bluetooth key trackers available. This will allow you to find your car in seconds and save you from having to pay for locksmith services or getting towed back to the dealership.
If you do happen to lose your car keys, it is crucial to report the loss as soon as possible. lost car keys will ensure that your keys aren't taken away or used by anyone else. This will help ensure that you are covered by your insurance company in the event of claims.
In the event that you do lose your car keys, the first thing you should do is check thoroughly for them in all of the usual places that they can be found. Contact a professional locksmith to get an alternative. They usually can make this happen immediately and will make use of the latest technology to make a duplicate key for you and program it.
It is also crucial to be aware that you must only work with a locksmith with experience in making these kinds of replacement keys. They should be equipped with the proper tools to get rid of stuck or bent keys without further harming them. They should also be able to offer a warranty on their work.
Some dealerships can create new keys for customers, however it will cost more than using an outside locksmith. It is also essential to determine the insurance policy of your car provides for the cost of a locksmith or a new key from the dealership.