Five I Lost My Only Car Key Projects For Any Budget

What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

Things get lost in the whirlwind of life including kids, errands, work, socializing with friends, etc. Sometimes it's the little things such as keys.

For most vehicles, a new key can be created at your local hardware store along with evidence of ownership (car registration or title). This is a low-cost alternative.

Retract Your Steps

There is nothing more frustrating than losing your only car key and not being able to get in your vehicle. It can cost you time, money and peace of mind. The first thing you should do in the event that you lose the only key to your vehicle is to be calm. Panicking will not help you locate your keys any quicker, and it could even make things worse.

Begin by attempting to remember the last time you had your keys. They might have been lost when you brought groceries in or perhaps you put them in your pocket when you were out running an outing. Following your steps can aid in finding your keys in no time at all.

If retracing your steps does not work, you can try writing down all of the places you have been throughout the day. This will help you to remember where you were and could provide you with clues as to where your keys are. Once you've jotted down all the possible places where your keys might be, double check each place again. You may find that keys "drift" on the floor, side or under something, and you'll be able to pick them up exactly where you left them.

Check Inside Your Car

A few years ago, misplacing--or even losing--a car key was not a big deal. In the past, most people kept spare keys in a small, tin-like box that was connected to their vehicle. Nowadays, however, vehicles are becoming more advanced in technology and that means the keys are more likely to go missing. Replacing a stolen or lost car key can involve several steps and can cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the type of vehicle and year of the model. It is essential to have a spare key for your car in the event that you lose the original.

Before you start freaking out about losing your sole car key Take your breath and try to stay calm. Once you've calmed down you can go through the steps to locate it. Retrace your steps, and try to remember the last time you held your keys. It's not unusual to carry your keys while you reach for other things, and often they end in the back of your car where they aren't visible.

The next thing to do is to thoroughly search your vehicle, particularly the places where you usually place them. You might have left them on the dashboard when you stepped out of your vehicle to go into a store, or perhaps you reached into your bag to grab snacks and accidentally threw them out of there.

Take a look in your pockets, purses and bags. You might not be aware of your deep pockets or large bags.

Contact a locksmith if you can't find your keys. If you have an old-fashioned key made of metal with no electronic components, you can obtain a replacement right away. If, however, you own an older key fob that has chips, you'll have to contact your dealership and possibly provide proof of ownership in order to receive an exchange.

Check Your Hide Spots

If you were in a hurry to get out the door, distracted while trying to eat your sandwich and talk on the phone or you simply forgot your keys It's easy to forget keys when you're working. The good thing is that the majority of people have a spare key they keep in their home or office that can be located in the correct spot. If you have an extra key, you need to look over all the places you've previously stored keys. These include obvious places like a purse, backpack or a sofa pocket or even a stack on your desk, or a dresser drawer. Ask a friend to do the same.

There are also magnetic boxes and mini-vaults made to stick onto your vehicle to allow you to keep a spare key inside it. They are great to hide keys since they won't fall off when you drive over bumps and can protect your keys from the elements. A lot of these storage units also come with combination locks, which means even if someone gets the key but they aren't able to open it without your help.

A fake rock with a hidden compartment is another way to keep keys hidden. This is a good idea for outdoor areas. However, vehicle you should be aware of the fact that burglars will often look for these items. If you opt to go this route you can try using dark duct tape to make it harder for thieves to detect.

One final place to check is the hood of your vehicle. If you have an ignition key that opens the cap for gas, this can be a great spot to hide it because it won't be so obvious. Use a strong tape to stop the key from slipping off or scratching the paint on your vehicle when you remove it.

There are ways to minimize the impact of keys missing from your car in your day-to-day life. You can find your keys by Retracting Your steps and examining the most likely hiding spots. Calling a local locksmith will also help you avoid wasting time and money.

Contact a Locksmith

Unless you have a spare set of keys stashed somewhere the best thing you can do in the event that you lose the only car key you have is to call locksmith. They can help you recover the key quickly and offer advice on how to avoid this happening again in the future. If you know someone who has a key duplication shop for cars nearby, that's another option, but keep in mind that these types of establishments usually require the specific make, model and year of your vehicle in order to copy keys correctly.

You'll need visit your dealer if your vehicle is an older model or is equipped with an electronic fob. This can be costly particularly if they have to purchase the right key for your vehicle and it could take days or even weeks.

A thing that many do not realize is that a professional locksmith can usually offer the same services as dealers but at only a fraction of the cost. Insurance policies often cover locksmith costs or towing in the event of a lost car keys how to replace or stolen key, and some provide roadside assistance and send professionals to your location to assist you get back into your vehicle.

It's worth checking the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before choosing the dealer. It's essential to notify your keys as quickly as you can. This will ensure that no one else will be able to access your vehicle without permission, and it is also a way to protect yourself in the event of being robbed or assaulted. Notifying your keys will enable police officers to be on the lookout for anyone who may try to use your vehicle illegally. In the event of a worst-case scenario this could even protect you from charges of criminality in the event that someone tries to steal your vehicle. It is important to not be frightened if you lose your car keys. Instead, follow the above steps and seek the assistance of a friend or family member if needed.