How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys could be extremely stressful. There are a variety of ways to replace them.
The first step is to locate them yourself. Take a look in your bags and pockets, and look around the house.
Before you go to the dealership or locksmith be sure to bring proof of ownership such as your car registration or title. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
A spare car key is a good option, since losing your car keys can be extremely costly and stressful. There are still a variety of methods to obtain an extra key for your vehicle, even it's not as straightforward as it was in the past.
Contacting the dealership is the easiest way to obtain a spare key. Dealerships keep records of security details for each vehicle and will be able to locate yours in their system. They will have to make you a key, and then pair it to your vehicle. This can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 depending on the location, dealer and the make of your vehicle.
A locksmith can also create you keys of standard size. This can be cheaper than going to the dealership, especially if your car is older and doesn't come with a more advanced key. It's also important to verify your car's warranty, insurance policy, or auto club membership to determine whether they'll cover a new key fob.
The majority of cars today have an expensive, sophisticated key that is extremely difficult to replace. These keys have a transponder chip that communicates with the vehicle's systems to unlock and start the engine. If you lose your smart keys, they will need to be linked to your vehicle. This can only be done by the dealership.
It's important to remember that if your car is on lease, the dealer could require you to 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 make sure you have it before the lease ends.
Getting a spare car key is more expensive than it was in the past however it's still worth it to avoid the stress and costly repairs in the future. It's best to be ready for any eventuality. Keep your spare key in a secure place and know what you should do if your keys get lost.
2. Call a Locksmith
It's not a secret that losing your keys to your car can be an enormous pain in the neck. It can be very frustrating to find out that you've left your spare car key in the back of your car, whether you're at a gas station or grocery store, or just returning home from work. There are a few ways to replace your keys without having to pay for the locksmith or the dealership.
If you have an old key like a double-edged one you can purchase an alternative one at your local hardware store for less than $10. You'll need to provide evidence of ownership, like the registration or title for your vehicle. If you have a more technologically advanced key, such as an electronic remote fob or smart key, it could be more difficult to replace. You may have to call an emergency locksmith in your area or the manufacturer to have an entirely new key.
Transponder keys are found in a majority of modern vehicles. They must be programmed into the car's computer. This can be accomplished by a locksmith, but will cost more than replacing a standard key. You can also try to reset your key following the instructions in your owner's manual, but this can be lengthy and time-consuming, and it will not always work.
You can reduce your chances of losing your keys by having a specific location to store keys. You can hang a key holder close to your door, or put them in the form of a bowl on the table. You can always keep a key ring with you so you can know where your keys are going to be. It is also possible to tidy up your home or office space, as a messy space is a higher risk that you will lose things. Remember that even if you're not the type to lose your keys, it's still possible that you'll lose the keys! In the event of an emergency, it's important to create an emergency plan. It's better to be prepared than be stranded on the side of the road!
3. Contact a Towing Service
If you are the type of person who frequently loses your car keys, it's a good idea to get a spare. They are simple to store and are inexpensive, and will save you a lot of stress in future. Many newer vehicles have security features that make it harder to secure yourself. Check out the new inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle with this feature, or think about upgrading your current vehicle to one that has it.
There are many ways to replace your car keys but the details will vary depending on the type of key you have and the way it was lost. For instance, if have an older key that isn't digitally programmed, locksmiths should be able to replace it quickly. A smart key can make the process more difficult. The dealer will have to run the VIN and provide proof of ownership to get a replacement key this could take a few days.
Most car rental firms do not keep spare keys in their facilities, but will assist you in resolving the issue. Hertz for instance offers the service of locating keys as part of its premium roadside assistance plan. This service is only available if you do not purchase additional roadside protection.
If you're unable to get assistance from your rental company or if you don't have an emergency roadside assistance plan in place you'll need to contact a locksmith or a towing service. Both will get you back into your vehicle and back on the road but each comes with advantages and disadvantages. It is important to study each option before selecting a service, and also to keep the contact details for both on hand in case you ever need them. Be read this post here to keep your keys safe by every means. This means putting them in the same spot each time and not leaving them in your pocket of your coat or on top of your car when parking.
4. Contact a Repair Shop
When you lose your car keys, it's always better to have a strategy for how to get back inside the vehicle. In the past, misplacing your car key or losing it was just a minor annoyance. Nowadays, this could be a major issue. The good part is that if aware of it, getting the spare car key you need isn't as difficult and costly as it used to be.
The first thing you'll have to determine the kind of key your car has. The keys that have mechanical shanks that insert into the ignition are easy to replace. A basic key that does not have a chip will cost around $10-$12. However, modern automobiles use keys with built-in security chips that have to be programmed into the car in order to open the doors or start it. Finding a replacement for these keys can cost as much as $200.
The process of reprogramming these chips is complex and requires special equipment. A locksmith might also be able to provide this task, but it's important to find one who has the right skills and experience.
A key cutting shop like AutoZone can also be utilized. An associate will trace the contours of the working key. This way they'll be able to cut a new key that matches the original key's cut. The only downside to this is that you won't be allowed to drive your car until you have the new key cut and programmed to your vehicle.
If you're considering trying this method, ensure you bring the working key along with your driver's license and evidence of ownership. A dealer or locksmith can decode the VIN on these documents to determine the key code needed to connect a key to your vehicle.
You can also cut down on the cost of programming by having an entirely new key cut, then trying to reset it yourself. You can find instructions in the owner's manual or online.