How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys could be extremely stressful. Luckily, there are several ways to replace them.
Find them first with your own eyes. Examine your bags, pockets and even the whole home.
Be sure to bring proof of ownership before visiting a dealership or locksmith. This could be your vehicle's title or registration. This will help you save money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
A spare car key is a great idea, since losing your car keys can be a huge financial burden and stressful. Although it's not as simple as it was in the past to obtain a spare car key, there are several ways you can still get one.
Contacting the dealership is the quickest method to obtain a replacement key. Dealerships maintain records of security information for every vehicle and can quickly find your key in their database. However, car key replacement online will need to make the key for you, and connect it to your vehicle. This can cost between $200 and $500 depending on your location, the dealership you use, and the make of your vehicle.
Another alternative is to have a locksmith create you an ordinary key. This is a cheaper alternative to visiting the dealer, especially in the case of an older car that doesn't have an advanced key. It's also important to verify your car's warranty, car-insurance policy, or auto club membership to determine whether they'll pay for an entirely new key fob.
The majority of cars today have keys that are sophisticated and expensive that is hard to replace. The keys are equipped with a transponder chip that communicates with the vehicle's systems to allow the vehicle to start and unlock the engine. If you lose your smart key, it will need to be paired back to your vehicle which is only possible at the dealership.
It is important to note that if your vehicle is under lease, the dealer may require you to turn in two sets of keys and key fobs when the lease is up. If this is the case, you need to have a spare and ensure that 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 prevent stress and expensive repairs in the future. It's always best to be prepared prior to when you encounter a problem, so make sure to keep your spare keys in a secure location and be aware of what to do in the event that you lose your car keys.
2. Contact an expert locksmith
It's not a secret that losing keys to your car is a hassle. When you're at the gas station, at the grocery store, or on your return from work, it can be very painful to discover that you've left your spare key in the back seat of your car! There are a few ways to replace your keys without having to pay for the dealership or a locksmith.
If you have an old lock, like a double-edged type, you can get a new one from your local hardware store for less than $10. You'll need proof of ownership such as the title or registration for your vehicle. If you have a more technologically advanced key, such as a remote fob or smart key, it could be harder to replace. You might need to contact your local locksmith or even the manufacturer to have a replacement made for you.
Most modern vehicles use a transponder key that needs to be programmed by the vehicle's computer. This can be accomplished by a locksmith, but will cost more than replacing the standard key. You can also reset your key following the instructions in the owner's manual, however, it can be laborious and time-consuming, and isn't always successful.
You can lower the risk of losing your keys by having a specific place to put them. You can hang a key holder close to your door or place them in an empty bowl on the table. It is always a good idea to keep a key ring with you to ensure that you can know where your keys are going to be. It is also a good idea to tidy up your office or home since a messy office can make it easier to lose things! Be aware that even if you are not the type to lose your keys, it's possible that you'll forget they are there! It's essential to have a backup plan in case this happens. It's better to be prepared rather than be stuck on the side of the road!
3. Contact for a Towing Service
If you're the kind of person who regularly loses your car keys It's recommended to purchase an extra. They're easy to store and are inexpensive and will spare you a lot of stress in future. Many newer vehicles have safety features that make it harder to lock yourself out. Check out the new inventory at Longo Toyota to find a car with this feature, or think about upgrading your vehicle to one that has it.
There are several ways to replace your car keys, but the specifics will differ based on the type of key you have and the way it was lost. If you have a traditional key that is not digitally programmed, locksmiths can replace it. If you have a smart key however, this could be a more complicated process. The dealer must examine the VIN and provide proof of ownership to get an alternative key for you and it could take some time.
The majority of car rental firms do not keep spare keys in their facilities however they will work with you to resolve the problem. Hertz for instance, does offer a lost key service as part of its premium roadside assistance plan. The service is not offered if you do not purchase additional roadside protection.
If you can't receive assistance from your rental company or in the event that you don't have an emergency roadside service plan with them you'll need to contact locksmiths or a towing service. Both will allow you to get back to your vehicle and on the road, but each have distinct advantages and disadvantages. It is essential to research both options and keep contact details of both providers on hand just in case. Be sure to keep your keys safe by every means. This means you should always keep them in the same place.
4. Contact a Repair Shop
When you lose your keys to your car, it's recommended to have a plan for getting back in your vehicle. It wasn't that long ago that losing your keys was an inconvenience, but today it can actually be an issue. The good part is that if aware of it, getting the spare car key you need is not nearly as hard and costly as it was in the past.
You'll first need to determine the type of key your vehicle uses. The traditional keys with mechanical shanks that insert into the ignition are easy to replace. A basic key that does not have chip costs between $10 to $12. However, more recent automobiles use keys with built-in security chips that have to be reprogrammed by the car to unlock the doors or start it. Finding an alternative key can cost as much as $200.
The chips can be reprogrammed at your local dealer however, the process is a bit complicated and requires special equipment. A locksmith might also be able to perform this service however it is important to choose a locksmith with the proper expertise and tools.
Another option is to visit a key cutting shop like AutoZone where an associate will take a working key and trace its contours. This way they'll be able to cut an entirely new key that is in line with the cut of the original key. The only downside to this is that you won't be able to drive your vehicle until you have the new key cut and programmed to the vehicle.
If you'd like try this method out, you will require your driver's license as well as proof of ownership. A dealer or locksmith will be able to decode the VIN on these documents in order to find the code needed to pair your key with your vehicle.
You can also cut down on the programming costs by having an entirely new key cut, then attempting to reset it yourself. You can find instructions in the owner's guide or on the internet.