How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your keys to your car could be a stressful experience. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to replace them.
First, try to find them yourself. Take a look in your bags and pockets, and look around the house.
Make sure to bring proof of ownership before you visit a dealership or a locksmith. This could be your car's title or registration. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
The idea of having a spare car key is a great idea, since losing your car keys could be a huge financial burden and stressful. There are still several methods to obtain a spare key for your vehicle, even though it's not as easy as it was before.
The simplest way to obtain a spare car key is to call the dealership. Dealerships keep a record of security information for every vehicle and can find yours quickly in their system. However, they'll need to make the key for you and join it to your car. It could cost between $200 and $500 based on the location, dealer and model of your car.
Another option is to have a locksmith design you an ordinary key. This is a cheaper alternative to visiting the dealer, especially when you own an older car which doesn't come with an advanced key. Check your warranty and insurance policy or auto club membership to see if you can pay.
Most of today's cars utilize a high-tech key that is more expensive to replace than a standard key. They have transponder chips that communicates with the vehicle's system to unlock and start the engine. If you lose your smart keys, they will need to be linked to your vehicle. This is only done by the dealership.
If your vehicle is leased, your dealer may ask you to return two sets of keys or key fobs at the expiration of the lease. If this is the case, it's crucial to have a spare set and ensure that you have it before your lease expires.
Getting a spare car key is more expensive than it used to be but it's worthwhile to avoid stress and expensive repairs in the future. It is always advisable to be prepared in case you encounter a problem, so ensure you keep a spare key in an area that is secure and be aware of what to do in the event that you should lose your car keys.
2. Contact a Locksmith
It's no secret that losing your keys to your car can be an enormous headache for the neck. Whether you're at the gas station, the grocery store, or on your return from work it can be extremely painful to discover that you've left your spare key in the back seat of your car! Luckily, there are a few options to replace your keys without having to pay for the locksmith or the dealership.
If you own a traditional key, such as a standard double-edged car key, you can usually go to a local hardware store and purchase an alternative for less than $10. However, you will have to provide proof of ownership, like the registration of your vehicle or the title. It could be more difficult to replace a key which is more technologically advanced like a smart key or remote fob. It is possible to contact your local locksmith, or the manufacturer to have a new key designed for you.
The majority of modern vehicles have transponder keys that need to be programmed with the vehicle's computer. This can be accomplished by a locksmith, however it will cost more than replacing a standard key. You can reset your key following the instructions provided in your owner's manual. However, this could be time-consuming and complex and might not always work.
By having a designated place to store your keys you will reduce the chance of them getting lost. You can hang a key holder close to your door or put them in an empty bowl on the table. You can always keep a key ring close to you to ensure that you can know where your keys are going to be. You can also attempt to declutter your home or office since a messy office can make it easier to lose things! Keep in mind that even if the keys are never lost, you might forget them. In case of an emergency, it's important to create a backup plan. It's always better to be prepared than stuck on the side of the road!
3. Contact a Towing Service
If you are the type of person who regularly loses your car keys it is recommended to purchase an extra. They're fairly inexpensive and simple to keep in your car, and they will save you a lot of anxiety in the future. Many newer cars come with security features which make it much more difficult to gain access to the vehicle. Check out the new inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle with this feature, or think about upgrading your vehicle to one with this feature.
While there are many ways to get your car key replaced, the specifics will depend on the kind of key you have and how it was lost. If you have a traditional key that is not digitally programmed a locksmith can replace it. If you have a smart key however, this could be a more complex procedure. The dealer must check your VIN and provide proof ownership for a new key, which could take up to a few weeks.
Most car rental companies do not keep spare keys on their premises, but will assist you in resolving the issue. Hertz, for example, does offer the service of locating keys as part of its premium roadside assistance plan. However this service isn't provided when you don't purchase additional roadside protection.
If you are unable to receive assistance from your rental company or not having an emergency roadside service plan in place you'll need to contact an emergency locksmith or towing service. Both of them can get you back into your vehicle and on the road however each has its own benefits and drawbacks. It's important that you study both options and keep the contact details of both companies available in case of emergency. Also, try to avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means that you put them in the same place each time and not leaving them in your pocket of your coat or on the top of your car when parking.
4. Contact an Repair Shop
When you lose your keys to your car, it's best to have a plan for how to get back in your vehicle. It wasn't long ago that misplacing or losing your key was just an inconvenience, but nowadays it can actually be a big problem. If you're smart, it's not as costly or difficult to get a spare key like it once was.
First, you'll need to determine the type of key that your vehicle is using. The traditional keys with an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition are simple to replace. A basic key without chip costs between $10 to $12. The majority of modern cars have keys with security chips built in that must be programmed to unlock doors or start the car. Finding an alternative key can cost upwards of $200.
These chips can be reprogrammed at your local dealership however the process is complicated and requires special equipment. A locksmith may also be able perform this procedure but it's crucial to find a locksmith who has the proper expertise and tools.
A key cutting shop such as AutoZone can also be utilized. An associate will trace the contours of the working key. make spare key near me 'll be able to cut an entirely new key that is in line with 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 you'd like to test this method out you'll need your driver's licence and evidence of ownership. A dealer or locksmith will be able to decode the VIN on these documents in order to determine the key code needed to connect a key to your vehicle.
You can also save money on the programming costs by having a new key cut and then trying to reset it yourself. You can find instructions in the owner's manual or on the internet.