How to Deal With a Lost Key in Your Car

The loss of car keys is an incredibly stressful situation. It's not the worst thing that could happen if you know how to deal with it.

You can either bring in proof of ownership or a spare key to the dealer in order to get a new one programmed. There are several ways to lose your keys, and this will determine how easy or difficult it is to replace them.

1. Worn Out Key

Over time, car keys are subjected to a lot of wear and tear. They are jingled in pockets, rubbing against one others, and then put into locks over and over again. They may lose their shape and no longer fit into the ignition cylinder. The key could get stuck or stop turning if this happens. Either way, [Redirect-303] it can be extremely frustrating.

It's a good thing that you can prevent this from happening by creating duplicate copies of your vehicle key when it's new. Then, you can rotate them to reduce the amount of wear and tear each one experiences. In addition, if you lose your car keys, there's another spare.

Another reason to consider an upgrade is that the key fob you have is not functioning properly. As you've probably guessed, these are very handy to have and they do various tasks, from unlocking your doors and launching your engine, to triggering the alarm. This can happen for several reasons however the most common is that it's just damaged from use. They are small, Search Results delicate and often jostled in your pocket or bag. The buttons can easily be broken or worn down.

If this happens, the first thing you should do is to thoroughly examine every place you might find it, including your jacket or bag and near even places where you wouldn't normally store them (like inside a shoeshine box). The next step is to call your dealer to see if they have an extra key available. If not, they'll make one for you and then have it installed in your vehicle. This process can be costly, but it's much better than the other.

You can further reduce the chance of this happening by not adding any other items to your key ring and regularly lubricating your keys and lock. This will make them both last longer and function properly. You should also keep an extra in a secure place, such as with your family or close friends. This way, you will always have the key in case you need it.

2. Damaged Lock

If you are able to turn the key but it isn't able to fit into the lock, there could be a problem with the lock. The lock tumblers may be blocked by dirt and other debris. This could cause the mechanism to feel stiff. A locksmith can use a special tool to clean and lubricate the lock, helping it feel smooth again.

Another possible reason that a car lock won't turn is because it was jammed by force. A thief might have used a tool, such as a bump key or a hammer to force the door open. If you can see evidence of this on the door handle, bring the vehicle to a locksmith as soon as possible. The locksmith can repair the issue and prevent future problems.

Some locksmiths offer a service that disables your old key inside your vehicle. This makes it harder for someone to steal your vehicle. You will need to provide proof of your identity and that you have ownership of the vehicle before the process can begin. A V5C form that has your name on it is likely to be accepted.

It is recommended to keep an extra car key in your trunk or on your person in the event that you lose it. A spare key will help you get on the road faster and can save you money by preventing from calling a locksmith.

You might need to contact an expert locksmith to replace lost keys the key based on the car. Dealerships will give you keys to replace, however it could cost an additional towing fee and can take several days to order. A professional locksmith can make a key faster and less expensive. They might even be able to program it to communicate with your vehicle on autopilot. They can also offer an array of additional services to help ensure your vehicle is secure like the door seal kit or alarms to prevent theft. Visit PolicyBachat to learn more.

3. Clogged Ignition cylinder

Over time the ignition cylinder and key can wear out. A worn-out cylinder can be stuck or jammed when it is inserted, removed, or turned. This can cause issues with powering on and starting your vehicle. These issues may develop slowly, but become more noticeable as time passes.

This problem is most often caused by the inability to insert the key into the lock or rotate the ignition cylinder. This is a clear indication that the cylinder is worn out and requires replacement. It is possible to replace the cylinder yourself, but it's usually best to hire a professional.

The ignition cylinder is a tiny cylindrical piece of metal that is situated within the lock cylinder housing and has two tumblers. Each tumbler is assigned a particular location that is suited to the correct key bumps. Over time the tumblers will be worn out or blocked with dirt. In order to fix this, you will have to clean the cylinder port of the ignition. You can do this using tiny bottles of graphite oil. You can buy this product from your local auto parts store. Follow the directions on the bottle.

Remove the dashboard and steering-wheel covers from your car. This will give you an easier view of the port on the cylinder. Find a pin that is put into the back of the cylinder. This is a security feature that prevents your vehicle from being stolen. If the ignition cylinder isn't able to turn, then you will need to remove the retention pin to allow it to slide out of the housing.

The process is straightforward enough, but requires some time. Before drilling the pin, ensure that the pin is in the accessory position. It is also possible to harm your car's electrical and electronic systems by drilling in the wrong spot. Make sure you mark the portion of the drill that is protruding from the keyway prior to drilling. This acts as a signal to prevent you from drilling too deeply and damaging the cylinder housing.

4. Locked Out

If you've accidentally locked your keys inside your car, the first thing to do is not to get scared. You may think that you're in a huge mess, but it's important to be calm because there are many solutions and methods you can get back into your vehicle without damaging the window or calling an emergency tow truck. You can use shoelaces, packaging tape, bobbypins, or Slim Jims to get into your vehicle. It is important to keep in mind that not all methods work, and you may need professional help in certain cases.

The key is to always try the least destructive solution first. It's possible that you don't like the idea of someone else helping you get into your car, however in an emergency situation, it may be your best option. Many roadside assistance plans provide their members the option to enter their vehicle without a car key.

Another great suggestion is to take a deep breath and walk around the exterior of your vehicle to check whether your keys are located in any other door or in the trunk. When you're in a rush it's easy to forget something that is as simple as the door handle or the rearview mirror. Make sure you check everywhere.

If you're still unable to get your car open, try to remain calm and seek help from a friend or neighbor that is nearby. Most of the time strangers will be willing to help you out of a jam because they don't want to be stranded. If they're not able to assist you, you may want to contact roadside assistance. You can also check whether your insurance will cover this.

To avoid losing a key in the future, make sure you are checking the app provided by your car manufacturer or use a smart device to turn your phone into a car key fob. You can also purchase a magnetic keysafe to store keys you have left over to keep them out of sight and away from thieves.