How to Replace Lost Car Keys

You're exhausted, so you change into your sweats and order a pizza to watch your favorite TV show. However, you discover that your car keys are nowhere to be found.

Before you panic, know your options. There are a few different methods to replace lost car keys, but most of them require the dealership or a professional locksmith.

Check Your Car's Locks

If you've lost your car keys, it's always recommended to begin by checking your vehicle. We often forget where they're, especially when we're rushing or distracted. Fortunately, finding lost car keys is relatively easy when you make the effort to conduct a thorough search of your vehicle.

Start with the driver's seat. The seats can be moved forward and backwards as well as up and down to search every inch of your car for your car key. Also, feel around zippered areas or small compartments to locate keys. You should also carefully check your backpack, purse or tote bag for keys.

Many modern cars have key fobs that allow you to lock and unlock the car from an extended distance. Most of the time, these devices come with an internal transponder chip that communicates with the car to let you in and start the engine. If you've lost your car key fob, you'll need visit the dealership to have an alternative one created.

Some older cars still use traditional keys made of metal that fit into an ignition cylinder. If you lose the keys, a locksmith might be able to make keys for you, if you have proof of ownership like your registration or title.

You can also get a new replacement from a dealer, but this will be more expensive. The dealership will have to connect a computer chip to your car, which can be priced between $200 and $250, or more, based on the model and make of your car.

Before you pay for a car key replacement make sure you check your insurance policy. You may be able claim your comprehensive insurance to cover the cost of buying a new car key lost. It's also worth asking your car insurance company if they have roadside assistance coverage to assist you in the event of an emergency. The good news is that there are numerous companies that offer roadside assistance plans which means you should be able to find services near you.

Check your vehicle's identification number (VIN)

The vehicle identification number is a unique 17-digit alpha-numeric code for each vehicle that is on the road. It's used to identify vehicles as well as keep track of inventory, report accidents and thefts, and more. In the United States, the VIN is usually engraved into the form of a plate or label on your car's dashboard, jambs on the door of the driver's side, and sometimes in front of the engine block. You may also find your VIN in other places, like your registration for your vehicle, title and insurance documents.

Your VIN is unique to your car It's recommended to store it in a safe place. This way, should you lose your keys, you can utilize it to have an alternative key quickly and easily. Locksmiths can decode the VIN and get the manufacturer's code for your model. This will work with your lock.

Most passenger cars have their VIN on a sticker that's placed at the point where the windshield meets the dash on the driver's side. You can also locate it on the driver-side door jamb or on the side of the engine block of larger commercial and truck vehicles. Some VINs are etched directly into the windshield or windows of your vehicle as a prevention measure.

Enter your VIN into an online VIN decoder. This will give you an in-depth look at your vehicle including the model, manufacturer body type, engine size, assembly facility, and the year of manufacture.

VINs were first introduced in 1954, but up to 1981, they were offered in a variety of formats. In 1981 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standardized VINs to the current format of 17 characters.

If your VIN is correct, then you will be able to obtain new keys at most dealerships as well as locksmiths for automotive, based on the type of key your car requires. For instance, if your car requires an ignition chip you'll have to visit a dealer or locksmith that can swap your key for one that can start your car. If not, you can buy standard keys at hardware stores.

Contact Your Dealership

In the past the loss of your car keys lost no spare keys was not a huge deal. You could easily contact your local dealer to purchase a new set. Nowadays, it's much more complicated than it used to be. If you're looking to have your car keys replaced, a dealership isn't always the best option.

You can still purchase a traditional car key from the dealership, but it is better to contact an automotive lock. They can get you back on the faster and for less than the dealership.

Before you call someone to replace your car keys, make a note of the number for your vehicle identification (VIN). This is important because it will be needed in order for someone to make a new replacement car key for your car keys lost no spare. The VIN is found on the dashboard of your car or it could be printed in your owner's guide.

Dealerships are able to replace cars keys for most manufacturers. However, it's not a guarantee that they'll help you. It's dependent on the make and model of your car, as well as whether keys are equipped with complicated programming. If you're not sure whether not your dealership can help you, bring your car into the store and speak with the service manager.

If you have a smart key that's been cheap lost car key replacement or stolen, you'll need to visit your dealership for it to be replaced. This is because your car's security features require a specific kind of key to reset and work correctly.

This process is more complicated than it was in the past, so make sure you're prepared to pay a higher cost to restore this feature. A dealership can also provide you with another key that's identical to the original one in the event that the lost key was damaged or stolen. If you decide to go this route, make sure to carry all the necessary information on hand and an identification photo. This will make it easier for everyone to get through the process.

Contact a locksmith

The most crucial step to take in replacing lost car keys is to contact an experienced locksmith. An experienced locksmith will be able to cut and program the new key for your car while you wait. However, they'll require the year, make and model of your car along with evidence that you own the car (a copy of your registration or title will suffice).

Make sure you check every possible location for your keys prior to you call a locksmith. Check the pockets of pants, jackets and purses. Also check any other bags you might have used. You may also search for your keys in areas that you wouldn't normally place them, such as on the floor behind the table in the entryway or under the couch. If you'i ve lost my car keys what can i do tried all this but are still unable to find your keys, it's time to contact someone.

A locksmith should be able replace traditional keys on the spot for around $20. This is less expensive than the price you'd pay to have roadside assistance take your car to the dealer and purchase a replacement key.

In many cases, a locksmith can also cut and program the new key for more sophisticated cars, including smart keys, switchblade keys, transponder keys, and switchblade keys. These keys that are more complicated may require you to provide the car's VIN number, but a professional locksmith should have the right tools to complete this right on the spot for you.

Locksmiths are also able to ability to remove broken or bent keys, which can occur when you lock them accidentally in your car. Trying to remove a broken key on your own could cause more damage, and this should be left to experts.

In addition to helping you replace your lost car keys, a locksmith can give you advice about how to stop future keys from getting misplaced or stolen. Making preventative measures, such as keeping an extra set of keys at home or in your wallet, can make a huge difference in ensuring that you don't lose your car keys ever again.