How to Avoid Losing Your Car Keys
It can be a real hassle to lose your car keys. There are a few steps you can take to avoid this.
Keep your car keys secure by using traditional key chains or decluttering your home or office. For more intricate keys however, you'll need to contact your dealership or locksmith.
Retract lost key car of tracing your steps will help you locate your keys. This is a common piece of advice however it can be very useful in finding lost items. First, look back to the place you last looked for your keys. If you dropped your keys when getting out of your car, look around your driveway and garage. Look under all the things that may have fallen on the table if you dropped them.
If retracing steps fails to work, record the entire day's activities to help you remember where your keys might be. This may also help reduce your search.
Be aware of your hiding spots
It's the worst feeling to lose your keys, especially when you're running late. It's easy to lose focus and forget to put them in your home, then forget where they are. That's why it's important to keep your keys in the same location after you've used them. This will make it an habit and you'll know where to look for them in the future.
Begin by retracing the steps you followed and then examining the places you may have left keys. This includes tables, counters and hooks to hang keys. You can also check in bags and pockets to see if the items have fallen out.
Then, look around the inside of your vehicle. It's not unusual for people to store their keys in a bag or compartment in the car. It's a good idea when your keys come with an ID card, to take the fob from its holder and check whether it's gone missing.
It's also an excellent idea to look around the house itself. Many people lose their keys when they're wearing coats and do not take them out before they enter the house. Inspecting your pockets and emptying any bags you have is an excellent place to start but you should also consider checking the couch cushions and looking under the furniture to determine whether they're there. If you've still not found your keys, it might be time to call a locksmith. If you're lucky enough, they'll be able to help you retrieve the keys. If not, it's likely that they have been lost for good and you'll need to buy a replacement set.
Try turning the car on
Keep an extra car key in your glove box to avoid being locked out. You can still get into your car if you lose your key fob.
If you've lost your keys and you're not sure where to find them, you're out of luck. The reason for this is that the key fob is equipped with a wireless element that sends an alert to the ignition, and if it doesn't detect this signal, the car won't start.
To avoid this issue, a lot of car manufacturers build a fail-safe into their vehicles. If the battery dies inside your key fob, it will no longer be able transmit the signal required to turn on the ignition of your vehicle. However, some cars have a switch under the steering wheel that is able to be turned without using the key fob. Check the owner's manual for directions on how to turn on the switch.
A few different methods can be used to begin the car with an unresponsive key fob, but it is usually a difficult and risky job. Some methods employ screws to open the ignition, while others employ hot wiring, a method that redirects the battery wires to start the engine. It is best to leave this task to an auto expert, who will have the equipment needed. In the majority of cases it will also require the expert to remove a few modules from the car to access the proper security elements. The final option is to have the dealer program a new key fob to pair with your vehicle.
Call Your Insurance Company
It is recommended to contact your insurance company when you lose your keys. This will stop anyone from attempting to use your lost keys and will give you peace of mind. If you don't report keys missing in time, someone could have used them to damage the ignition or doors of your vehicle.
It's a sad reality that car thefts are on the rise, especially in cases where the owner has left their keys inside the car. Certain insurance companies provide a key replacement rider as an option to their comprehensive auto insurance policies. The price and requirements for this coverage differ from one insurance policy to the next.
Most companies will only cover a small amount of the cost of a new key fob. This can be incredibly expensive. It can be more costly to replace a smart lock, which can open doors or start your car. In this instance it is worth looking into alternatives such as a roadside assistance plan that includes a locksmith.
You should also check with the car's manufacturer to find out if they provide replacement fobs for lost ones. Certain brands offer them directly and can even attach a replacement to your car in the dealership. These services are often cheaper and faster than having your car tow. When weighing these options, it is crucial to think about the cost of your deductible.
Contact a locksmith
There are many possible reasons why you could lose your car keys. Keep a spare car key handy or use one of the many Bluetooth trackers that are available to avoid this. This will allow you to locate your car in just a few minutes, and save you money on a locksmith as well as an extra tow to the dealer.
If you do happen to lose your car keys, it is important to report the loss as soon as possible. This will ensure that your keys don't get stolen or used by someone else. It can also help ensure that your insurance company is able to give you the proper protection should you have to make claims.
If you lose your car keys, the first thing to do is look them up in all of the usual places where they are located. Contact a professional locksmith for an alternative. They will usually do this on-site, and use the latest technology to create an identical key and program it for you.
It is also important to know that you should only deal with a locksmith with experience in making these kinds of replacement keys. They should have the appropriate tools to remove bent or stuck keys without further causing damage to them. They must also be able to provide a guarantee on their work.
Some dealers can make new keys for customers, but it will cost more than using an outside locksmith. You should also determine if your insurance covers the cost of a locksmith or locksmith.