How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys could be extremely stressful. There are several ways you can replace them.
Find them first with your own eyes. Examine all your bags and pockets, and look around the home.
Make sure you bring proof of ownership with you before visiting a dealership or locksmith. This could be your vehicle's registration or title. This will help you save money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It is a good thing to have a spare key for your car since losing them can be expensive and stressful. There are still a variety of ways to get an extra key for your vehicle, even it's not as straightforward as it was before.
Contacting the dealership is the most efficient way to obtain a spare key. Dealerships keep a record of the security information for every vehicle and can locate your key quickly in their database. However, they will require a key for you, and join it to your car. It could cost between $200 to $500, based on the location you live in and the dealership you choose, and the make of your vehicle.
A locksmith can also create you an ordinary-sized key. This is a cheaper alternative to going to the dealer, especially if you have an older vehicle which doesn't come with an advanced key. It's also important to verify your car's warranty, insurance policy or auto club membership to see if they will pay for an entirely new key fob.
The majority of cars today have an expensive, sophisticated key that is hard to replace. The keys are equipped with a transponder that communicates with a vehicle's system in order to unlock and start the vehicle. If you lose your smart keys, they'll have to be paired with your vehicle. This can only be done by the dealership.
If your vehicle is leased, the dealer may ask you to return two sets of keys or key fobs by the end of the lease. It is essential to have a spare set of keys and key fobs just in case this happens.
It's more expensive to purchase a spare key, but it's still worth it if you wish to save yourself from stress and costly repairs in the near future. It's always best to be prepared prior to when you face a problem so ensure you keep a spare key in a safe place and be aware of what to do in the event that you ever lose your car keys.
2. Call a Locksmith
It's no secret that losing car keys can be an absolute headache for the neck. locked key in car no spare can be frustrating to find out that you've left your spare car keys in the backseat of your vehicle, no matter if you're at the gas station or a grocery store just returning home from work. There are many ways to replace your keys without paying an auto dealer or locksmith.
If you have a traditional key, such as a standard double-edged car key, you can go to a local hardware store to purchase an alternative for less than $10. However, you will require evidence of ownership, like the vehicle registration or title. It might be more difficult to replace a key which is more technologically advanced like a smart key or a remote fob. You might have to contact a local locksmith or the manufacturer to get a new key made.
The majority of modern vehicles have transponder keys that need to be programmed with the computer in the vehicle. Locksmiths can help you do this however it is more expensive than replacing a traditional key. You can also reset your key using the instructions in your owner’s manual. However, this can be time-consuming and complex and might not always work.
If you have a designated area to store your keys you can lower the risk of them being lost. You can hang a key holder by your door, or put them in a bowl on a 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 because a messy space can make it easier to lose things! Be aware that even if not prone to losing your keys, it's still possible that you'll lose the keys! It's important to have a backup plan in case this occurs. It's better to be prepared than be stuck at the side of the road!
3. Call toll-free Towing Service
If you're the kind of person who is constantly losing your car keys, it's recommended to purchase a spare. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to keep in your car, and they will save you lots of anxiety in the near future. Many newer vehicles have safety features that make it difficult to lock yourself out. Check out the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle that has this feature, or think about changing your vehicle to one with this feature.
There are a myriad of ways to get your car key replaced, the details 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 digital key however, this could be a much more involved procedure. The dealer must verify your VIN and provide proof ownership to obtain a replacement key, which can take up to a few weeks.
The majority of car rental firms do not keep spare keys on-site however they will assist you in resolving the problem. Hertz provides a lost-key service as part its premium roadside support plan. This service is only available if you do not purchase additional roadside coverage.
If you are unable to receive assistance from your rental company, or if you don't have an emergency roadside assistance plan with them you'll need to contact an emergency locksmith or towing service. Both can allow you to get back in your car and back on the roads, but they each have advantages and disadvantages of their own. It is essential to research each option before selecting a provider, and to keep the contact details for both on hand in case you ever need them. Don't lose your keys by all means. This means that you must always keep them in the same spot.
4. Call a Repair Shop
If you lose your car keys, it's always better to have a strategy to return inside the vehicle. In the past, losing your car key or losing it was just a minor annoyance. Today, this can be a major issue. The good news is that if you're smart about it, getting the spare car key you need isn't nearly as difficult and costly as it was in the past.
The first thing you'll have to identify the kind of key your car has. Traditional keys, with just an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition cylinder are usually easy to replace. A basic key without a chip will cost between $10 and $12. The most recent vehicles have keys with security chips built into them that need to be reprogrammed into the car to unlock doors or start the car. Keys replacement for these vehicles could cost up to $200.
These chips can be programmed at a local dealership however, the process is complex and requires specialized equipment. A locksmith may also be able to provide this service however it is important to find a locksmith who has the proper experience and tools.
Another option is to go to a key cutting shop like AutoZone where an associate will take a working key and trace its contours. The key cutting shop will be able to cut a key that matches the original's cut. The only downside to this is that you won't be allowed to drive your vehicle until you have the new key cut and programmed to the vehicle.
If you're considering trying this method, make sure you have the original working key together with your driver's licence and proof of ownership. A locksmith or dealer will decode the VIN number on these documents to determine the code that's needed to pair a new key with your vehicle.
You can also save on the programming costs by having the key cut from a new one and then trying to reset it yourself. You can find instructions in the owner's guide or on the internet.