How to Avoid Losing Your Car Keys
It can be a real trouble to lose your car keys. There are a few steps you can do to avoid this.
Traditional key chains and a tidying of your home or office are easy, but efficient methods to ensure your car keys are safe. For more complex keys, however, you will have to call your dealership or locksmith.
Retract Your Steps
It is common to locate your keys by following your steps. This is a common piece of advice but it can be very useful in finding lost items. The first step is to go back to the place where you last remember seeing your keys. For instance, if dropped them when getting out of your vehicle, look around your driveway and garage to see if the keys are there. If you set them on the kitchen table make sure you look underneath all of the items that could have fallen on it.
If retracing steps does not work, record the entire day's activities to aid in remembering where your keys might be. This can also help narrow your search.
Check Your Hiding Spots
Losing keys is the most traumatic feeling particularly if you're late. It's easy to lose focus and then forget to set them somewhere in your home, then forget where they are. It is important to place your keys back in the same spot after you've used them. So they'll become a habit and you'll will know where to find them in the future.
Retrace the steps you took and checking common places you might have left keys. This includes counters, tables and hooks for keys. You can also look in bags and pockets to see if any have fallen out.
Next, make sure to examine the inside of your vehicle. Many people keep their keys in a compartment or bag of the car. It's a good idea, if your keys come with fobs, to remove the fob from its holder and check whether it's gone missing.
It's a good idea to always be sure to check the house. Many people don't take out their keys prior to entering the house when they're wearing coats. Checking your pockets and emptying any bags is a good starting point but you should also consider looking around on the cushions on your couch and looking under furniture to see whether keys are there. If you've still not found your keys, it might be time to call a locksmith. If you're lucky they may be able to assist you in locating your keys. If not, it's likely they've been lost for good and you'll need to buy an additional set.
Try turning off the car.
The best method to avoid being locked out of your car is by keeping a spare key in the glove box. This will allow you to return to your car, even if your key fob.
If you have a brand newer car that has only keyless entry and push-button start, then you will be in a bind if your keys are lost. This is because the keyfob comes with an electronic component that transmits a message to the ignition. If it doesn't receive this signal it will not turn on.
To avoid this issue, a lot of automobile manufacturers have built a fail-safe into their vehicles. If the battery inside your key fob dies, it will not be capable of transmitting the signal needed to turn on the ignition of the vehicle. Some cars, however, have a switch that is hidden beneath the steering wheel that is able to be turned without the use of your key fob. Consult your owner’s manual for instructions on how to activate the switch.
There are a variety of methods that are available to start the car with the key fob that is dead, but it is usually an extremely risky and difficult task. G28 Car Keys employ an open-ended screwdriver to start the ignition while others utilize hot wiring, a method that redirects the battery wires to start the engine. The process of trying these methods is usually best left to an auto professional who has the proper equipment. Most of the time this, it is also necessary for the expert to remove a few modules from the vehicle in order to access the appropriate security elements. The last option is to let the dealer program a new key fob to be paired with your vehicle.
Call Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company immediately after you have lost your keys. This will prevent anyone from attempting to use the keys you lost and will give you peace of mind. If you don't report missing car keys in time, you might discover that someone has used them and left damage to your car's doors or ignition.
It's a sad reality that car thefts are on the rise particularly when the owner has left their keys in the car. Thankfully, some insurers offer key replacement coverage as an optional add-on to their comprehensive car insurance policies. The cost and requirements of this coverage can vary from one policy to another.
Most companies only cover a limited amount of the cost for replacing the key fob, and this can be an expensive proposition. If you have a smart key that opens your doors or start the engine, it can be more expensive to replace. If this is the case, you might be interested in a different option such as a roadside service plan that includes locksmith.
Contact the manufacturer of your vehicle to find out if they offer spare keys to replace lost ones. Some manufacturers sell them directly and even pair an additional one with your vehicle at the dealership. These services can be less expensive than getting your car towed by the dealer and could be quicker and more efficient, too. When weighing these options, it is important to take into consideration the cost of your deductible.
Call a locksmith
There are a variety of possible reasons why you could lose your car keys. Keep an extra car key in your pocket or make use of one of the numerous Bluetooth trackers that are available to prevent this. This will help you find your car in just a few seconds, saving you money on a locksmith as well as a tow back to the dealer.
Inform the police as soon as you can in the event that you lose your car keys. This will ensure that the keys aren't stolen or used by someone else. It can also help ensure that your insurance provider can provide you with the right insurance coverage should you need to file an claim.
If you have lost your car keys you should first check all the usual places where they are kept. Then, you can contact an expert locksmith to make the replacement. They will usually complete the task on site, and will use the latest technologies to make duplicate keys and program it for you.
It is important to work with a locksmith professional who has the necessary experience in creating these types of replacement keys. They should have the appropriate tools to remove bent or stuck keys without further damaging them. They should be able to offer you a guarantee on their work.
Some dealerships can create new keys for customers, however it costs more than hiring an outside locksmith. It is also essential to determine the insurance policy of your car covers the cost of a locksmith or new key from the dealership.