How to Avoid Losing Your Car Keys
It can be a real trouble to lose your car keys. Fortunately, there are several ways to stop this from occurring.
Traditional key chains and a tidying of your office or home are easy, yet efficient ways to ensure your car keys are safe. If you require more intricate keys, you can contact your dealer or locksmith.
Retract your steps
The process of tracing your steps can help you locate your keys. This may sound like the most old-fashioned piece of advice however it can be very helpful in finding lost items. First, go back to where you last had your keys. If you dropped your keys while getting out of the car, check your garage and driveway. Look under all the things that might have fallen on the table, if you dropped them.
If retracing your steps does not work, you can write down everything that you did in the day to stir up memories of where your keys could be. This could also help you reduce your search.
Make sure you are aware of your hiding spots
It's a terrible feeling to lose your keys, especially when you're running late. It's easy to become distracted and forget to put them in your home and then forget where they are. It is important to place your keys back in the same place after you've used them. This will make it an habit and you'll know where to find keys in the future.
Begin by retracing the steps you took and examining common places where you may have left your keys. This includes tables, counters and hooks for keys. Also, examine your bags and pockets for any items that might have been thrown away.
Then, you should check the interior of your vehicle. It's not uncommon for people to hide their keys in a bag or compartment inside their car. It's a good idea if your keys come with a fob to remove the fob from its holder and check whether it's fallen out.
It's a good idea to always be sure to check the home. Many people have lost their keys while wearing coats and don't remember to remove them before they enter the home. Examining your pockets and emptying any bags is a good place to start, but it's also worth feeling around in the cushions of your sofa and checking underneath furniture to see whether they're there. It could be the right time to call locksmiths if you haven't found your keys. If you're lucky enough, they'll be in a position to assist you in finding the keys. If not, it's likely they've been lost forever and you'll have to purchase a replacement set.
Try turning off the car.
Keep an extra car key in your glove compartment to avoid being locked out. This way you can get back into your vehicle, even if you've lost your key fob.
If you have a newer car that has only keyless entry and push-button start, then you will be out of luck if your keys are lost. The reason for this is because the key fob contains an electronic element that wirelessly transmits a signal to the ignition in the event that it doesn't detect this signal, the car won't start.
To overcome this problem, a number of automobile manufacturers have built a fail-safe into their vehicles. If the battery inside the key fob fails it will not be in a position to transmit the signal needed to start the engine of the car. Certain cars have a hidden switch underneath the steering wheel which can be used with or without the key fob. Refer to the owner's manual of your vehicle for specific instructions on how to turn on this switch.
A few different methods are available to start the car using the key fob that is dead but it's generally dangerous and risky. Certain methods use 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 technician, who will have the necessary equipment. In most instances, the expert will need to remove some modules to gain access to the security components. The dealer can program the new remote to connect with your car.
Call Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company right away after you have lost your keys. This will prevent anyone from attempting to use the keys they lost and will give you peace of mind. If you don't report missing car keys in time, you could discover that someone else has used them and caused damage to your car's doors or ignition.
Car thefts are increasing on a trend, particularly when the owner has left keys in the car. Some insurers provide a key replacement rider as an option to their comprehensive auto insurance policies. The cost and requirements of this coverage differ from one policy to another.
The majority of companies only cover a limited amount of the cost to replace the key fob, and this can be an expensive proposition. It can be more costly to replace a smart lock, which can open doors and start your car. If this is the case, you might think about a different solution like a roadside assistance plan that includes the locksmith.
Check with your car's manufacturer to find out if they provide spare keys to replace lost ones. Certain brands sell them directly and can even attach a replacement to your car in the dealership. These services are less expensive than having your car towed by the dealer and could be faster and more efficient, too. But, replace lost car key must consider the cost of your deductible before weighing these options.
Call a Locksmith
There are a lot of reasons to lose your car keys. Keep a spare car key handy or use one of the many Bluetooth trackers available to avoid this. This will allow you to locate your car in a matter of minutes, and save you money on a locksmith and a tow back at the dealer.
Inform the police as soon as you can if you lose your car keys. This will ensure that your keys aren't taken away or used by anyone else. It will also help ensure that your insurance provider can give you the proper protection should you have to file claims.
If you've lost your car keys, first check all the usual places where they are kept. Then, you can contact a professional locksmith to make a replacement. They usually can make this happen immediately and they'll use the latest technology to create a duplicate key and program it.
It is important to work with an experienced locksmith with the required experience in creating these types of replacement keys. They should have the necessary tools to to take out stuck or bent keys without damaging them further. They should also be able give you a warranty on their work.
Some dealerships can make new keys for customers, but it is more expensive than hiring an outside locksmith. You should also check whether your insurance will cover the cost of a dealership or locksmith.