How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys can be extremely stressful. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to replace them.
First, try to locate them yourself. Look in your bags, pockets and even the whole home.
Before you visit the locksmith or dealership, make sure to have evidence of ownership like your vehicle registration or title. This will help you save money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It's a good idea to have a spare key for your car since losing them can be costly and stressful. Although it's not as simple as it was in the past to get an extra car key, there are several ways to find one.
Contacting the dealership is the most efficient method to get a spare key. Dealerships keep a record of security information for each vehicle and will find yours quickly in their database. They will have to make you a key and pair it to your car. This can cost anywhere between $200 and $500 based on the location, dealer and the make of your vehicle.
A locksmith can also make you keys of standard size. This is a less expensive alternative to visiting the dealer, particularly if you have an older vehicle that doesn't have an advanced key. You should check your warranty, insurance policy or auto club membership for payment.
Most of today's cars have a more sophisticated key that is more expensive to replace than a traditional key. The keys are equipped with a transponder chip on them that communicates with the vehicle's systems to allow the vehicle to start and unlock the engine. If you lose your smart keys, they will need to be linked to your vehicle. This can only be done by the dealership.
It's important to remember that if your car is under lease, the dealer might require you to surrender two sets of keys and key fobs when the lease is up. If this is the case, you need to have a spare key and ensure that you have it before your lease expires.
Getting a spare car key is more expensive than it used to be, but it's still worthwhile to avoid anxiety and costly repairs in the future. It's always better to be prepared prior to when you face a problem so ensure you keep a spare in an area that is secure and know what to do if you should lose your car keys.
2. Contact a locksmith
It's no secret that losing your car keys can be a nightmare. It can be a bit frustrating to find out that you've left your spare car key in the back of your car, whether you're at a petrol station or a grocery store just returning home from work. There are several ways to replace your keys, without having to pay an auto dealer or locksmith.
If you have a conventional key, such as a regular double-edged car key, you can visit your local hardware store and purchase an alternative for less than $10. But, you'll have to provide evidence of ownership, such as the vehicle registration or title. If you have a technologically advanced key, for instance a remote fob or smart key, it might be more difficult to replace. It is possible to contact an emergency locksmith in your area or the manufacturer to get a new key created.
Most modern vehicles utilize a transponder key that needs to be programmed by the vehicle's computer. Locksmiths can assist you with this however, it's more expensive than simply replacing an old key. You can also reset your key following the instructions in the owner's manual, but this can be difficult and time-consuming, and it isn't always successful.
You can lessen the chance of losing your keys by having a specific place to put them. You can hang a key holder by your door or put them in the form of a bowl on the table. You can keep a key ring with your person at all times to ensure you are always aware of where your keys are. You can also try to declutter your office or home because a messy space can make it easier to lose things! Remember that even if you're not prone to losing your keys, it's possible to forget them! It's important to have an emergency plan in case this occurs. It's always better to be prepared rather than being stuck on the side of the highway!
3. Contact for a Towing Service
It's a great idea to keep an extra set of keys if are someone who loses car keys frequently. These are fairly cheap and simple to keep in your car and will save you a lot of anxiety in the near future. spare car key fob have security features that make it difficult to secure yourself. Check out the new inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle with this feature, or consider upgrading your car to one with it.
There are many ways to replace your car keys however the exact procedure will vary based on the type of key you have and the way it was lost. For instance, if you have an older key that isn't digitally programmed, locksmiths is likely to be able replace it with ease. A smart key can make the process more complicated. The dealer will have to check your VIN and provide proof ownership to obtain an alternative key, which could take a few weeks.
Most car rental companies don't keep spare keys in their facilities, but will work with you to resolve the problem. Hertz for instance, does offer the service of locating keys as part of its roadside assistance plan. The service is not available if you don't purchase additional roadside insurance.
If your rental company can't help you, or you do not have their emergency roadside service plan, your next option is to contact a towing service or locksmith. Both can help you get back in your car and on the roads, but they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is important to research both options and keep contact details of both providers available in case of emergency. Be sure to keep your keys safe by every means. This means placing them in the same place each time and not leaving them in your pocket of your coat or on top of your car when you're parking.
4. Call a Repair Shop
It is best to prepare if you lose your keys. It wasn't so long ago that losing your key was just an inconvenience, but now it can actually be an issue. The good news is that if you're clever about it, obtaining an extra car key isn't as difficult and costly as it used to be.
The first thing you'll have to determine the type of key your vehicle has. The traditional keys with an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition are simple to replace. A basic key that does not have a chip will cost between $10 and $12. The most recent vehicles come with keys with security chips built in. These keys must be programmed to unlock doors or start the vehicle. Finding an alternative key can cost upwards of $200.
The process of changing the chip's programming is complicated and requires special equipment. This process can also be done by a locksmith, but you must ensure that they are equipped with the proper tools and know-how.
A key cutting shop, such as AutoZone is also a possibility. A worker will trace the contours of a working key. The key cutting shop will be able cut a key that matches the original's cuts. The only drawback is that you won't be able to drive your vehicle until the new key has been cut and programmed.
If you'd like try this method out you'll need your driver's licence and evidence of ownership. A dealer or locksmith can decode the VIN number on these documents to locate the code needed to connect a brand new key to your vehicle.
You can also lower the cost of programming by getting a new key made and then attempting to reset it yourself. The majority of manufacturers will provide instructions on how to do this in their owner's manual. Alternatively, you can search for "How to program a (your year, make and model) key" online.