How to Replace Lost Car Keys

People lose their keys to their vehicles all the time. It is possible to lose your car keys if you are distracted while doing errands.

The first step is to stay calm and repeat the steps you took. This will help your rational brain take over and locate your keys. The next step is to find the best way to replace them.

1. Search Your Home

A few years back, losing car keys was not a huge issue. But as cars have gotten more sophisticated, so have the keys, and they can be costly to replace. In fact, Australian consumer advocates Choice recently found that replacing just one modern key lost car could cost upwards of $600 depending on your vehicle model.

If you are unable to locate your keys, remain at peace and make sure you search your home. This will help to jog your memory as to where you last saw keys and may point you to the right direction. It is also beneficial to have a family or friend member assist you in your search, as our minds tend to drift back to areas of clarity and places we think we put something, therefore it is helpful to have a fresh set of eyes to the situation.

Look for obvious places such as under your couch cushion, your purse or at your desk. But don't skip over any areas that aren't obvious, like behind a picture frame on the wall or beneath your bed. It's not uncommon to lose things in unexpected places, so take a look at all of these prior to moving on. If you're not able to find your keys, begin looking through your car.

2. Search Your Car

In the past, losing keys to cars was a little of an inconvenience. You could always get a new car lost key key from your local hardware store, or locksmiths, and get it programmed for your car's system. Today, however, it's a bit more difficult.

The first thing you need to do if you've lost your car keys is search the area in which you last saw keys. If you have to, go back your steps and go through every bag or pocket you've used since. Check the shelves of the grocery store where vegetables, meat and other grocery items are kept.

You may also want to look up in public places such as libraries, parks, Replacing Lost Car Key and other places where you've been. It's possible that keys to your car were thrown out of your pocket while you were distracted. You might have put them on a table or in the grass while you were eating pizza.

If you're still struggling to locate your car keys that you've lost car key replacement, you can try to find them with a Bluetooth tracker. These small devices attach to your key ring and replacing lost car key emit signals that can be detected by an app on your phone. Once you've got your phone's app open it will display where the signal is coming from so you can find your car keys.

3. Call a locksmith

We all tend to lose items from time-to-time in the chaos of school pick-ups, work drop-offs, grocery store visits and dinners with friends. It is possible to lose your keys to your car, sunglasses, or a debit card. Unfortunately, losing a key can seriously disrupt your routine and leave you feeling stressed and angry.

If you encounter a similar situation the first thing you must do is to remain calm and retrace all your steps. A quick glance around may occasionally help you locate your car keys. If not, you need to call roadside assistance, or locksmith.

Locksmiths may cost a little more, but they are able to replace your lost key to car car keys much faster. If you need a traditional key lost car but not a remote or smart key, they may provide it at a lower price than the dealer.

If you own an electronic or remote key the locksmith will need to connect the new key with your vehicle. They will require the model and make of the car along with the year of manufacture to ensure that they have the correct key.

4. Contact Your Car Dealership

It wasn't so long ago that misplacing a key or losing one was not a big problem. You might have had keys in your pocket, or the small container that was attached to the vehicle. But as cars became more technologically advanced, so did the keys and replacing them could be a costly task.

Reina suggests that you first look around and retrace the steps you took. "This will help you find the last location you've ever seeing them in, whether it was on the ground, inside your vehicle, or on the table at the restaurant you went to." This step is also important for relaxing your nerves. "If you're still struggling to find them, be calm and call the police" she says.

Depending on the car key type, you might need to contact the dealership or an automotive locksmith for assistance. A locksmith experienced in their field can replace the traditional car key right on the spot, without having to use the original. If you have a key with a smart lock that has a proximity sensor and allows keyless ignition and entry, only a dealer can reprogram your car.

Examine your insurance policy to determine if it covers roadside assistance as well as replacement car keys. If they do, this could be a fantastic way to reduce the cost of replacing lost Car key lost car keys.