How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your keys to your car can be quite stressful. There are many ways you can replace them.
Begin by locating them yourself. Take a look in all your bags and pockets and walk around the house.
Before you visit the dealership or a locksmith, make sure to have proof of ownership such as your registration number or title for your vehicle. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It is a good thing to have an extra key for your car, as losing them can be costly and stressful. While it's not as easy as it once was to find a spare car key, there are several ways to find one.
The easiest way to get an extra car key is to call the dealership. Dealerships have a record of security information for each vehicle and will find yours quickly in their system. They'll need to make you a key and pair it with your car. It could cost between $200 to $500, based on your location, the dealership you use and the model of your car.
A locksmith can also create you keys of standard size. This is a less expensive alternative to going to the dealer, particularly when you own an older vehicle which doesn't come with an advanced key. It's also important to check your car's warranty, car-insurance policy or auto club membership to determine 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. They have 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 key, it'll need to be paired back to your vehicle which can only be done at the dealership.
It is important to note that if your vehicle is on lease, the dealer might require you to surrender two sets of keys and key fobs once the lease expires. It is crucial to have a second set of keys and key fobs in the event that this happens.
Getting a spare car key is more expensive than it used to be, but it's still worth it to prevent the stress and costly repairs in the future. It's always better to be prepared prior to when you encounter a problem, so ensure you keep a spare in an area that is secure and be aware of what to do in the event that you ever lose your car keys.
2. Call an expert locksmith
It's no secret that losing car keys can be an enormous discomfort to the neck. It can be a bit frustrating to discover that you've forgotten your spare car keys in the backseat of your vehicle, whether you're at a gas station or grocery store, or returning home from work. There are many ways to replace your keys without having to pay an expensive locksmith or dealership.
If you have an old key, like a double-edged one, you can get a new one at your local hardware store for less than $10. But, you'll require proof of ownership, such as the vehicle registration or title. It may be more difficult to replace a key which is more advanced in technology like a smart key or a remote fob. You might have to contact an emergency locksmith in your area or the manufacturer to get an entirely new key.
Most modern vehicles use transponder keys that have to be programmed using the car's computer. This can be accomplished by a locksmith, but will cost more than replacing the standard key. You can also try to reset your key by following the directions in the owner's manual, however, this is laborious and time-consuming, and isn't always successful.
You can reduce your chances of losing your keys by having a dedicated location to store keys. You can place a bowl or a key holder on a table next to your door. You can keep a key ring on your person at all times to ensure that you always know where your keys are. You can also tidy up your home or office space because a messy area could increase the likelihood that you will lose things. Keep in mind that even if the keys are never lost, you could forget them. It's essential to have a backup plan in the event that this occurs. It's always better to be prepared than stranded on the side of the road!
3. Call toll-free Towing Service
It's a great idea to keep a spare set of keys in case you are someone who loses car keys frequently. They are simple to store and cheap and can save you a great deal of stress in future. Many of the latest vehicles come with security features that make it more difficult to secure yourself. Check out the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a car with this feature, or consider changing your car to one with it.
While there are many ways to get your car keys replaced, the exact procedure will depend on the type of key you have and the way it was lost. If you have a conventional key that is not digitally programmed a locksmith can replace it. A smart key can make the process more difficult. The dealer will need to run the VIN and provide proof of ownership to get a replacement key, which may take several days.
Car rental companies usually don't keep spare keys on their premises, but they will often work with you to get the problem resolved. Hertz, for example offers the option of losing keys as part of its roadside assistance plan. However, this service isn't available if you don't purchase additional roadside protection coverage.
If your rental company is unable to help you, or you do not have their emergency roadside service plan, the next step is to call an towing service or locksmith. Both will get you back into your car and on the road, but each has its own benefits and drawbacks. It is important to study the options before settling on the best one, and to keep the contact details for both on hand in case you ever need them. Also, try to avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means you should always put them in the same place.
4. Contact a Repair Shop
If you've lost your car keys, it's always better to have a strategy to return inside the vehicle. It wasn't that long ago that misplacing or losing your keys was an inconvenience, but nowadays it's often a big problem. If you're intelligent, it's not nearly as expensive or difficult to find a spare key as it was.
It is first necessary to identify the type of key your vehicle uses. Keys that are traditional, having a mechanical shank that inserts into the ignition cylinder are typically simple to replace. A simple key without a chip is priced between $10 and $12. The majority of modern cars have keys that have security chips built into them that need to be programmed to unlock doors or start the car. Keys replacement for these cars can cost as much as $200.
The chips can be reprogrammed at a local dealership, but the process is complicated and requires specialized equipment. This service can also be done by a locksmith, but you must ensure that they have the right tools and know-how.
A key cutting shop, like AutoZone can also be used. A staff member will trace the contours of an operational key. This will allow them to cut an entirely new key that is in line with the cut of the original key. The only downside is that you won't be able drive your vehicle until you have the new key cut and programmed to your vehicle.
If spare remote car key considering trying this method, ensure you bring the working key together with your driver's license and proof of ownership. A locksmith or dealer will be able to decode the VIN on these documents in order to determine the key code needed to connect a key to your vehicle.
You can also cut down on the programming costs by having an entirely new key cut, then trying to reset it yourself. Most manufacturers will have instructions on how to do this in the owner's manual. Alternatively, you can simply search for "How to program a (your year, make and model) key" online.