Ten Replace Lost Car Keys That Will Actually Improve Your Life

How to Replace Lost Car Keys

You're exhausted, so you change into your sweats and order a pizza to watch your favorite TV show. However, you realize the keys to your car aren't to be found.

Before you panic, be aware of your options. There are a variety of ways to replace keys for cars that have been lost however the majority of them require a locksmith or a dealership.

Check your car's locks

It is best to look in your car first if you lose your keys. In the end, we tend to forget where we put them especially when we're in a rush or distracted. Finding keys lost in the car can be relatively easy if your vehicle is thoroughly searched.

Start with the driver’s seat. Examine every inch of the car by moving the seats up and down, back and forth. Be sure to look around zippered areas and small compartments for keys, too. Check your purse, backpack or tote bag carefully for keys.

Many modern vehicles come with key fobs which allow you to lock and unlock your car from a distance. Usually, these devices have an internal transponder chip that communicates with the car to allow you in and start the engine. If you've lost your car's keys fob, you'll need to go to the dealership to get an alternative one created.

Certain older cars still have traditional metal keys that fit into an ignition cylinder. If you have lost one of these keys, it's likely that a locksmith will be capable of creating a new key for you, as long as you can provide evidence of ownership, like your registration or title.

The dealer may also offer a replacement however it will cost more. The dealer must connect a computer chip for your vehicle. This can cost between $200 and $250 depending on the make and model.

Before you purchase a car key replacement be sure to check your insurance policy. You may be able claim on your comprehensive insurance to pay for the cost of purchasing an additional car key. Check with your insurance provider whether they have roadside service coverage. This will help if you ever need it. There are a variety of companies that offer roadside assistance packages. You should be able locate one close to you.

Check  lost vehicle key  (VIN)

The vehicle identification number (VIN) is 17-digit numeric and alpha code that is unique to each vehicle on the road. It's used to identify vehicles as well as track inventory. It can also be used to report crashes and thefts. In the United States the VIN is typically a sticker or a plate that is attached to your dashboard, driver's side door jamb, or sometimes on the motor block. Your VIN can be found in other places like your vehicle registration, title, and insurance documents.

Your VIN is unique to your vehicle It's recommended to store it somewhere safe. If you lose your keys, you can quickly and easily get new keys made using the VIN. A locksmith can decode your VIN and retrieve the manufacturer's key code specific to your lock that will then work with your lock.

The majority of passenger vehicles have their VIN on a sticker that's placed where the windshield meets the dash on the driver's side. You can also locate it on the door jamb for the driver or on the front of the engine block of commercial and larger vehicles. Some VINs are etched directly into the windows or windshields of your vehicle as a security measure.

Enter your VIN into an online VIN decoder. This will provide you with an in-depth analysis of your vehicle's model, manufacturer of the body, type of engine, size, assembly facility, and the year of its manufacturing.

VINs first appeared in 1954. However, up to 1981, they were offered in different configurations. In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standardized VINs to the current format of 17 characters.

If your VIN is correct, then you should be able to purchase new keys at the majority of dealerships and locksmiths for automotive, based on the type of key your car requires. If your car is equipped with an ignition chip you will need to visit an authorized locksmith or dealer to replace your key. You can also find regular keys from hardware stores.

Contact Your Dealership

Not long ago losing your car keys wasn't a huge deal. You could easily contact your local dealer and request a new set. Nowadays, it's much more complicated than that. The dealership may not be the best place to go for replacing your lost car keys.

While you can certainly still obtain a traditional key from the dealership, the best option is to call an auto locksmith. They're more likely be able to get you back on the road fast and probably cost less than the dealership would.

Before you call anyone to replace your car keys, make a note of the vehicle identification number (VIN). This is important because the person who needs it will create a replacement car key for you. The VIN is found on the dashboard of your car or it could be printed in your owner's guide.

Dealerships are able replace car keys for the majority of manufacturers. It is not a 100% warranty, however. It depends on the model and make of your vehicle and whether keys have complex programming. If you're unsure whether or not your dealership can help you, bring your vehicle into the store and speak with the service manager.

If you have an electronic key that's been lost or stolen, you'll have to go to your dealership for it to be replaced. This is because the security features of your car require a specific kind of key to reset and function correctly.

This process is more complex than it used to, so make sure you're prepared to pay a higher price to restore this feature. If your original key is stolen or damaged, a dealership can offer you a similar backup. If you opt to go this route ensure that you have all of the necessary information, including a photo ID. This will help make the process easier for everyone involved.

Contact an expert locksmith

Calling a locksmith is the first step to replace keys for your car that have been lost. An experienced locksmith can cut and program the new key for your vehicle while you wait. They will need the year, make, and model of your vehicle, along with evidence of ownership (a copy of your registration or title).

Make sure to look over all possible locations for your keys prior to when you contact a locksmith. Examine the pockets on pants, jackets and purses. Also check any other bags that you may have used. You could also search for your keys in places that you would not normally put them, such as on the floor in front of the doorway table or under the couch. If you've tried all of this but are still struggling to locate your keys, it's time for you to call someone.

A locksmith should be able replace traditional keys on the spot, at a cost of around $20. This is less than what you would pay for roadside assistance to tow your car to the dealer and purchase a replacement key.

In many instances, locksmiths can also cut and program keys for more advanced models of cars, including smart keys, switchblade keys, and transponder keys. These more complex keys might require you to provide the VIN number of your car, but an experienced locksmith has the right tools to do this in a flash for you.

Locksmiths are also able to ability to remove damaged keys that are bent or broken which can happen when you accidentally lock them in your car. If you attempt to remove a damaged key on your own could cause more damage, so this task should be left to the experts.

In addition to helping you replace your keys to your car that have been lost locksmiths can also give you advice about how to avoid keys from being lost or stolen. Taking preventative steps, like keeping a spare set of keys at home or in your wallet, can go a long way towards ensuring that you never lose your car keys again.