How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys can be very stressful. There are many ways to replace keys.
The first step is to locate them yourself. Look in your bags, pockets and the entire house.
Make sure you bring proof of ownership with you before you visit a dealership or locksmith. This could be your vehicle registration or title. This will help you save money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
A spare car key is a great option, since losing your car keys could be very costly and stressful. While it's not as easy as it used to be to find an extra car key, there are a variety of ways to still find one.
Contacting the dealership is the quickest method to get a spare key. Dealerships have a record of security information for every vehicle, and they can locate your key quickly in their database. They will however require a key for you as well as pair it with your vehicle. This can cost anywhere between $200 and $500 based on the location, dealer and model of your car.
Another option is to have a locksmith make you the standard key. This is a cheaper alternative to visiting the dealer, especially if you have an older vehicle that doesn't have an advanced key. You should check your warranty and insurance policy or auto club membership for payment.
Today's vehicles have a more sophisticated key that is more expensive to replace than a traditional key. They have a transponder chip on them that communicates with the vehicle's systems to unlock and start the engine. If you lose your smart keys, they'll need to be linked to your vehicle. This is only possible through the dealership.
If your vehicle is leased, the dealer may ask you to return two sets of keys or key fobs by the expiration of the lease. If this is the case, it's important to have a spare set and make sure you have it before the lease is up.
It's more costly to buy an extra key, but it is still worthwhile if you want to avoid stress and costly repairs in the future. It is always advisable to be prepared before you have a problem, so ensure you keep a spare key in a safe place and know what to do if you ever lose your car keys.
2. Contact a locksmith
It's no secret that losing keys to your car can be an enormous pain in the neck. It can be frustrating to find out that you've left the spare car key in the back of your vehicle, whether you're at the gas station, grocery store, or on your way home after work. Luckily, there are a few options to get your keys replaced without having to pay for the locksmith or the dealership.
If you have a conventional key, like a regular double-edged car key, you are able to go to your local hardware store and get a replacement key for less than $10. However, you will need to provide evidence of ownership, such as the vehicle registration or title. It may be more difficult to replace a key that is more technologically advanced like a smart key or a remote fob. You might need to contact your local locksmith, or the manufacturer to have a replacement designed for you.
Most modern vehicles use a transponder key that needs to be programmed with the car's computer. This can be done by a locksmith, but is more expensive than replacing the standard key. You can reset your key following the instructions provided in your owner's manual. However, this could be time-consuming and complex, and may not always work.
By having a designated place to keep your keys, you can lower the risk of them getting lost. You can hang a key holder near 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. It is also a good idea to organize your home or office, as a messy environment can make it easier to lose things! Just remember that even if you're not prone to losing your keys, it's possible to forget the keys! In case of an emergency, it's crucial to have a backup plan. It's always better to be prepared than being stuck on the side of the highway!
3. Call for a Towing Service
It's a great idea to keep an extra set of keys if you are someone who loses their car keys often. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to keep in your car, and they will save you a lot of anxiety in the near future. Many of the latest cars come with safety features that make it more difficult to gain access to the vehicle. You can find this feature in the new Longo Toyota inventory, or you can upgrade your vehicle.
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 traditional, non-digitally programmed key, locksmiths can replace it. A smart key can make the process more complicated. The dealer will have to run your VIN and provide proof ownership to obtain an alternative key, which can take up to a few weeks.
The majority of car rental firms do not keep spare keys in their facilities however they will help you resolve the problem. Hertz offers a lost-key service as part of its premium roadside support plan. However the service isn't offered when you don't purchase additional roadside protection.
If you're unable to get assistance from your rental company or not having an emergency roadside service plan in place, you'll need to call a locksmith or a towing service. Both can help you get back in your vehicle and back on the road however each has advantages and disadvantages. It is important to study each option before selecting the best one, and to keep the contact information for both on hand in case you ever require them. Be sure to keep your keys safe by all means. This means that you must always keep them in the same spot.
4. Contact spare key replacement
If you've lost your car keys, it's always better to have a strategy for how to get back in your vehicle. In the past, misplacing your car key or losing it was a minor inconvenience. Nowadays, this can be a major issue. The good thing is that if you're aware of it, getting an extra car key isn't nearly as difficult and expensive as it used to be.
The first thing you'll need to do is determine what type of key your vehicle has. Keys made of traditional design, which have the mechanical shank that goes into the ignition cylinder are generally simple to replace. A basic key that does not have a chip will cost around $10-$12. Most recent cars have keys that have security chips built in. These keys must be programmed to unlock doors or start the car. Getting an alternative key can cost upwards of $200.
These chips can be reprogrammed at a local dealership however, the process is complicated and requires specialized equipment. This process can also be done by a locksmith, but you should make sure that they are equipped with the proper tools and know-how.
Another option is to go to a key cutting shop like AutoZone where an associate will take a working key and trace its contours. The key cutting shop will be able to cut a key that matches the original's cuts. The only drawback is that you won't be able drive your vehicle until you've had the new key cut and programmable to the vehicle.
If you'd like to try this method out, you will need your driver's licence and proof of ownership. A locksmith or dealer can decode the VIN on these documents in order to determine the key code needed to pair a key with your car.
You can also save on the cost of programming by having an entirely new key cut, then attempting to reset it yourself. You can find instructions in the owner's manual or online.