How to Avoid Losing Your Car Keys
Losing your car keys could be a major headache. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prevent this from occurring.
Traditional key chains and a tidying of your home or office are easy, yet efficient methods to keep your car keys safe. For more complicated keys, however, you will have to call your dealership or a locksmith.
Retract Your Steps
Retracing your steps can help you find your keys. This may seem like a dated piece of advice, but it can be extremely helpful in locating lost items. The first step is to go back to the last place you remember seeing your keys. If you dropped your keys when getting out of the car, make sure you check your driveway and garage. Check under all items that might have fallen on the table if you dropped them.
If you aren't able to trace your steps work, you can write down everything that you did during the day to trigger memories of where your keys might be. This may also help narrow down your search.
Make sure you are aware of your hiding spots
Losing your keys is the worst feeling especially if you're late. It's easy to get distracted and then put them away in a random spot at home. It is important to put your keys back in the same place after you've used them. This will become a habit and you'll know exactly where to find keys in the future.
Begin by retracing the steps you followed and then examining the places you might have left keys. This includes counters, tables and hooks to hang keys. Also, look through your bags and pockets for any items that have fallen out.
Next, make sure to take a thorough look inside your car. Many people store their keys inside a compartment or bag inside the car. If your keys have fobs, it's an excellent idea to remove the fob of its holder and look the area around it to determine if it has fallen off.
In the end, it's a good idea to check the property itself. Many people lose their keys when wearing coats and forget to take them out before entering the house. Start by checking your pockets and bags. You can also look around under furniture and in couch cushions to determine whether you've lost them. If you've still not found your keys, it might be time to call a locksmith. If you're fortunate they may be able to help you retrieve your keys. If not, they'll be lost forever and you'll need to purchase a new set.
Try turning the car on
Keep a spare car key in your glove box to prevent being locked out. This will allow you to get back into your car, even if you've lost your key fob.
If you have a brand newer car that has only keyless entry and push-button start then you'll be out of luck if your keys are lost. The reason is that the key fob is equipped with an element wireless that transmits a signal to the ignition, and if it doesn't detect this signal, the car won't turn on.
To overcome this issue, many car manufacturers build a fail-safe in their vehicles. If the battery in the key fob fails, it will not be able transmit the signal required to start the ignition of your vehicle. Certain cars have a hidden switch under the steering wheel that can be used without the key fob. Refer to the owner's manual of your vehicle for specific instructions on how to turn on this switch.
A variety of different strategies can be used to begin the car using an unresponsive key fob but it's generally a difficult and risky job. Some methods employ an open-ended screwdriver to start the ignition, while others employ hot wiring, a method which reroutes the battery's wires to start the engine. The process of trying these methods is usually best left to an auto professional who will have all the necessary equipment. In the majority of cases, an expert will have to take out a few modules in order to gain access to the security elements. The last option is to ask the dealer to program the new key fob to connect to your vehicle.
Call Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company immediately when you lose your keys. This will prevent anyone from trying to use the keys you lost and provide you with peace of mind. If you don't report missing car keys in time, you could discover that someone else has used them and caused the door of your vehicle damaged or ignition.
reference are on an upward trend, particularly when the owner has left keys in their vehicle. Fortunately, some insurance companies offer key replacement insurance as an optional rider to their comprehensive car insurance policies. The price and requirements for this coverage differ from one insurance policy to the next.
Most companies provide a tiny portion of the cost to replace the key fob, which can be a costly proposition. If you have a smart key that opens your doors or even start your engine, this can be more expensive to replace. In this scenario it is worth looking into alternatives such as a roadside assist plan that includes the locksmith.
You should also contact the manufacturer of your car to see if they offer replacements for lost fobs. Some manufacturers sell them directly and can even pair up a new one with your car at the dealership. These services are usually less expensive and faster than having your car towed. However, it is important to consider the cost of your deductible when you are considering these options.
Call for a locksmith
There are a myriad of reasons you might lose your car keys. The best way to stop this from happening is by keeping an extra key on hand or by using one of the many Bluetooth key trackers available. This will allow you to locate your car in a matter of seconds, thereby saving you money on a locksmith as well as a tow back at the dealer.
Make sure to report the incident as quickly as you can if you've lost your car keys. This will help to ensure that your keys don't get stolen or used by someone else. This will help ensure that you are covered by your insurance provider in the case of an insurance claim.
If you do lose your car keys, the very first thing to do is look them up in all the typical places that they can be located. You can then call an expert locksmith to create the replacement. They usually can make this happen immediately and will make use of the latest technology to make a duplicate key and then program it.
It is important to work with a professional locksmith who has the necessary expertise in the creation of these kinds of replacement keys. They should have the tools to be able to take out stuck or bent keys without further damaging them. They must be able to provide you a warranty on their work.
Some dealerships can make new keys for customers, however it will cost more than using an outside locksmith. You should also determine if your insurance covers the cost of a locksmith or locksmith.