How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your keys to your car can be quite stressful. Luckily, there are several methods to replace them.
Find them first by yourself. Check all your pockets and bags, and look around the home.
Make sure to bring proof of ownership before visiting a dealership or a locksmith. This could be your vehicle title or registration. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It is a good thing to have a spare key for your car, since losing them could be expensive and stressful. Although it's not as simple as it used to be to get a spare car key, there are many ways you can still find one.
Contacting the dealership is the most efficient way to obtain a spare key. Dealerships have a record of the security information for each vehicle and will locate your car key quickly within their database. They will have to make you a key and pair it to your car. The cost can range from $200 and $500 based on your location, the dealership you use, and the make of your vehicle.
Another alternative is to have a locksmith create you the standard key. This is a cheaper alternative to going to the dealer, particularly when you own an older car that doesn't have an upgraded key. Make sure to check your warranty and insurance policy or auto club membership for details on how to pay.
The majority of cars today have keys that are sophisticated and expensive that is hard to replace. The keys are equipped with a transponder chip 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 and this can only be done at the dealership.
It's important to remember that if your vehicle is under lease, the dealer might require you to turn in two sets of keys and key fobs once the lease is up. If this is the case, it's crucial to have a spare key and ensure you have it when your lease expires.
It's more expensive to purchase a spare key, however it is still worthwhile if you want to avoid the hassle of expensive repairs in the future. It is best to be prepared for any scenario. Keep a spare key in a secure place and know what you should do if your keys get lost.
2. Contact for a locksmith
It's no secret that losing your keys to your car is a hassle. It can be frustrating to discover that you've forgotten your spare car keys in the backseat of your vehicle, whether you're at the gas station, grocery store, or returning home from work. There are several ways to replace your keys without paying an auto dealer or locksmith.
If you have an old key, such as a double-edged key you can purchase an alternative one at your local hardware store for less than $10. But, you'll have to provide evidence of ownership, like the vehicle registration or title. It might be more difficult to replace a key that's more technologically advanced, such as a smart key or a remote fob. You may have to call a local locksmith or the manufacturer to have an entirely new key.
Transponder keys are utilized in the majority of modern automobiles. These keys must be programmed into the car's computer. A locksmith can assist you with this however it is more expensive than replacing an old key. You can also try to reset your key by following the directions in your owner's manual, however, this is lengthy and time-consuming, and won't always work.
You can lower the risk of losing your keys in the first place by having a dedicated location to store them. You can hang a key holder near your door, or put them in an empty bowl on a table. You can also keep a key ring on you at all times so you are always aware of where your keys are. It is also possible to tidy up your home or office space because a messy area is a higher risk to lose items. Keep in mind that even if the keys are never lost, you might lose them. It's important to have a backup plan in case this happens. It's better to be prepared than to be stuck at the side of the road!
3. Contact a Towing Service
If you're the kind of person who regularly loses your car keys it is recommended to purchase an extra. These are fairly cheap and simple to keep in your car and can save you a lot of stress in the future. Many newer cars come with safety features that make it harder to get locked out of the vehicle. You can find this feature in the brand new Longo Toyota inventory, or you can upgrade your vehicle.
There are a variety of ways to replace your car keys however the exact procedure will vary based on the type of key and how it was misplaced. For example, if you have an old-fashioned key that's not digitally programmed, a locksmith should be able to replace it with ease. A smart key could make the process more difficult. The dealer must verify your VIN and provide proof ownership for a new key, which could take several weeks.
Car rental companies generally don't keep spare keys on their premises however, they'll usually collaborate with you to get the issue resolved. Hertz for instance offers a lost key service as part of its roadside assistance plan. The service is not available if you don't purchase additional roadside protection.
If you are unable to get assistance from your rental provider, or if you don't have an emergency roadside service plan in place, you'll need to call an emergency locksmith or towing service. Both of them can help you get back in your car and on the road, but each has its own benefits and drawbacks. It is essential to look into both options and keep the contact information of both providers on hand just in case. Also, try to avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means that you must always keep them in the same location.
4. Contact an Repair Shop
If you've lost your car keys, it's always best to have a plan for how to get back in your vehicle. In the past, losing your car key or losing it was a minor issue. Nowadays, this can be a major issue. The good part is that if aware of it, getting the spare car key you need isn't as difficult and costly as it used to be.
The first thing you'll have to determine the kind of key your vehicle has. Keys that are traditional, having an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition cylinder, are typically simple to replace. A simple key without a chip will cost around $10-$12. The most recent vehicles come with keys with security chips built into them that need to be programmed to unlock doors or start the vehicle. Keys replacement for these vehicles can cost up to $200.
These chips can be reprogrammed at a local dealership, but the process is a bit complicated and requires special equipment. A locksmith might also be able to provide this task, but it's important to find a locksmith who has the necessary skills and experience.
Another option is to visit an establishment that cuts keys, such as AutoZone where a staff member will take a working key and trace its contours. This way they'll be able to cut the new key to match the original key's cut. The only downside to this is that you won't be allowed to drive your car until you have the new key cut and programmed to the vehicle.
If you're interested in trying this method, ensure you bring the working key along with your driver's license and evidence of ownership. A dealer or locksmith will be able to decode the VIN on these documents to determine the key code needed to pair a key with your car.
You can also cut down on the cost of programming by getting an entirely new key created and then trying to reset it yourself. Most manufacturers will include instructions on how to do this in the owner's manual. Or, you can simply search for "How to program a (your year, make and model) key" online.