How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys can be extremely stressful. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to replace them.
Begin by locating them yourself. Check your pockets, bags and the entire house.
Before visiting the dealership or a locksmith be sure to bring proof of ownership such as your registration number or title for your vehicle. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It's a good idea to have a spare key for your car, since losing them could be costly and stressful. While it isn't as easy as it once was to find an extra car key, there are many ways you can still get one.
spare keys for cars to obtain an extra car key is to call the dealership. Dealerships keep a record of the security information for every vehicle and can find yours quickly in their database. However, they will need to make the key for you as well as pair it with your vehicle. This can cost between $200 to $500, based on your location and the dealership you select and the model of your vehicle.
A locksmith can also create you keys of standard size. This is cheaper than going to the dealership in particular if your car is older and doesn't have a more advanced key. Check your warranty, insurance policy or auto club membership to see if you can pay.
The majority of cars today have a sophisticated, expensive key that is hard to replace. They have an electronic transponder that communicates with a vehicle's system to allow you to unlock and start the vehicle. If you lose your smart key, it will need to be paired back to your vehicle, which can only be done at the dealership.
link home is important to remember that if your car is on lease, the dealer might require you to turn in two sets of keys and key fobs after the lease expires. If this is the case, it's crucial to have a spare and ensure that you have it before your lease is up.
It's more costly to buy a spare key, however it's worthwhile if you want to save yourself from stress and costly repairs in the near future. It's always better to be prepared in case you face a problem so make sure to keep a spare key in a safe place and be aware of what to do in the event that you ever lose your car keys.
2. Call a Locksmith
It's no secret that losing your car keys can be a nightmare. When you're at the gas station, the grocery store or on your return from work, it can be very frustrating to realize that you have left your spare key in the back of your car! There are several ways to get your keys replaced without having to pay the dealership or a locksmith.
If you have an old key, like a double-edged one, you can get a new one from your local hardware store for less than $10. However, you'll have to provide proof of ownership, like the registration of your vehicle or title. It might be more difficult to replace a key which is more technologically advanced like a smart key or remote fob. You might need to contact your local locksmith or the manufacturer to have a replacement made for you.
Most modern vehicles use transponder keys that need to be programmed by the vehicle's computer. This can be accomplished by a locksmith, however it will cost more than replacing the standard key. You can also reset your key by following the instructions in the owner's manual, but this can be lengthy and time-consuming, and it isn't always successful.
By having a designated place to store your keys, you will reduce the chance of them getting lost. You can place an empty bowl or key holder on a table close to your door. You can always keep a key ring with you so you know where your keys will be. You can also attempt to declutter your office or home since a messy office can make it easier to lose things! Just remember that even if you are not prone to losing your keys, it's still possible that you could forget them! In case of an emergency, it's crucial to prepare a backup plan. It's always better to be prepared rather than being stuck on the side of the road!
3. Call a Towing Service
It's a good idea to keep a spare set of keys if are someone who loses their car keys often. These are easy to store and are inexpensive and will spare you a great deal of stress in future. A lot of newer cars have security features that make it more difficult to secure yourself. Check out the new inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle that has this feature, or consider upgrading your vehicle to one with this feature.
While there are many ways to get your car key replaced, the specifics will depend on the kind of key you have and how it was lost. If you own a traditional key that is not digitally programmed, locksmiths can replace it. A smart key can make the process more difficult. The dealer will need to examine the VIN and provide proof of ownership to get an alternative key for you and it could take several days.
Car rental companies usually don't keep spare keys on site however, they'll usually collaborate with you to get the problem solved. Hertz for instance, does offer the option of losing keys as part of its premium roadside assistance plan. This service is only available if you don't purchase additional roadside protection.
If you're unable to receive assistance from your rental company, or not having an emergency roadside assistance plan with them you'll need to contact an emergency locksmith or towing service. Both can allow you to get back in your car and on the roads, but they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. It's important that you look into each option and keep the contact details of both companies available in case of emergency. Be sure to keep your keys safe by every means. This means that you must always keep them in the same location.
4. Call a Repair Shop
If you've lost your keys to your car, it's better to have a strategy for getting back in the vehicle. It wasn't so long ago that losing your key was just an inconvenience, but now it's often an issue. The good news is that if you're smart about it, getting an extra car key is not nearly as hard and costly as it was in the past.
First, you'll need to determine the type of key your vehicle uses. Traditional keys, with just the mechanical shank that goes into the ignition cylinder, are typically simple to replace. A simple key without a chip is priced between $10 and $12. However, more recent automobiles use keys with built-in security chips that have to be reprogrammed to the car to unlock the doors or start it. Getting the keys replaced can cost as much as $200.
These chips can be programmed at your local dealer, but the process is a bit complicated and requires special equipment. This procedure can also be performed 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, such as AutoZone where an associate will pick up a working key and trace its contours. The key cutting shop will then be able to cut a key that is in line with the original's cuts. The only drawback is that you will not be able to drive your vehicle until the new key is cut and programmed.
If you're interested in trying this method, ensure you bring the actual working key together with your driver's license and proof of ownership. A locksmith or dealer can decode the VIN on these documents to determine the key code needed to pair your key with your vehicle.
You can also reduce the cost of programming by having a new key and then trying to reset it yourself. You can find the instructions in the owner's guide or on the internet.