How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your keys to your car could be a very stressful experience. There are several ways you can replace them.
First, try to find them yourself. Take a look in all your pockets and bags, and look around the house.
Before you go to the dealership or locksmith ensure that you have proof of ownership such as your vehicle registration or title. This will help you save money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It's a good idea to have an extra key for your car, since losing them could be expensive and stressful. There are still several ways to obtain an extra key for your vehicle, even though it's not as easy as before.
Contacting spare car key fob is the easiest method to get a spare key. Dealerships keep records of security information for each vehicle and are able to quickly locate yours in their system. They will have to make you a key, and then pair it with your car. This can cost anywhere between $200 and $500 based on the location, dealership and make of your car.
Another alternative is to have a locksmith make you the standard key. This is cheaper than visiting a dealership in particular if your car is older and doesn't have an upgraded key. Check your warranty and insurance policy or auto club membership to see if you can pay.
The majority of cars today use keys that are sophisticated and expensive that is extremely difficult to replace. The keys are equipped with transponder chips that communicates with the vehicle's system to allow the vehicle to start and unlock the engine. If you lose your smart keys, they'll have to be paired with your vehicle. This is only done by the dealership.
It is important to remember that if your car is on lease, the dealer might require you to surrender two sets of keys and key fobs after the lease expires. If this is the case, it's important to have a spare set and ensure you have it before your lease is up.
It's more expensive to purchase an extra key, but it is still worth it if you wish to save yourself from stress and expensive repairs in the future. It's best to be prepared for any scenario. Keep a spare key in a secure location and be aware of what you should do if your keys get lost.
2. Call a locksmith
It's not a secret that losing keys to your car is a hassle. Whether you're at the gas station, at the grocery store, or on your way home from work it can be extremely frustrating to realize that you have left your spare key in the back seat of your car! There are a variety of ways to replace your keys without having to pay a dealership or locksmith.
If you own a traditional key, like a regular double-edged car key, you are able to go to your local hardware store and get a replacement for less than $10. However, you will require proof of ownership, such as the registration of your vehicle or the title. It might be more difficult to replace a key that is more advanced in technology, such as an intelligent key or remote fob. You may have to call an emergency locksmith in your area or the manufacturer to get a new key created.
Transponder keys are used in the majority of modern vehicles. They must be programmed into the computer of the vehicle. A locksmith can do this for you, but it will be more expensive than simply replacing an old key. You can also reset your key by following the steps in your owner's manual, however, it can be laborious and time-consuming, and isn't always successful.
By having a designated place to store your keys you can reduce the chances of them being lost. You can hang a key holder near your door or place them in an empty bowl on tables. You can also keep a key ring with your person at all times to ensure that you always know where your keys are. You can also try to tidy up your office or home, as a messy environment can make it easier to lose things! Keep in mind that even if the keys are never lost, you might forget them. It's important to have a backup plan in the event that this happens. It's always better to be prepared than stuck on the side of the road!
3. Contact 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 frequently. They're fairly inexpensive and easy to keep in your car and can save you a lot of anxiety in the future. Many of the latest cars come with security features which make it much more difficult to be locked out of the vehicle. Take a look at the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle that has this feature, or consider upgrading your current vehicle to one with this feature.
There are a myriad of ways to get your car key replaced, the specifics will depend on the type of key you own and how it was lost. For instance, if you have an older key that isn't digitally programmed, a locksmith is likely to be able replace it quickly. A smart key can make the process more complicated. The dealer will have to examine the VIN and provide proof of ownership in order to obtain a replacement key this could take some time.
Most car rental firms do not keep spare keys on their premises however, they will help you resolve the issue. Hertz offers a lost-key assistance as part of its premium roadside support plan. The service is not available if you don't purchase additional roadside protection.
If your rental company can't assist you, or you do not have their emergency roadside service plan, the next option is to contact an towing service or locksmith. Both will allow you to get back in your car and on the roads, but they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. It's important to research the options before settling on the best one, and to store the contact information for both in case you ever need them. Also, make sure you avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means placing them in the same place each time and not leaving them in the pocket of your coat or on the top of your car when parking.
4. Contact a Repair Shop
If you lose your keys to your car, it's better to have a strategy for how to get back in the vehicle. It wasn't so long ago that misplacing or losing your key was just an inconvenience, but today it's often an issue. If you're clever, it's not as difficult or expensive to get a spare key as it once was.
The first thing you'll have to do is determine what kind of key your car has. Keys that are traditional, having a mechanical shank that inserts into the ignition cylinder are usually easy to replace. A basic key with no chip will cost around $10-$12. However, more recent cars have keys that come with security chips that need to be reprogrammed to the car to open the doors or start it. Keys replacement for these vehicles can cost as much as $200.
These chips can be programmed at your local dealer however the process is complicated and requires specialized equipment. This service can also be performed by a locksmith, but you must ensure that they have the appropriate tools and know-how.
Another option is to go to an establishment that cuts keys, such as AutoZone, where an associate will pick up 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 is that you won't be able to drive your vehicle until the new key has been cut and programmed.
If you're interested in trying this method, make sure you bring the actual working key together with your driver's license and proof of ownership. A dealer or locksmith can decode the VIN on these documents in order to find the code needed to connect a key to your vehicle.
You can also reduce the cost of programming by getting a new key 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 search for "How to program a (your year model, make and year) key" online.