How to Avoid Losing Your Car Keys
It can be a major hassle to lose your car keys. There are a few steps you can take to avoid this.
Secure your car keys by using traditional key chains or decluttering your office or home. For more complex keys however, you'll need to contact your dealership or a locksmith.
Retract Your Steps
You can often find your keys by going back to your steps. This may sound like the most old-fashioned piece of advice, but it can be extremely useful in finding lost items. The first step is to go back to where you last had your keys. If you dropped your keys after getting out of the car, check your driveway and garage. If you set them on the table in the kitchen make sure you look under all the things that could have fallen on it.
If retracing steps does not work, take a note of everything you did that day to aid you in locating where your keys might be. This may also help narrow down your search.
Be aware of your hiding spots
It's a terrible feeling to lose your keys, particularly when it means you're running late. It's easy for you to get distracted, and then leave them in a random spot at home. It is important to put your keys back in the exact spot after you've used them. This will make it an habit, and you'll know where to find them in the future.
When you're trying to find your keys, begin by retracing your steps, and looking for the usual places you may have set them down. This includes countertops, tables and key hooks. You can also check in pockets and bags to see if they have been taken out.
Next, check the inside of your vehicle. Many people keep their keys inside a compartment or bag of the car. It's a good idea, if your keys come with a fob to remove the fob from its holder to check whether it's fallen out.
It's also recommended to inspect the inside of the house. Many people forget to remove their keys before entering the house if they're wearing a coat. Inspecting your pockets and emptying your bags is a good starting point, but it's also worth checking the cushions on your couch and looking under the furniture to determine whether they're there. If you've still not found your keys, it could be time to contact a locksmith. If you're lucky, they'll be in a position to assist you in finding them. If not, it's likely they have been lost forever and you'll need to purchase another set.
Try turning off the car.
Keep an extra car key in your glove box to avoid being locked out. You are still able to get into your car even if you have lost your key fob.
If your keys are missing and you're not sure where to find them, you're out of luck. The reason is because the key fob has an electronic element that wirelessly transmits a signal to the ignition in the event that it doesn't detect this signal, the car won't start.
To overcome this issue, a lot of automobile manufacturers have built a fail-safe into their vehicles. If the battery inside your key fob goes out it will not be able transmit the signal required to start the ignition of the vehicle. However, some cars have a switch that is hidden beneath the steering wheel that can be turned without the your key fob. Refer to the owner's manual of your vehicle for specific instructions on how to turn on this switch.
There are several ways to start a car when it has an unresponsive fob. But, it's a challenging task that can be risky. Some techniques use screws to open the ignition while others use hot wiring, a method which reroutes the battery's wires to start the engine. It is recommended to leave these methods to an auto expert who has the required equipment. In the majority of cases, the expert will have to take out some modules to gain access to the security components. The last option is to let the dealer program the new key fob to connect to your vehicle.
Call Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company right away when you lose your keys. This will prevent anyone from using keys that you have lost, and give you peace-of-mind. If you don't report missing car keys at the time you should, you may discover that someone has used them and left damage to your car's doors or ignition.
It's a sad fact that car thefts are increasing especially when the owner has hid their keys inside the vehicle. Fortunately, some insurance companies offer key replacement coverage as an optional add-on to their comprehensive insurance policies. However, the cost and conditions for this coverage could vary from policy to policy.
Most companies only provide a tiny portion of the cost to replace the key fob, which could be an expensive proposition. If you have a key with a smart chip that opens your doors or even start your engine, it could be more expensive to replace. In this case it is worth looking into alternatives like a roadside assistance plan that includes locksmith.
Check with your car's manufacturer to find out if they provide spare keys to replace lost ones. Some manufacturers sell them directly and can even pair up the new one with your car at the dealership. These services are less expensive than having your car tow into the dealership, and they can be faster as well. However, you should always factor in the cost of your deductible when considering these options.
Contact a Locksmith
There are many reasons why you may lose your car keys. The best way to stop this from happening is by keeping a spare key on hand, or using one of the numerous Bluetooth key trackers available. This will enable you to locate your car in seconds and save you from having to spend money on locksmiths or having to be taken back to the dealership.
If you do happen to lose the keys to your car, it is crucial to report the incident as soon as you can. This will ensure that the keys don't get taken or used by someone else. This will ensure that you are covered by your insurance provider in the case of an insurance claim.
If you do lose your car keys, the first thing to do is check thoroughly for them in all the typical locations where they can be located. You can then contact an expert locksmith to make a replacement. They usually can do this in a matter of minutes, and they will use the latest technology to make a duplicate key for you and program it.
It is also crucial to remember that you must only work with an experienced locksmith in making these kinds of replacement keys. lost keys for car should have the necessary tools to be able to remove stuck or bent keys without further damaging them. They should be able to offer you a guarantee for their work.
Some dealerships can make new keys for customers, but it is more expensive than hiring an outside locksmith. You should also determine whether your insurance covers the cost of a dealership or locksmith.