How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your keys to your car could be a stressful experience. There are many ways you can replace them.
Find them first by yourself. Examine your bags, pockets and even the whole home.
Before you go to the dealership or a locksmith, make sure to have evidence of ownership, such as your registration number or title for your vehicle. This will help you save money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It is a good thing to have a spare key for your car, as losing them can be costly and stressful. There are many ways to obtain an extra key for your car, even it's not as straightforward as before.
The easiest method to obtain a spare car key is to contact the dealership. Dealerships keep a record of security information for every vehicle and will be able to locate your key in their database. However, they will require a key for you and pair it with your vehicle. This can cost between $200 to $500, based on where you live and the dealership you select, and the make of your vehicle.
A locksmith can also create you a standard-sized key. This is less expensive than going to the dealer, especially if your car is older and doesn't come with an upgraded key. You should check your warranty and insurance policy or auto club membership for payment.
Most of today's cars have a more sophisticated key, which is more expensive to replace than a conventional key. The keys are equipped with transponder chips that communicates with the vehicle's systems to unlock and start the engine. If you lose your smart key, it'll need to be paired with your vehicle which can only be done at the dealership.
If your vehicle is leased, the dealer may require you to return two sets of keys or key fobs at the end of the lease. It is important to have a second set of keys and key fobs just in case this occurs.
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 is always advisable to be prepared in case you have a problem, so make sure you keep a spare in an area that is secure and know what to do if you ever lose your car keys.
2. Call a Locksmith
It's not a secret that losing your car keys can be an absolute headache for the neck. When you're at the gas station, grocery store, or on the way home from work it can be extremely frustrating to realize that you've forgotten your spare key in the back of your car! Luckily, there are a few ways to replace your keys without having to pay for the locksmith or dealership.
If you have a traditional key, such as a regular double-edged car key, you are able to go to a local hardware store to purchase an alternative for less than $10. However, you'll have to provide evidence of ownership, like the vehicle registration or title. If you have a more technologically advanced key, such as a remote fob or a smart key, it may be harder to replace. You might have to contact an individual locksmith or the manufacturer to have a new key created.
Most modern vehicles use transponder keys that have to be programmed by the vehicle's computer. Locksmiths can assist you with this however it is more expensive than replacing an old key. You can also reset your key following the directions in the owner's manual, but this can be laborious and time-consuming, and it won't always work.
You can lessen the chance of losing your keys by having a dedicated place to put keys. You can hang a key holder close to your door or place them in an empty bowl on the table. You can keep a key ring around you at all times so that you always know where your keys are. You can also attempt to tidy up your home or office because a messy space can make it easier to lose things! Remember that even if your keys are never lost, you could forget them. get spare key made for car to have a backup plan in case this happens. It's always better to be prepared than stranded on the side of the highway!
3. Contact a Towing Service
If you're the kind of person who is constantly losing your car keys it is recommended to purchase an extra. They're fairly inexpensive and simple to keep around, and they will save you lots of anxiety in the near future. A lot of newer cars have safety features that make it more difficult to secure yourself. Check out the new inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle with this feature, or think about upgrading your current car to one with it.
There are many ways to replace your car key but the details will vary depending on the type of key you have and how it was misplaced. For example, if you have an old-fashioned key that's not digitally programmed, locksmiths is likely to be able replace it quickly. If you have a digital key however, this could be a much more involved process. The dealer will have to verify the VIN and provide proof of ownership to obtain a replacement key and it could take some time.
Car rental companies typically do not keep spare keys in their facilities, but they will often assist you in getting the problem solved. Hertz for instance offers the option of losing keys as part of its premium roadside assistance plan. The service is not available if you do not purchase additional roadside protection.
If you're unable to get help from your rental provider, or if you don't have an emergency roadside assistance plan in place you'll need to contact an emergency locksmith or towing service. Both will get you back into your car and on the road but each comes with advantages and disadvantages. It is important to study both options before choosing a service, and also to store the contact information for both in case you ever need them. Don't lose your keys by all means. This means you should always put them in the same place.
4. Call an Repair Shop
It is best to plan ahead if you lose your keys. In the past, misplacing your car keys or losing it was a minor inconvenience. Nowadays, this can be a major issue. If you're intelligent, it's not nearly as difficult or expensive to purchase a spare key like it was in the past.
The first thing you'll need to determine the kind of key your car has. Keys that are traditional with mechanical shanks that insert into the ignition are easy to replace. A standard key without chip can cost between $10 to $12. The majority of modern cars come with keys with security chips built into them that need to be reprogrammed into the car to unlock doors or start the car. Getting a replacement for these keys can cost upwards of $200.
The process of programming these chips is a complex process and requires specialized equipment. A locksmith may also be able to perform this task, but it's important to choose a locksmith with the proper experience and tools.
Another option is to go to an establishment that cuts keys, such as AutoZone where an associate will take a working key and trace its contours. The key cutting shop will be able to cut a key that is in line with the original's cuts. The only drawback is that you won't be able drive your vehicle until you've had the new key cut and programmed to your vehicle.
If you'd like to try this method out you'll require your driver's license as well as proof of ownership. A locksmith or dealer will decode the VIN number on these documents to locate the code that's needed to pair a new key with your vehicle.
You can also cut down on the programming costs by having the key cut from a new one and then trying to reset it yourself. Most manufacturers will have instructions on how to do this in their owner's manual. Alternatively, you can look up "How to program a (your year, make and model) key" online.