Replacing Lost Keys to a Car

Nothing disrupts your day like losing your car keys. You begin to retrace the steps in order to find them.

Replacing keys lost can be costly, depending on the type of vehicle you have. It could be necessary to tow your car to a dealership or pay to hire a locksmith.

What to do

We all get so busy running around doing school drop-off and pick-up at work, grocery shopping excursions, dinner dates with friends, and a myriad of other tasks on our lists that things can get lost car keys. You could lose anything, from your most cherished sunglasses to your debit cards or keys. One of the most irritating and annoying things to lose is your car lost key keys.

If you've lost your keys, you need to remain calm and not get stressed. There's a good chance that they are nearby, especially if you just notice them on the floor or on the seat. If you've determined that they are not in your wallet or purse and you've found them, you must contact an expert locksmith or visit the dealership. The dealer will require your vehicle identification number (VIN), so they can request and pair your replacement key electronically to your vehicle. This could take several days.

A traditional double-edged car key is pretty easy to replace or make a duplicate of. Many automotive locksmiths will create them on-site or at your local hardware store using only the VIN number and proof of ownership (like a registration or title). The key fobs can be more difficult to replace, as they have security features that are paired up with your vehicle. They also require a dealer purchased key.

Keyless Ignition Keys

A fob is an electronic device that replaces the traditional metal insert keys found in many new vehicles. A fob key can open your doors and also start the engine, however it must be in close to the vehicle in order to be able to do this. The system is different for different models. Push buttons and rocker switches that have to be turned and flipped, as well as the rotary switches, which have to be rotated just like an ignition key, are all available.

Keyless ignition doesn't come without its flaws. Some drivers have left their cars running accidentally in enclosed spaces, Utahgateway.com/go/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV0b2tleXMtci11cy5jby51ay9rZXR0ZXJpbmctYXV0by1sb2Nrc21pdGhzLw such as garages. This has led to carbon monoxide poisoning as well as rollaway accidents in some cases.

There are ways to prevent this from happening. Certain keyless systems emit an alert--whether by honking the horn or sounding an alarm--if the fob is removed from the car when the engine is idle. Also, some systems will turn off the engine when the key lost car fob is out of the range for a specific amount of time.

Additionally certain models require that you press a button or rotate a switch to put the car into "park" before shutting off the engine. This is a good practice to ensure that you're completely off the vehicle and the parking brake is engaged. You should always check your owner's manual for specific instructions on operating your model's keyless system.

Standard Keys

We've all been there: you reach in your purse or pocket but can't locate the keys. Your plans for the evening - changing into your favorite sweats, having pizza or binge-watching your favorite show -- suddenly seem uncertain.

There are, however, old-fashioned keys available. The traditional keys, made of plain-cut metal, are easy to replace by an locksmith in the automotive sector if you've got the proper identification form or proof of birth. They are also less difficult to steal than the newer varieties of keys and are less likely to be lost keys in car or locked in your vehicle.

One drawback to traditional keys is that they don't come with a tracker built-in, like many smart keys do. This makes them a little more vulnerable to theft and loss, but you can purchase trackers for your aftermarket that can assist you in the event of loss or theft.

If your vehicle comes with Tibbe keys, an elongated key that's more challenging to duplicate than standard keys for cars, it's crucial to be aware that only a dealer can make a new replacement. If you lose a tibbe keys you'll have to contact roadside assistance. They could have to tow your car to the dealership to get a new key. However, if you only have a standard key, an automotive locksmith can drive to your place and make you a replacement right there.

Key Fobs

Modern key fobs are difficult to lose and can be expensive to replace. They are a combination of the remote which locks or unlocks the car door and transponder to enable features such as the push-button start. A lot of them have a switchblade configuration that allows you to tuck in the key blade when not using it.

Replacing the standard key is typically easy enough for a car locksmith to complete and can cost as low as $10. For more advanced key fobs, however, an additional machine is required to reprogram the spare or replacement to be compatible with your car. The machines are generally only available at certain dealerships and could cost you extra. Certain key fobs require the exact combination of buttons or turning on the remote to work. There are instructions in the owner's manuals of some models or on the internet.

Fortunately, most auto dealers and professional locksmiths can take care of this kind of job. Take a look at your warranty or insurance policy, as well as your auto club membership to see whether it covers the replacement of a key fob. You can still prepare to pay for the cost when you have a spare key fob that has been programmed ahead of time. A spare fob can help you avoid being stuck without a car when your keys or fob go missing.