How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your keys to your car can be a stressful experience. There are a variety of ways you can replace keys.
First, try to find them yourself. Examine your bags, pockets and even the whole home.
Make sure to bring proof of ownership with you before visiting a dealership or a locksmith. This could be your car's registration or title. This will help you save money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It's a good idea to have a spare key for your car, as losing them can be costly and stressful. There are many ways to get an extra key for your car, even although it's not as simple as it was in the past.
Contacting the dealership is the most efficient method to obtain a replacement key. Dealerships keep track of the security information for every vehicle, and they can locate your key quickly in their database. They will however need to make the key for you, and join it to your car. This can cost anywhere between $200 and $500 based on the location, the dealership and the make of your vehicle.
Another option is to have a locksmith create you the standard key. This is a less expensive alternative to visiting the dealer, particularly if you have an older car that doesn't have an upgraded key. Check your warranty and insurance policy or auto club membership for details on how to pay.
The majority of cars today utilize an expensive, sophisticated key that is hard to replace. These keys contain a transponder that communicates with a vehicle's system in order to unlock and start the vehicle. If you lose your smart key, it will need to be paired with your vehicle, which can only be done at the dealership.
It is important to remember that if your vehicle is on lease, the dealer might have you turn in two sets of keys and key fobs once the lease expires. If this is the case, it's crucial to have a spare key and make sure you have it when your lease expires.
The cost of a spare car key is more expensive than it was in the past, but it's still worth it to prevent anxiety and costly repairs in the future. It is best to be prepared for any scenario. Keep the spare key in a safe location and know what you need to do in the event that your keys ever get lost.
2. Contact a Locksmith
It's no secret that losing your car keys can be a nightmare. When you're at the gas station, grocery store, or on the return from work, it can be very difficult to realize that you've left your spare key in the back of your car! There are a variety of ways to replace your keys without paying an expensive locksmith or dealership.
If you have a conventional key, such as a standard double-edged car key, you can go to your local hardware store to purchase a replacement key for less than $10. However, you'll need to provide proof of ownership, like the registration of your vehicle or title. If you own a more technologically advanced key, such as a remote fob or a smart key, it could be harder to replace. It is possible to contact an emergency locksmith in your area or the manufacturer to get a new key made.
Most modern vehicles utilize transponder keys that need to be programmed by the vehicle's computer. A locksmith can assist you with this, but it will be more expensive than replacing the traditional key. You can reset your key by following the instructions found in your owner's manual. However, this could be time-consuming and difficult and may not always work.
You can lessen the chance of losing your keys by having a specific location to store keys. You can put an empty bowl or key holder on a table close to your door. You can keep a key ring with your person at all times to ensure that you know where your keys are. You can also attempt to organize your office or home since a messy office can make it easier to lose things! Remember that even if you're not the type to lose your keys, it's still possible that you could lose them! In case of an emergency, it's important to create a backup plan. It's better to be prepared rather than be stuck on the side of the road!
3. Call a Towing Service
If you are the type of person who regularly loses your car keys, it's an excellent idea to have a spare. These are fairly cheap and easy to keep around, and they will help you avoid a lot of stress in the future. Many newer vehicles have safety features that make it more difficult to lock yourself out. Take a look at the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle that has this feature, or think about upgrading your current vehicle to one with this feature.
There are several ways to replace your car key however the exact procedure will differ based on the type of key you have and how it was misplaced. For instance, if you have a traditional key that isn't digitally programmed, locksmiths will be able to replace it quickly. A smart key could make the process more complicated. The dealer must examine the VIN and provide proof of ownership in order to obtain a replacement key, which may take a few days.
Car rental companies usually don't keep spare keys in their facilities however, they'll usually work with you to get the issue solved. Hertz for instance offers the option of losing keys as part of its roadside assistance plan. However spare car keys isn't provided if you don't purchase additional roadside protection coverage.
If your rental company is unable to help you, or you don't have their roadside emergency service plan, the next step is to call an towing service or locksmith. Both will allow you to get back in your car and back on the roads, but they each have distinct advantages and disadvantages. It is important to look into both options and keep contact details of both companies available in case of emergency. Avoid losing your keys by every means. This means that you must always put them in the same spot.
4. Contact an Repair Shop
It's best to plan ahead when you lose your keys. It wasn't long ago that losing your keys was an inconvenience, but today it can actually be a big problem. If you're intelligent, it's not nearly as difficult or expensive to find a spare key like it was.
First, you'll need to determine the type of key your vehicle is using. The traditional keys with mechanical shanks that insert into the ignition are easy to replace. A basic key that does not have a chip is priced between $10 and $12. But, newer cars have keys that come with security chips that must be reprogrammed by the car to open the doors or start it. Getting a replacement for these keys could cost up to $200.
The chips can be reprogrammed at your local dealership however, the process is a bit complicated and requires special equipment. This service is also attainable by a locksmith, but you must ensure that they have the right tools and experience.
A key cutting shop such as AutoZone can also be utilized. A staff member will trace the contours of a working key. The key cutting shop will be able cut a key that matches the original's cut. The only downside is that you won't be able drive your car until you have the new key cut and programmed to your vehicle.
If you're interested in trying this method, ensure you have the original working key together with your driver's licence and evidence of ownership. A locksmith or dealer can decode the VIN number on these documents to locate the code that's needed to connect a brand new key to your vehicle.
You can also lower the cost of programming by purchasing a new key and then trying to reset it on your own. The instructions are available in the owner's guide or online.