How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys could be extremely stressful. There are many ways to replace them.
Find them first by yourself. Take car spare key near me in all your bags and pockets and then look around the house.
Make sure to bring proof of ownership with you prior to visiting a dealer or locksmith. This could be your vehicle's title or registration. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It is a good thing to have a spare key for your car, as losing them can be expensive and stressful. While it's not as easy as it used to be to obtain a spare car key, there are several ways you can still obtain one.
Contacting the dealership is the quickest method to obtain a replacement key. Dealerships keep records of security information for each vehicle and can quickly find your keys in their system. They will have to make you a key and connect it with your car. This can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 depending on the location, the dealership and make of your car.
A locksmith can also make you keys of standard size. This is a cheaper alternative to visiting the dealer, particularly if you have an older vehicle that doesn't have an advanced key. It's also important to verify your car's warranty, car-insurance policy or auto club membership to determine whether they'll pay for a new key fob.
The majority of cars today have an expensive, sophisticated key that is hard to replace. These keys contain transponders that communicate with the system of the vehicle in order to unlock and start the car. If you lose your smart keys, they will need to be connected to your vehicle. This is only possible through 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. If this is the case, you need to have a spare key and ensure that you have it before the lease is up.
It's more expensive to purchase a spare key, however it's still worth it if you wish to avoid stress and costly repairs in the future. It is best to be prepared for any situation. Keep your spare key in a secure place and know what you need to do in the event that your keys ever get lost.
2. Call a locksmith
It's not a secret that losing your keys to your car can be an enormous headache for the neck. It can be a bit frustrating to find out that you've left the spare car key in the back seat of your vehicle, whether you're at a gas station, grocery store, or just returning home from work. Luckily, there are a few ways to replace your keys without having to pay the dealership or a locksmith.
If you have a traditional key, like a regular double-edged car key, you are able to go to a local hardware store and get a replacement for less than $10. However, you will have to provide proof of ownership, like the registration of your vehicle or the title. If you have a technologically advanced key, like an electronic remote fob or smart key, it might be more difficult to replace. You might have to contact a local locksmith or the manufacturer to get a new key made.
The majority of modern vehicles have transponder keys that need to be programmed using the vehicle's computer. Locksmiths can do this for you, but it will be more expensive than replacing a traditional key. You can also try to reset your key by following the directions in the owner's manual but this can be difficult and time-consuming, and it isn't always successful.
If you have a designated spot to keep your keys, you can reduce the chances of them getting lost. You can put an empty bowl or key holder on a table close to your door. It is always a good idea to keep a key ring with you so you know where your keys will be. You can also tidy up your home or office space since a messy home could increase the likelihood that you'll lose things. Be aware that even if your keys aren't lost, you may forget them. In case of an emergency, it's important to prepare a backup plan. It's always better to be prepared rather than stuck on the side of the highway!
3. Contact toll-free Towing Service
If you are the type of person who frequently loses your car keys it is an excellent idea to have an extra. These are easy to store and are inexpensive, and will save you a great deal of stress in the future. A lot of newer cars have safety features that make it difficult to lock yourself out. Check out the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a car with this feature, or think about upgrading your vehicle to one with this feature.
There are several ways to replace your car key however the exact procedure will vary based on the type of key and the way it was lost. If you have a traditional key that is not digitally programmed, locksmiths can replace it. A smart key can make the process more difficult. The dealer will need to run your VIN and provide proof of ownership for a replacement key, which could take several weeks.
Car rental companies usually do not keep spare keys in their facilities However, they'll often collaborate with you to get 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 coverage.
If your rental company can't assist you, or if you don't have their roadside emergency service plan, the next step is to call an towing service or locksmith. Both will get you back to your vehicle and on the road, but each have distinct advantages and disadvantages. It's important that you look into each option and keep the contact details of both companies on hand just in case. Don't lose your keys by all means. This means that you must always keep them in the same spot.
4. Call a Repair Shop
It is best to prepare when you lose your keys. In the past, misplacing your car keys or losing it was just a minor annoyance. Nowadays, this can be a major problem. The good thing is that if you're smart about it, getting the spare car key you need isn't as difficult and costly as it used to be.
You'll first need to identify the type of key your vehicle uses. Keys made of traditional design, which have an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition cylinder are usually easy to replace. A standard key without a chip will cost between $10 and $12. But, newer cars use keys with built-in security chips that must be reprogrammed by the car in order to open the doors or start it. Getting the keys replaced could cost up to $200.
The chips can be reprogrammed at your local dealership however, the process is a bit complicated and requires specialized equipment. A locksmith may also be able perform this task, but it's important to find one who has the necessary skills and experience.
Another option is to visit a key cutting shop, such as AutoZone where a staff member will pick up a working key and trace its contours. This way, they'll be able to cut an entirely new key that is in line with the original key's cuts. The only drawback is that you will not be able drive your vehicle until the new key is cut and programmed.
If you'd like to test this method out, you will require your driver's license as well as proof of ownership. A dealer or locksmith can decode the VIN number on these documents to find the code needed to connect a brand new key to 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 include instructions on how to do this in their owner's manual. Alternatively, you can simply look up "How to program a (your year model, make and year) key" online.