How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys can be very stressful. There are a variety of ways to replace keys.
The first step is to locate them yourself. Examine your bags, pockets and even the whole house.
Make sure to bring proof of ownership before visiting a dealership or locksmith. This could be your car's title or registration. 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 expensive and stressful. While it's not as easy as it was in the past to find a spare car key, there are many ways to still obtain one.
Contacting the dealership is the easiest method to obtain a replacement key. Dealerships keep a record of security details for each vehicle and are able to quickly locate yours in their system. They will have to make you a key and pair it with your car. It could cost between $200 and $500 based on the location, dealership and make of your car.
Another option is to have a locksmith create you a standard key. This is a cheaper alternative to going to the dealer, especially if you have an older car which doesn't come with an advanced key. Make sure to check your warranty or insurance policy, or your auto club membership for payment.
The majority of cars today utilize an expensive, sophisticated key that is difficult to replace. These keys contain transponders that communicate with the system of the vehicle for unlocking and start the car. If spare car key cost lose your smart keys, they will need to be linked to your vehicle. This is only possible through the dealership.
If your car is leased, the dealer might require that you return two sets of keys or key fobs by the expiration of the lease. If this is the case, it's important to have a spare key and ensure that you have it before the lease ends.
It's more expensive to get an extra key, but it is still worth it if you wish to avoid the hassle of costly repairs in the near future. It is always advisable to be prepared before you face a problem so make sure to keep your spare keys in a safe place and be aware of what to do in the event that you should lose your car keys.
2. Contact a Locksmith
It's not a secret that losing car keys can be a nightmare. Whether you're at the gas station, grocery store, or on the return from work it can be extremely painful to discover that you have left your spare key in the back seat of your car! There are a few ways to get your keys replaced without having to pay the locksmith or the dealership.
If you have an old lock, like a double-edged one, you can get a new one at your local hardware store for less than $10. You will need to show evidence of ownership, such as the title or registration for your vehicle. If you have a more technologically advanced key, for instance an electronic remote fob or smart key, it may be more difficult to replace. You may have to call an individual locksmith or the manufacturer to get an entirely new key.
Transponder keys are used in a majority of modern vehicles. These keys must be programmed into the car's computer. Locksmiths can do this for you however, it's more expensive than simply replacing the traditional key. You can also reset your key following the steps in your owner's manual, however, this is difficult and time-consuming, and it won't always work.
You can reduce your chances of losing your keys in the first place by having a specific location to store them. You can put an empty bowl or key holder on a table near your door. It is always a good idea to keep a key ring around with you to know where your keys will be. You can also attempt to declutter your home or office since a messy office can make it easier to lose things! Be aware that even if you are not prone to losing your keys, it's still possible that you'll forget they are there! It's crucial to have an emergency plan in case this happens. It's better to be prepared rather than be stranded on the side of the road!
3. Contact a Towing Service
If you are the type of person who regularly loses your car keys it is an excellent idea to have a spare. 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 security features that make it harder to gain access to the vehicle. Check out the new inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle that has this feature, or think about upgrading your car to one with it.
There are a variety of ways to get your car keys replaced, the specifics will depend on what type of key you have and how it was lost. If you have a conventional, non-digitally programmed key, a locksmith can replace it. If you have a digital key however, this could be a much more involved procedure. The dealer must verify your VIN and provide proof of ownership for an alternative key, which can take a few weeks.
Car rental companies generally do not keep spare keys in their facilities However, they'll often assist you in getting the problem resolved. Hertz provides a lost-key service as part its premium roadside support plan. This service is not available if you do not purchase additional roadside protection.
If your rental company is unable to help you, or you don't have their emergency roadside service plan, the next option is to call a towing service or locksmith. Both can allow you to get back in your car and back on the roads, but they each have distinct advantages and disadvantages. It is essential to research both options before choosing a provider, and to keep the contact details for both on hand in case you need them. Also, try to avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means putting them in the same place each time and not leaving them in the pocket of your coat or on top of your car when parking.
4. Contact a Repair Shop
It is best to plan ahead in case you lose your keys. In the past, losing your car keys or losing it was a minor issue. Today, this can be a major issue. If you're intelligent, it's not nearly as difficult or expensive to find a spare key like it was in the past.
You'll first need to determine the type of key your vehicle is using. The traditional keys with a mechanical shank which inserts into the ignition are easy to replace. A basic key that does not have chip can cost between $10 to $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. Replacement keys for these cars can cost up to $200.
The process of reprogramming these chips is complex and requires special equipment. A locksmith may also be able to provide this procedure however it is important to find a locksmith who has the right experience and tools.
Another option is to go to a key cutting shop like AutoZone where a staff member will take a working key and trace its contours. The key cutting shop will then be able to cut a key that matches the original's cut. The only downside is that you won't be able to drive your vehicle until you have the new key cut and programmable to the vehicle.
If you'd like to try this method you'll require a driver's license and evidence of ownership. A locksmith or dealer will be able to decode the VIN on these documents in order to determine the key code needed to pair your key with your car.
You can also lower the cost of programming by getting a new key and then attempting to reset it yourself. The instructions are available in the owner's manual or online.