How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your keys to your car can be a very stressful experience. There are a variety of ways to replace keys.
First, try to find them yourself. Examine your bags, pockets and even the whole home.
Make sure you bring proof of ownership with you before you visit a dealership or locksmith. This could be your vehicle registration or title. This will help you save money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
Having a spare car key is a great idea, as losing your car keys can be extremely costly and stressful. There are still several ways to get an extra key for your car, although it's not as simple as it was before.
The simplest way to obtain an extra car key is to contact the dealership. Dealerships keep a record of security information for each vehicle and will locate your car key quickly within their database. They'll need to make you a key, and then pair it to your car. It could cost from $200 to $500 depending on the location, the dealership and make of your car.
A locksmith can also create you an ordinary-sized key. This is a cheaper alternative to visiting the dealer, especially in the case of an older vehicle that doesn't have an advanced key. It is also advisable to check your car's warranty, car-insurance policy or auto club membership to see whether they'll pay for the replacement of your key fob.
The majority of cars today have a sophisticated, expensive key that is difficult to replace. These keys have a transponder chip that communicates with the vehicle's systems to allow the vehicle to start and unlock the engine. If you lose your smart keys, they'll have to be connected to your vehicle. This is only done by the dealership.
It's important to remember that if your car is on lease, the dealer could require you to turn in two sets of keys and key fobs when the lease expires. It is crucial to have a second set of keys and key fobs in case this happens.
It's more costly to buy an extra key, but it's worth it if you wish to save yourself from stress and costly repairs in the near future. It's always best to be prepared prior to when you encounter a problem, so ensure you keep a spare key in an area that is secure and know what to do if you should lose your car keys.
2. Call a locksmith
It's not a secret that losing your car keys can be a real discomfort to the neck. It can be very frustrating to discover that you've forgotten the spare car key in the backseat of your vehicle, whether you're at a gas station, grocery store, or returning home from work. There are a variety of ways to replace your keys, without having to pay an auto dealer or locksmith.
If you own a traditional key, such as a standard double-edged car key, you are able to visit your local hardware store to purchase a replacement for less than $10. You will need to show proof of ownership like the registration or title of your vehicle. If you have a technologically advanced key, like a remote fob or a smart key, it might be more difficult to replace. You might need to contact your local locksmith or even the manufacturer to have a new key designed for you.
Most modern vehicles use transponder keys that have to be programmed with the car's computer. A locksmith can do this for you however, it's more expensive than simply replacing an old key. You can reset your key following the instructions in your owner’s manual. However, this can be time-consuming and difficult and may not always work.
By having a designated place to store your keys, you can reduce the chances of them getting lost. You can place an empty bowl or key holder on a table close to your door. It is always a good idea to keep a key ring around with you to can know where your keys are going to be. It is also a good idea to organize your office or home since a messy office can make it easier to lose things! Remember that even if your keys aren't lost, you might lose them. It's essential to have an emergency plan in case this occurs. It's always better to be prepared rather than stranded on the side of the highway!
3. Contact toll-free Towing Service
It's a good idea to have an extra set of keys in case you have a problem with losing your car keys often. These are easy to store and cheap and can save you a lot of stress in the future. A lot of newer cars have security features that make it more difficult to get locked out of the vehicle. Check out the new inventory at Longo Toyota to find a car with this feature, or consider upgrading your vehicle to one that has it.
There are a variety of ways to get your car keys replaced, the details will depend on the kind of key you have and the way it was lost. For example, if you have an older key that isn't digitally programmed, locksmiths will be able to replace it quickly. A smart key can make the process more difficult. The dealer must check your VIN and provide proof ownership for an alternative key, which can take several weeks.
Car rental companies generally don't keep spare keys in their facilities, but they will often collaborate with you to get the problem resolved. Hertz, for example offers the option of losing keys as part of its roadside assistance plan. However this service isn't provided if you don't purchase additional roadside protection coverage.
If you're unable to receive assistance from your rental company or in the event that you don't have an emergency roadside assistance plan in place then you'll have to call a locksmith or a towing service. Both will help you get back in your car and on the road, but each have advantages and disadvantages of their own. It is important to research both options and keep contact details of both companies available in case of emergency. Be sure to keep your keys safe by every means. This means that you must always put them in the same spot.
4. Contact a Repair Shop
It's best to plan ahead in case you lose your keys. It wasn't so long ago that misplacing or losing your keys was an inconvenience, but now it's often a big problem. The good news is that if you're smart about it, getting an extra car key isn't nearly as difficult and costly as it used to be.
You'll first need to identify the type of key that your vehicle is using. Traditional keys, with just an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition cylinder are generally simple to replace. G28 Car Keys without a chip will cost between $10 to $12. However, more recent cars have keys that come with security chips that have to be reprogrammed to the car to open the doors or start it. Finding an alternative key can cost as much as $200.
These chips can be programmed at a local dealership, but the process is a bit complicated and requires special equipment. This process can also be done by a locksmith, however you should make sure that they are equipped with the proper tools and know-how.
Another option is to visit a key cutting shop, such as AutoZone where an associate will take 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 cut. The only downside to this 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're considering trying this method, make sure you bring the actual working key together with your driver's licence and evidence of ownership. A dealer or locksmith can decode the VIN number on these documents to find the code that's needed to connect a new key to your vehicle.
You can also save on the cost of programming by having a an entirely new key cut, then trying to reset it yourself. Most manufacturers will have instructions on how to do this in their owner's manual. Alternatively, you can simply search for "How to program a (your year model, year, and make) key" online.