Half a century ago the problem with lost car keys could have been solved easily – you could unlock the doors with some metal stick and that’s it. Yet, today technological advancements make huge leaps and improve your own safety. This means that if you today lose your car keys, you might get in a complex problematic situation. Now everything depends on the type of car you have, the type of key there was, and the knowledge you have. While the first two points you choose, with the last one we’re aiming to help you in this article. Learn about ways out of lost car keys situation beforehand. In case you are already in one, you can contact an auto locksmith via HireRush by clicking the button below.
3 types of lost car keys
Transponder key
These keys are common in fairly modern cars and they are frequently coupled with a keyless entry remote. Most cars produced after the 90s have transponder keys. These keys take communication between the key and the vehicle to the next level and provide higher overall car security. While it’s great that vehicles with transponder keys provide higher security level, they usually become a huge problem in case of lost car keys situations. Usually, you should have another spare at home because vehicles are sold with two keys in a set. Otherwise you’ll have to contact your official dealer.
Keyless entry remote
If your car was manufactured within the past 10 years, then there is a huge possibility that you have only keyless entry remote. With the problem of lost car keys in the form of remote, you get into long and complex process of their replacement. Keys in the form of regular keys have the advantage of relatively easy replacement, while keyless remotes require a lot of paperwork in the first place. Furthermore, as every key is matched to the particular car, production of the new one takes a lot of time and efforts. So if you have keyless entry remote, guard it with your life!
Traditional car keys
These old and faithful keys have been around for many years and they are significantly easier to replace or duplicate when needed. While offering less security to a car in general, they are the sacred grail if you lose them. Traditional car keys are not connected to any vehicle electronics, so all your auto locksmith will have to do is match the new keys to the existing lock. For a professional it makes no trouble, so usually you will be able to get the new car keys within a day, maximum two.
Lost car keys with no spare?
Whether you like it or not, there will be at least one episode of a problem with lost car keys and no spare. The loud question in this case is what to do and how to survive such a hell? Below you can find some guidance on how to react in this situation. Don’t consider it as an ultimate guide; let it be mere advice for you.
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Identify your lost car keys
First of all, you need to identify the type of key you have. You’ve read above about the three main car keys types, so now you should be able to do so. Now you know the scope of the problem so can dive into the further course of actions.
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Search the area immediately
Very often you’ll be able to find those lost car keys around the car or somewhere in your home, maybe in another bag. Whatever places you usually put the keys to should be searched before you start panicking. The important point here is not to stay calm! The more stressed you get, the more stupid and useless actions you will make, and as a result the deeper in the ground or snow you can get your lost car keys, for instance.
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Check the vehicle
If your lost car keys are nowhere to be found in usual places, then you need to check the vehicle – there is a great chance you just locked them inside. So if you see your keys locked inside, then you can breathe out and not worry about looking for a spare. All you need is call a locksmith and explain the situation. It would be goo in this case if you could show a proof that this is your car so that the expert can open it for you immediately.
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Gather the vehicle information
In order for a locksmith or your dealership representative to open the car and get your lost car keys out of it or start making a replacement key, you will have to show the proof that the car is yours. As a proof you can usually show just registration certificate with your name on it. Of course, don’t forget to show your id too.
Should the keys be not inside the car and you are absolutely sure that you need to make a new pair instead of the lost ones, then you will need to provide every available bit of information about your car. Start from taking the package of documents you received when bought the car. This will give you information about the vehicle identification number (VIN), make and year of a car. In case this package is also locked inside of the car, then you can call your insurance company and request the same info (they usually ask for it when legalizing your insurance coverage).
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Dealer or a locksmith
When the lost car keys require replacement, you will have to work either with a dealer or an auto locksmith. For older cars with traditional keys, it’s much easier, faster, and cheaper to call a locksmith. Should you have a new car, communication with your dealer might be inevitable because the key must be properly programmed to work for your car and, unfortunately, not all locksmiths know who to tackle them. Yet when you find yourself in this kind of situation, look for a locksmith first, then call the dealer. But make sure that you check locksmith credentials beforehand and also discuss the situation at least in general terms via the phone. This will save you waiting time in case the expert can’t do the job.
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Make a spare
And the last tip is to make a spare key for the case if you lose car keys again. This one step ahead can save you a lot of time in the future because you never know what the future brings!
