How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your keys to your car could be a very stressful experience. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to get them replaced.
Begin by locating them yourself. Check your pockets, bags and the entire home.
Make sure to bring proof of ownership before you visit a dealership or a 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 an extra 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 though it's not as easy as it was in the past.
Contacting the dealership is the easiest 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'll need to make you a key and connect it to your car. This could cost anything between $200 and $500 based on the location, dealer and model of your car.
Another option is to have a locksmith create you the standard key. This is less expensive than going to the dealer particularly if your vehicle is older and doesn't have an upgraded key. Make replacing car keys without spare to check your warranty, insurance policy or auto club membership for details on how to pay.
Most of today's cars utilize a high-tech key that is more expensive to replace than a standard key. They have a transponder that communicates with the system of the vehicle in order to unlock and start the vehicle. If you lose your smart key, it'll need to be connected to your vehicle, which can only be done at the dealership.
If your car is leased, the dealer might require that you return two sets of keys or key fobs at the expiration of the lease. If this is the case, it's crucial to have a spare key and make sure you have it when your lease is up.
It's more costly to buy a spare key, however it's worth it if you want to save yourself from stress and expensive repairs in the future. It's always better to be prepared before you have 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 no secret that losing keys to your car can be an absolute pain in the neck. If you're at a gas station, the grocery store, or on your way home from work it can be extremely painful to discover that you've forgotten your spare key in the back of your car! There are a variety of ways to replace your keys, without having to pay an expensive locksmith or dealership.
If you own a traditional key, like a regular double-edged car key, you can go to your local hardware store and purchase an alternative for less than $10. You'll need evidence of ownership, such as the registration or title for your vehicle. If you have a more technologically advanced key, such as an electronic remote fob or smart key, it could be more difficult to replace. You may need to call your local locksmith or even the manufacturer to have a replacement designed for you.
Transponder keys are used in most modern automobiles. These keys must be programmed into the car's computer. This can be done by a locksmith, however it is more expensive than replacing a standard key. You can reset your key following the instructions provided in your owner's manual. However, this could be lengthy and complicated and might not always work.
You can reduce your chances of losing your keys by having a specific space to keep them. You can hang a key holder near your door or put them in a bowl on the table. It is always a good idea to keep a key ring close to you to know where your keys will be. You can also tidy up your home or office space, as a messy space could increase the likelihood that you will lose things. Keep in mind that even if the keys are never lost, you could forget them. It's essential to have a backup plan in the event that this occurs. It's always better to be prepared rather than stuck on the side of the highway!
3. Contact a Towing Service
If you are the type of person who frequently loses your car keys, it's recommended to purchase a spare. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to keep around, and they will save you a lot of anxiety in the near future. Many newer cars come with safety features which make it much more difficult to get locked out of the vehicle. This feature is available in the latest Longo Toyota inventory, or you can upgrade your vehicle.
While there are many ways to get your car keys replaced, the specifics will depend on the type of key you have and how it was lost. For instance, if you have an old-fashioned key that's not digitally programmed, locksmiths should be able to replace it quickly. A smart key could make the process more complicated. The dealer must run your VIN and provide proof ownership for a replacement key, which can take a few weeks.
The majority of car rental companies do not keep spare keys in their facilities, but will help you resolve the problem. Hertz, for example, does offer the service of locating keys as part of its roadside assistance plan. This service is not offered if you do not purchase additional roadside insurance.
If you are unable to get help from your rental company or if you don't have an emergency roadside assistance plan in place, you'll need to call a locksmith or a towing service. Both can allow you to get back to your vehicle and on the roads, but they each have distinct advantages and disadvantages. It's important to research both options before choosing a service, and also to keep the contact information for both in case you ever need them. Also, you should avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means that you must always put them in the same location.
4. Contact an Repair Shop
If you've lost your keys to your car, it's recommended to have a plan for getting back inside the vehicle. In the past, losing your car keys or losing it was a minor inconvenience. Nowadays, this can be a major issue. The good thing is that if you're clever about it, obtaining a spare car key isn't nearly as difficult and expensive as it used to be.
The first thing you'll have to determine the kind of key your car has. Keys that are traditional with an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition are simple to replace. A basic key that does not have a chip will cost around $10-$12. But, newer cars have keys that come with security chips that need to be reprogrammed by the car to open the doors or start it. Keys replacement for these vehicles can cost as much as $200.
These chips can be programmed at your local dealership however the process is complicated and requires special equipment. A locksmith may also be able perform this service however it is important to choose a locksmith with the proper skills and experience.
A key cutting shop like AutoZone can also be utilized. A worker will trace the contours of the 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 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 your driver's license as well as proof of ownership. A locksmith or dealer 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 save on the programming costs by having an entirely new key cut, then attempting to reset it yourself. The majority of manufacturers will provide instructions on how to do this in the owner's manual. Alternatively, you can simply look up "How to program a (your year, make and model) key" online.