How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your keys to your car can be a stressful experience. Luckily, there are a variety of methods to replace them.
Begin by locating them yourself. Examine your bags, pockets and even the whole home.
Make sure you bring proof of ownership before you visit a dealership or locksmith. This could be your vehicle's registration or title. This will save you some money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
The idea of having a spare car key is a good idea, since losing your car keys can be extremely costly and stressful. There are still several methods to obtain a spare key for your car, even it's not as straightforward as before.
Contacting the dealership is the most efficient way to obtain a spare key. Dealerships maintain records of security information for each vehicle and can quickly find your keys in their system. However, they'll need to make the key for you and pair it with your vehicle. The cost can range from $200 and $500 depending on your location and the dealership you choose, and the make of your vehicle.
Another alternative is to have a locksmith design you the standard key. This can be cheaper than going to the dealer, especially if your car is older and doesn't have a more advanced key. It's also important to verify your car's warranty, insurance policy or auto club membership to determine 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. The keys are equipped with 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 paired with your vehicle, which is only possible at the dealership.
If your vehicle is leased, the dealer may ask you to return two sets of keys or key fobs at expiration of the lease. It is important to have a second set of keys and key fobs in the event that this happens.
The cost of a spare car key is more expensive than it was in the past but it's worth it to prevent the stress and costly repairs in the future. It is always advisable to be prepared in case you encounter a problem, so ensure you keep your spare keys in a safe place and know what to do if you lose your car keys.
2. Contact a locksmith
It's no secret that losing keys to your car can be an enormous headache for the neck. When you're at the 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 seat of your car! There are several ways to replace your keys without paying an auto dealer or locksmith.
If you have an old key, like a double-edged type you can purchase an alternative one at your local hardware store for less than $10. But, you'll require proof of ownership, such as the registration of your vehicle or the title. If you own a more technologically advanced key, for instance a remote fob or smart key, it could be harder to replace. It is possible to contact your local locksmith, or the manufacturer to have a new one designed for you.
Transponder keys are found in the majority of modern automobiles. They have to be programmed into the car's computer. This can be accomplished by a locksmith, but is more expensive than replacing a standard key. You can reset your key by following the instructions found in your owner's manual. However, this could be time-consuming and difficult and might not always work.
You can lower the risk of losing your keys by having a dedicated place to put them. You can hang a key holder near your door, or put them in the form of a bowl on tables. read this post here can also keep a key ring on your person at all times to ensure you are always aware of where your keys are. It is also possible to tidy up your home or office because a messy area can make it more likely to lose items. Remember that even if you are not the type to lose your keys, it's still possible that you could lose the keys! In case of an emergency, it's essential to create a backup plan. It's always better to be prepared rather than being stuck on the side of the highway!
3. Contact a Towing Service
It's a good idea to have an extra set of keys if you are someone who loses their car keys frequently. They're easy to store and are inexpensive and will spare you a lot of stress in future. A lot of newer cars have safety features that make it harder to gain access to the vehicle. Check out the new inventory at Longo Toyota to find a car with this feature, or think about upgrading your current vehicle to one with this feature.
There are several ways to replace your car keys, but the specifics will differ based on the type of key and the manner in which it was lost. If you own a traditional, non-digitally programmed key, locksmiths can replace it. A smart key could make the process more complicated. The dealer will need to check your VIN and provide proof ownership to get you a new key, which can take a few weeks.
Most car rental companies do not keep spare keys in their facilities however they will help you resolve the problem. Hertz offers a lost-key assistance as part its premium roadside support plan. This service is not offered if you do not purchase additional roadside coverage.
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 will allow you to get back to your vehicle and on the road, but each have distinct advantages and disadvantages. It is important to study both options before choosing a provider, and to keep the contact details for both on hand in case you ever need them. Also, try to avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means you should always keep them in the same spot.
4. Call an Repair Shop
It's best to plan ahead in case you lose your keys. It wasn't long ago that losing your keys was an inconvenience, but now it can actually be a big problem. The good thing is that if you're aware of it, getting a spare car key isn't nearly as difficult and costly as it was in the past.
You'll first need to determine the type of key your vehicle is using. The keys that have a mechanical shank which inserts into the ignition are easy to replace. A basic key that does not have a chip will cost around $10-$12. However, modern automobiles use keys with built-in security chips that have to be programmed into the car in order to unlock the doors or start it. Getting an alternative key can cost as much as $200.
The chips can be reprogrammed at your local dealer, but the process is complicated and requires special equipment. This service can also be done by a locksmith, however you must ensure that they have the right equipment and expertise.
Another option is to go to a key cutting shop, such as AutoZone, where an associate will use a key that is working 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 is that you won't be able to drive your vehicle until you've had the new key cut and programmed to the vehicle.
If you want to try this method, make sure you bring the actual working key along with your driver's license and evidence of ownership. A locksmith or dealer will be able to decode the VIN on these documents in order to find the code needed to pair your key with your vehicle.
You can also cut down on the cost of programming by having an entirely new key cut, then attempting to reset it yourself. You can find the instructions in the owner's guide or online.