Lost Spare Car Key? Here’s What to Do

In the past, losing your car keys was not a big deal. You’d contact your local locksmith, and they’d make a new one for you.

Today, it’s a lot more complicated. It’s all dependent on the type of key you have and whether you’ve lost your spare. Here are a few tips to help you locate your car keys.

Retract your Steps

Sometimes, we forget things. You may be running a quick errand and you’ve forgotten to hang your keys in the entryway. Or you might be coming home from a long workday and throw them on the couch. It’s frustrating to lose your spare key.

The first thing you have to do is take a deep breathe and try not to panic. You’ll still be able to find your keys if search for them with enough effort. It is also important to have a backup plan, such as calling an auto locksmith.

Once you’ve gotten your head in order and gained control over your emotions, it’s time to start looking for your keys. One of the best ways to retrace your steps is by thinking back on the last time you were able to see them. It’s easier than you might think, replacing particularly if can close your eyes and visualize the location where you last was able to see them.

Once you’ve thought about the last time you saw them, begin looking at each of the possible places they could be. Include your home, car and any other popular areas you’ve visited throughout the daytime. You could ask your family or friends to help you search. This will help you see more!

If you’re in the car, check the driver’s side door handle and the center console for any indications of an extra key. Examine any pockets or bags that you’ve carried with you during the day. Examine all compartments in your car. It’s not uncommon for keys to become “lost” within.

Check Your Hideouts

However careful you are in your vehicle, replacing keys to your car are always a little tricky to keep on top of. It’s one of the most common items to lose and can become a nightmare if aren’t careful. If you’ve lost your car keys, there are some things to do prior to contacting a locksmith.

It’s worth checking the place you typically keep your keys prior to looking for them. If you have a keyholder near the door or the key bowl is on a table, check those areas first. It’s also a good idea to ask other people who are in the vicinity, for instance, a store worker or a customer. They might have spotted your keys during your shopping trip or may have spotted them while they were cleaning up.

Some people hide their spare keys in their car, and this may be a convenient option. However, if your vehicle has an hood that can be opened externally, it’s essential to make sure that the spare key is kept in a safe spot that won’t get crushed when the hood is closed. Mini-vaults and magnetic boxes can be affixed to your car to keep your keys secure and easily accessible.

You can also place the spare car key into the tailpipe of your car however this isn’t very discreet and could be difficult to use. You might also notice that the tailpipe is covered with mud, snow or ice, making it difficult to locate the key.

Behind the tires is a different location where people keep their keys. This can be a simple and effective method to keep your keys hidden, but it’s important to remember that the tires of your car are visible regardless of what you’re wearing. Therefore, this method isn’t recommended if you’re wearing shorts or skirts.

It’s also possible to leave your spare car key with an individual who is a trusted family member, especially if you’re traveling and do not want to lose it in the process. However, if you have a proximity key, you should be careful about leaving it with strangers as some thieves could utilize signal relays and amplifier technology to snoop on the signal from your key fob and unlock the car even when the key is a long distance away.

Look Inside Your Car

It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact location where you could lose something such as a key fob, and this isn’t an exception. It’s therefore advisable to look everywhere. It’s important to go back to the spot where you first used it, and retrace your steps and get in touch with owners or employees at the places you may have lost it.

If you believe that you have left your keys in the car, it’s worth checking. Check the glove compartment which is a popular location to store the spare keys for your car. Also, look for the area underneath the front seats and the mysterious black hole in the car that can swallow small items like keys.

You should also make sure to check your backpacks and purses for any items you have with you that could be hiding a lost car key. You must carefully search through all compartments and pockets of your purse or backpack. Look for zippered areas, and then remove items like makeup and sunglasses from your bag to see what’s under.

If you’ve tried all of these steps but you’re still unable to find your car keys, it’s time to contact locksmith. They can assist you in replacing lost keys to your car and get you back on the road in the shortest amount of time.

You can avoid this situation by having an extra car key. But you should also include a Bluetooth tracker to your keys to make it easier to keep track of them. These tiny devices are attached to your keys and emit a unique signature. It is then possible to connect them to your smartphone to keep track of their position throughout the day.

Another option is to contact your dealership and ask them to make a new car key for you. Since they already have the security information for your vehicle they’ll be able to do this quickly. If you own a smart vehicle however, it might be more challenging as they’ll need to pair the new key to your vehicle, which may take a bit longer. This is why it’s important to have a backup car key!

Contact a locksmith

If you’re unable to find your car keys in an unlikely scenario, it is imperative that you contact a locksmith right away. This will not only help you to get into your car, but it will also ensure that nobody else has access. If you do not notify the lost key fob right away, it could lead to more issues later on for instance, an impersonation attempt by someone else.

The majority of modern vehicles require an electronic key fob to unlock and operate the vehicle. If you have lost your key fob, it is essential to have a spare to prevent having to have the car taken to the dealer and then having to pay for a new set of keys.

A locksmith can design an entirely new key for your vehicle without knowing the exact specifics of the security system. They can also disable the old key to ensure that it can’t be used again. If you’re unsure the type of key your vehicle requires the locksmith can typically tell you from the information on your title or registration.

To prevent your spare keys from being lost, it’s best to keep your keys in a safe location away from your keychain. This will make it much less likely that you’ll accidentally drop your keys or that they escape from your pocket.

You can also prevent the loss of an extra car key by jotting down your vehicle identification (VIN) number and keeping it on your person. This is a unique code that helps identify your car and is located on the dashboard of the driver’s side, door jamb, or the frame of your vehicle.

A locksmith near you can assist you in getting back on course, whether you want to replace your spare car key or decrease the chance that it could be i lost the keys to my car. It is also less expensive than going through a dealership, and you may be able to get the spare key created on-site.