How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys could be extremely stressful. There are many ways you can replace them.
Find them first with your own eyes. Look in your bags, pockets and the entire home.
Before visiting the locksmith or dealership, make sure to have evidence of ownership, such as your vehicle registration or title. This will help you save money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It's beneficial to have an extra key for your car, as losing them can be expensive and stressful. While it isn't as easy as it once was to get a spare car key, there are a variety of ways to obtain one.
Contacting the dealership is the most efficient method to obtain a replacement key. Dealerships have a record of the security details for each vehicle and will locate your car key quickly within their database. They will however need to make the key for you as well as connect it to your vehicle. This can cost anywhere from $200 to $500, depending on the location, the dealership and make of your car.
Another option is to have a locksmith create you a standard key. This is a cheaper alternative to visiting the dealer, particularly if you have 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 determine if they will pay for the replacement of your key fob.
Most of today's cars use a sophisticated key, which is more expensive to replace than a traditional key. These keys have a transponder chip on them that communicates with the vehicle's systems to unlock and start the engine. If you lose your smart keys, they'll need to be linked to your vehicle. This can only be done by the dealership.
It is important to remember that if your vehicle is under lease, the dealer might require you to surrender two sets of keys and key fobs when the lease is up. If this is the case, it's crucial to have a spare set and ensure you have it before your lease ends.
Getting a spare car key is more expensive than it was in the past, but it's still worth it to avoid anxiety and costly repairs in the future. It's always better to be prepared before you have a problem, so ensure you keep your spare keys in a secure location and know what to do if you ever lose your car keys.
2. Contact an expert locksmith
It's no secret that losing your car keys can be a nightmare. It can be frustrating to discover that you've forgotten your spare car keys in the back of your vehicle, no matter if you're at a gas station or a grocery store on your way home after work. There are a few ways to replace your keys without having to pay for the locksmith or dealership.
If you have an old lock, like a double-edged type you can purchase an alternative one at your local hardware store for less than $10. But, you'll require evidence of ownership, like the vehicle registration or title. If you have a technologically advanced key, such as a remote fob or smart key, it could be harder to replace. You might need to contact your local locksmith or the manufacturer to have a new key designed for you.
Transponder keys are used in most modern automobiles. These keys must be programmed into the car's computer. Locksmiths can help you do this however it is more expensive than replacing a traditional key. You could also try to reset your key following the instructions in the owner's manual, however, it can be difficult and time-consuming, and it won't always work.
If you have a designated spot to store your keys you can reduce the chances of them being lost. You can place a bowl or a key holder on a table close to your door. You can keep a key ring on you at all times, so you are always aware of where your keys are. You can also declutter your home or office space because a messy area is a higher risk that you will lose things. Just remember that even if spare car key replacement cost 're not prone to losing your keys, it's still possible to lose the keys! It's crucial to have an emergency plan in case this happens. It's better to be prepared than be stuck at the side of the road!
3. Call for a Towing Service
If you're the kind of person who is constantly losing your car keys, it's an excellent idea to have an extra. They're easy to store and are inexpensive and will spare you a lot of stress in the future. Many of the latest vehicles come with safety features that make it more difficult to lock yourself out. Take a look at the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle that has this feature, or think about changing your vehicle to one that has it.
There are a variety of ways to get your car keys replaced, the exact procedure will depend on the kind of key you own and how it was lost. For instance, if have a traditional key that isn't digitally programmed, locksmiths is likely to be able replace it easily. A smart key could make the process more difficult. The dealer must run your VIN and provide proof of ownership to get you a new key, which can take several weeks.
Car rental companies generally don't keep spare keys on their premises however, they'll usually work with you to get the issue resolved. Hertz offers a lost-key assistance as part of its premium roadside support plan. This service is not available if you don't purchase additional roadside protection.
If your rental company can't help you, or you don't have their emergency roadside service plan, your next option is to call a locksmith or towing service. Both will allow you to get back in your car and on the road, but each have advantages and disadvantages of their own. It's important to research the options before settling on a provider, and to keep the contact information for both in case you ever require them. Also, try to avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means you should always keep them in the same spot.
4. Contact an Repair Shop
If you've lost your car keys, it's always better to have a strategy for how to get back in your vehicle. In the past, misplacing your car keys or losing it was a minor issue. Today, this can be a major issue. The good thing is that if you're clever about it, obtaining the spare car key you need isn't nearly as difficult and expensive as it used to be.
The first thing you'll need to identify the type of key your vehicle has. Keys made of traditional design, which have a mechanical shank that inserts into the ignition cylinder, are usually easy to replace. A basic key without chip can cost between $10 and $12. The most recent vehicles come with keys that have security chips built into them that need to be programmed to unlock doors or start the car. Getting the keys replaced could cost up to $200.
These chips can be reprogrammed at a local dealership however, the process is complex and requires specialized equipment. This service can also be performed by a locksmith, however you should make sure that they have the right tools and experience.
A key cutting shop such as AutoZone can also be utilized. A worker will trace the contours of an operational key. This way they'll be able to cut an entirely new key that is in line with the cut of the original key. The only downside is that you won't be allowed to drive your car until you have the new key cut and programmed to the vehicle.
If you're considering trying this method, make sure you bring the working key together with your driver's licence and proof of ownership. A locksmith or dealer can decode the VIN number on these documents to determine the code needed to pair a new key with your vehicle.
You can also save money on the programming costs by having a new key cut and then attempting to reset it yourself. Most manufacturers will have instructions on how to do this in their owner's manual. Alternatively, you can simply look up "How to program a (your year, make and model) key" online.