How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys can be very stressful. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to get them replaced.
Find them first by yourself. Examine your bags, pockets and even the whole house.
Before you go to the dealership or a locksmith, make sure to have proof of ownership such as your car registration or title. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
A spare car key is a good idea, since losing your car keys could be very costly and stressful. There are still a variety of ways to obtain a spare key for your vehicle, even though it's not as easy as it was before.
Contacting the dealership is the easiest method to obtain a replacement key. Dealerships keep a record of the security information for every vehicle, and they can find yours quickly in their database. They will need to create you a key and pair it to your car. It could cost between $200 and $500 based on the location, the dealership and the make of your vehicle.
A locksmith can also create you an ordinary-sized key. This is cheaper than visiting a dealership particularly if your vehicle is older and doesn't come with an advanced key. Make sure to check your warranty, insurance policy or auto club membership for details on how to pay.
Most of today's cars use a sophisticated key that is more expensive to replace than a conventional key. They have a transponder chip that communicates with the vehicle's systems to unlock and start the engine. If you lose your smart keys, they'll have to be linked to your vehicle. This is only done by the dealership.
It's important to remember that if your vehicle is on lease, the dealer may require you to turn in two sets of keys and key fobs after the lease expires. If this is the case, you need to have a spare set and make sure you have it when your lease ends.
It's more expensive to get a spare key, but it's still worth it if you want to avoid the hassle of costly repairs in the near future. It's always better to be prepared in case you have a problem, so make sure you keep a spare in a secure location and know what to do if you ever lose your car keys.
2. Contact a locksmith
It's no secret losing your keys to your car is a hassle. Whether you're at the gas station, grocery store or on your way home from work, it can be very painful to discover that you've left your spare key in the back of your car! There are several ways to replace your keys without having to pay for the locksmith or the dealership.
If you have an old key, like a double-edged type or a double-edged key, you can purchase a new one at your local hardware store for less than $10. You'll need to provide proof of ownership such as the registration or title for your vehicle. If you own a more technologically advanced key, such as a remote fob or a smart key, it could be more difficult to replace. You may have to call an emergency locksmith in your area or the manufacturer to have a new key made.
Transponder keys are utilized in the majority of modern automobiles. They must be programmed into the computer of the vehicle. This can be done by a locksmith, however it will cost more than replacing the standard key. You can also reset your key using the instructions found in your owner's manual. However, car key spare near me could be time-consuming and complex and might not always work.
If you have a designated area to keep your keys, you will reduce the chance of them being lost. You can put an empty bowl or key holder on a table close to your door. You can 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 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 might forget them. In the event of an emergency, it's important to create an emergency plan. It's always better to be prepared rather than being stuck on the side of the road!
3. Call for a Towing Service
It is a good idea to keep an extra set of keys in case you have a problem with losing your car keys frequently. They're easy to store and are inexpensive and can save you a lot of stress in the future. Many of the latest vehicles come with security features that make it difficult to lock yourself out. Take a look at the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle with this feature, or think about upgrading your current vehicle to one with this feature.
There are several ways to replace your car key but the details will vary based on the type of key and how it was misplaced. For instance, if you have an old-fashioned key that's not digitally programmed, locksmiths will be able to replace it easily. A smart key could make the process more complicated. The dealer must examine the VIN and provide proof of ownership to obtain an alternative key for you and it could take a few days.
Car rental companies usually don't keep spare keys on their premises However, they'll often assist you in getting the problem resolved. Hertz provides a lost-key service as part its premium roadside assistance plan. The service is not available if you do not purchase additional roadside protection.
If you can't get assistance from your rental company, or if you don't have an emergency roadside assistance plan with them you'll need to contact a locksmith or a towing service. Both will help you get back to your vehicle and on the roads, but they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is essential to research each option before selecting a provider, and to store the contact information for both on hand in case you ever need them. Also, make sure you avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means you should always put them in the same location.
4. Contact a Repair Shop
It's best to plan ahead in case you lose your keys. It wasn't so long ago that misplacing or losing your keys was an inconvenience, but now it can actually be a big problem. If you're intelligent, it's not nearly as difficult or expensive to get a spare key as it was.
The first thing you'll need to determine the kind of key your car has. Keys that are traditional, having the mechanical shank that goes into the ignition cylinder, are usually easy to replace. A basic key without a chip will cost between $10 to $12. The most recent vehicles come with keys that have security chips built in that must be programmed to unlock doors or to start the vehicle. Getting an alternative key can cost upwards of $200.
The process of programming these chips is a complex process and requires the use of specialized equipment. A locksmith might also be able to perform this task but it's crucial to find a locksmith who has the right experience and tools.
Another option is to go to a key cutting shop like AutoZone, where an associate will pick up a working key and trace its contours. The key cutting shop will be able to cut a key that matches the original's cuts. The only drawback is that you won't be able to drive your vehicle until you've had the new key cut and programmed to your vehicle.
If you'd like to test this method you'll require your driver's license as well as proof of ownership. A locksmith or dealer will be able to decode the VIN on these documents to locate the code required to pair your key with your vehicle.
You can also reduce the cost of programming by purchasing an entirely new key created and then attempting to reset it yourself. Most manufacturers will have instructions on how to do this in their owner's manual. Or, you can simply look up "How to program a (your year model, year, and make) key" online.