10 Healthy Lost Car Key Habits
How to Recover a Lost Car Key
Losing your car keys can be a stressful experience. It is important to remain calm and try to keep in mind that losing your car keys aren't an issue.
Key fobs that are modern are smarter than traditional keys that only opened doors and switched on the ignition. You should know what to do in the event that you lose yours to avoid paying a large replacement cost.
Retract Your Steps
Lost car keys can be a major headache for any driver. Fortunately, there are many ways you can recover your keys.
The first thing you should do is retrace your steps. This simple trick can be very helpful in locating keys lost. You might have dropped keys in a hurry, and forgot about them. The process of retracing your steps can help you remember where you were when you last saw them. Also, you should check any places you've visited recently, even if you don't usually keep your keys there. It's quite possible that your keys got tossed out of a pocket or bag and are hidden somewhere you wouldn't expect.
Trackers are a great method to locate keys that have gone missing. This device is small and can be attached to your keys. Then, you can make use of an app to locate them. This is only possible if you have electronic components within your keys, such as remote key fobs.
If you don't have a tracking device or aren't able to locate your keys, your next step should be to contact an auto locksmith in your area. They can assist you in creating a new key and reprogram it to your vehicle's immobilizer system. This service can be expensive and cost up to hundreds of dollars.
It is possible to have your car towed to a dealer to retrieve keys that were lost. It is best to have an extra key in your possession and take preventative measures to avoid losing them in the first place.
If you lose your keys the most important thing to do is remain calm. When you can't find your keys, it's easy to panic. If you begin screaming at yourself, it will make it even harder to locate them. If you can't find your keys in an acceptable timeframe it could be the right time to call a locksmith or visit the dealership. Regardless of what you do, make sure to inform your insurance company about the incident so they can help if anything happens to your vehicle in the future.
Check Your Hiding Spots
When you hide your spare key It's crucial to choose the location that's not obvious for people passing by. You'll be vulnerable to theft if you don't. Many people keep their extra keys in plants or in a flower pot however this is a mistake. If a burglar gets your keys, they may also discover your wallet or other valuables.
Another favorite place to hide is behind the door, but it can be difficult to gain access to if you're locked out. You can buy special locks that are attached to the inside of your door and look like a normal lock, but these tend to be quite expensive. You can hide the key in grass or under a mat. Some people also use fake rocks that look like normal but have a hidden compartment for the key.
It is not uncommon to store the key in the car. However, this can be dangerous. Thieves are aware of this trick and may be able to access the gas cap from the outside. If you're concerned about this, consider getting an magnetic key holder that can be attached to the underside of your vehicle. It's similar to the frame of a license plate, but is designed to secure the spare key in a discreet and hidden place.
The garage is a good place to hide your key, especially if have a detached garage. If you don't have a ladder keys placed in a small space on the side of your garage is out of sight.
Vinyl siding also makes for a great hiding spot, since there are sometimes slight gaps that you can slide the key into. Make sure you tie a piece of fishing line to the key, and then slide it into the siding until just small amounts of it are visible. This will stop the key from sliding when you happen to run into it while looking for it.
If you have lots of trees on your property, you could also try nailing the spare key to the bottom of one of the branches. This is a great option when you live in a rural area with plenty of trees because most people don't think to check this place for your keys.
Try turning off the car.
Until recently the loss of your car keys was not a big deal. A locksmith was available to assist and the cost was typically about $20. But today automobiles are becoming more and more technologically advanced, which could make them more expensive to replace should you do lose one.
In order to start the engine in a modern automobile, there is a special computer chip that communicates with the vehicle's ECU. The car will not start without this chip. It is essential to have the correct key.
You might be able to start your car using an older traditional style key. If this isn't working, it could be time to call a locksmith or call your car dealer to have a replacement key made.
Another option is to try starting the car with an extra key. This is the best solution for a lot of new cars that are manual, as they have spare keys. This method is more risky and will depend on the car, but it might be successful.
This method requires a bit of technical expertise and a toolbox. This process also involves disassembling an engine part and is not recommended for all. It is better to let a professional take care of this type of work as you'll be bypassing many of the safety features inside the vehicle.
It's always a good idea to have a spare car key in case you lose one. You can purchase a traditional key, but a smart key or transponder is also available. These keys are more expensive and require a trip to the dealer to get the new key.
Review your day
Everybody has experienced this when you lose your car keys. It's the most annoying thing you can do because it can ruin your day. You're going to be late for work and your chores aren't getting done. And, worse yet, you might be required to pay to replace the key fob when you're renting a car. It doesn't have to be this way. You can stop the loss of your keys from ruining your day if follow these simple steps.
Do not panic first. Relax and take deep breaths to calm down and help you focus. It's important to record where you've been so that you can go back and find out what happened to your keys.
If you're unable to remember where you placed them take a walk through your day. If you lost your keys while doing errands or shopping, return and go through each stop. Did you set them down on some counter? You might have knocked them loose while grabbing something from your bag. Try to recall exactly where you saw them.
Once you've walked back through your day, look everywhere else. You may have put them in a pocket in the jacket you were wearing or inside a bag you took with you. Be sure to check places you'd never think of, such as pockets in other people's clothing or underneath a sofa cushion.
If you can't locate your car keys, contact someone to help. Ask your friends if they've seen keys or, even better, ask an expert locksmith for assistance. The last thing you want to do is paying for a replacement key or even more traumatically, having your car stolen. An expert can help get your keys quickly and efficiently. look at this site 's also an excellent idea to have an extra car key, so make sure you keep it in a safe place.