Why You Should Be Working With This Spare Key For Car
How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your keys to your car can be a very stressful experience. There are many ways to get them replaced.
Find them first by yourself. Check your pockets, bags and even the whole house.
Be sure to bring proof of ownership with you before you visit a dealership or a locksmith. This could be your vehicle title or registration. This will help you save money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
A spare car key is a good option, since losing your car keys can be very costly and stressful. There are still a variety of ways to obtain an extra key for your car, although it's not as simple as it was in the past.
The simplest way to obtain a spare car key is to contact the dealership. Dealerships keep records of security details for each vehicle and can quickly find your key in their database. They will however have to create the key for you and connect it to your vehicle. It could cost between $200 and $500 based on where you live, the dealership you use, and the make of your car.
A locksmith can also give you an ordinary-sized key. This is a less expensive alternative to going to the dealer, particularly when you own an older vehicle which doesn't come with an advanced key. Make sure to check your warranty, insurance policy or auto club membership to see if you can pay.
Today's vehicles utilize a high-tech key, which is much more expensive to replace than a standard key. These keys contain a transponder that communicates with the system of the vehicle in order to unlock and start the car. If you lose your smart keys, they'll have to be paired with your vehicle. This is only possible through the dealership.
If your vehicle is leased, the dealer might require that you return two sets of keys or key fobs at the end of the lease. It is important to have an extra set of keys and key fobs in the event that this occurs.
It's more expensive to get a spare key, but it's still worth it if you wish to avoid stress and expensive repairs in the future. It's best to be ready for any situation. Keep the spare key in a safe location and be aware of what you should do if your keys ever get lost.
2. Contact an expert locksmith
It's not a secret that losing your car keys can be an enormous pain in the neck. It can be frustrating to find out that you've left the spare car key in the backseat of your vehicle, whether you're at the gas station or a grocery store on your way home after work. Luckily, there are a few options to get your keys replaced without having to pay the locksmith or the dealership.
If you have a traditional key, such as a regular double-edged car key, you can visit your local hardware store and get an alternative for less than $10. However, you will need to provide evidence of ownership, like the vehicle registration or title. It could be more difficult to replace a key that is more advanced in technology, such as an intelligent key or remote fob. You may need to call your local locksmith or the manufacturer to have a replacement created for you.
Transponder keys are used in a majority of modern automobiles. They have to be programmed into the car's computer. Locksmiths can help you do this however it is more expensive than simply replacing a traditional key. You can reset your key following the instructions in your owner’s manual. However, this could be time-consuming and complex and may not always work.
You can reduce your chances of losing your keys in the first place by having a dedicated place to put keys. You can place the bowl or key holder on a table next to your door. You can also keep a key ring with you at all times so that you always know where your keys are. It is also possible to tidy up your home or office space since a messy home is a higher risk to lose items. Just remember that even if you are not prone to losing your keys, it's still possible that you'll lose them! In case of an emergency, it's essential to have an emergency plan. It's better to be prepared than to be stuck at the side of the road!
3. Call toll-free Towing Service
If you're the kind of person who regularly loses your car keys, it's an excellent idea to have a spare. These are fairly cheap and simple to keep on hand, and they will help you avoid a lot of stress in the future. A lot of newer cars have security features that make it more difficult to be locked out of the vehicle. Take a look at the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a car with this feature, or consider upgrading your vehicle to one that has it.
There are a myriad 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 an old-fashioned key that's not digitally programmed, a locksmith will be able to replace it quickly. If you have a smart key however, this could be a more complex procedure. The dealer will need to run the VIN and provide proof of ownership to obtain a replacement key for you and it could take several days.
Car rental companies typically do not keep spare keys in their facilities, but they will often work with you to get the problem resolved. Hertz, for example, does offer the option of losing keys as part of its roadside assistance plan. However, this service isn't available in the event that you don't buy additional roadside protection.
If you're unable to receive assistance from your rental provider, or in the event that you don't have an emergency roadside assistance plan in place, you'll need to call a locksmith or a towing service. Both will allow you to get back in your car and on the road, but each have distinct advantages and disadvantages. It is essential to study each option and keep the contact information of both providers available in case of emergency. Don't lose your keys by every means. This means putting them in the same place every time, and not leaving them in the pocket of your coat or on top of your car when you're parking.
4. Call an Repair Shop
If you've lost your keys to your car, it's best to have a plan for how to get back in your vehicle. In the past, losing your car key or losing it was just a minor annoyance. Nowadays, this could be a major problem. If you're smart, it's not as expensive or difficult to find an extra key as it was.
The first thing you'll need determine the kind of key your car has. Keys that are traditional, having an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition cylinder are usually easy to replace. A basic key without chip costs between $10 and $12. The most recent vehicles have keys with security chips built into them that need to be programmed to unlock doors or to start the vehicle. Replacement keys for these cars can cost as much as $200.
The process of changing the chip's programming is complicated and requires special equipment. This service can also be done by a locksmith, however you should make sure that they have the right tools and know-how.
Another option is to visit a key cutting shop like AutoZone where a staff member will use a key that is working and trace its contours. This way, they'll be able to cut the new key to match the original key's cut. The only drawback is that you won't be able to drive the vehicle until the new key is cut and programmed.
If you're interested in trying this method, ensure you have the original working key together with your driver's license and proof of ownership. A dealer or locksmith can decode the VIN number on these documents to find the code needed to connect a new key to your vehicle.
You can also reduce the cost of programming by having a new key and then attempting to reset it on your own. The instructions are available in the owner's manual or on the internet.