How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys could be extremely stressful. There are a variety of ways you can replace keys.
Begin by locating them yourself. Examine all your bags and pockets and then look around the house.
Be sure to bring proof of ownership with you prior to visiting a dealer or locksmith. This could be your car's registration or title. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
The idea of having a spare car key is a good idea, as losing your car keys can be a huge financial burden and stressful. Although it's not as simple as it was in the past to obtain a spare car key, there are several ways you can still obtain one.
The easiest way to get a spare car key is to call the dealership. Dealerships maintain records of security information for every vehicle and can quickly find yours in their system. However, they'll require a key for you and connect it to your vehicle. It could cost from $200 to $500, depending on the location, dealer and the make of your vehicle.
A locksmith can also create you keys of standard size. This is less expensive than visiting a dealership, especially if your car is older and doesn't have a more advanced key. You should check your warranty, insurance policy or auto club membership for payment.
The majority of cars today utilize keys that are sophisticated and expensive that is difficult to replace. They have transponder chips that communicates with the vehicle's system to unlock and start the engine. If you lose your smart key, it'll need to be paired back to your vehicle and this is only possible at the dealership.
If your vehicle is leased, your dealer may ask you to return two sets of keys or key fobs at end of the lease. make a spare key is essential to have a spare set of keys and key fobs in case this occurs.
It's more expensive to purchase a spare key, but it's worth it if you want to save yourself from stress and costly repairs in the future. It's always best to be prepared in case you face a problem so make sure you keep a spare in a safe place and be aware of what to do in the event that you should lose your car keys.
2. Contact for a locksmith
It's not a secret that losing your keys to your car can be an enormous pain in the neck. It can be very frustrating to find out that you've left your spare car key in the back seat of your vehicle, whether you're at a petrol station or a grocery store just returning home from work. Luckily, there are several ways to get your keys replaced without having to pay the locksmith or dealership.
If you have an old key, such as a double-edged key you can purchase an alternative one at your local hardware store for less than $10. You will need to show evidence of ownership, like the registration or title for your vehicle. It might be more difficult to replace a key which is more technologically advanced like a smart key or a remote fob. It is possible to contact an individual locksmith or the manufacturer to get an entirely new key.
Most modern vehicles use a transponder key that needs to be programmed by the vehicle's computer. This can be done by a locksmith, however it will cost more than replacing a standard key. You can reset your key by following the instructions in your owner’s manual. However, this can be lengthy and complicated, and may not always work.
You can reduce your chances of losing your keys in the first place by having a specific location to store them. You can hang a key holder close to your door or place them in an empty bowl on a table. You can keep a key ring with your person at all times to ensure that you always know where your keys are. It is also a good idea to tidy up your home or office since a messy office can make it easier to lose things! Just remember that even if not the type to lose your keys, it's still possible that you could forget them! It's crucial to have a backup plan in case this occurs. It's better to be prepared rather than be stuck at the side of the road!
3. Call a Towing Service
If you are the type of person who regularly loses your car keys, it's recommended to purchase a spare. They are simple to store and cheap and will spare you a lot of stress in future. Many of the latest vehicles come with safety features that make it harder 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 with this feature.
There are a variety of ways to replace your car keys, but the specifics will vary based on the type of key you have and the way it was lost. If you have a conventional key that is not digitally programmed a locksmith can replace it. If you own a smart key however, it could be a more complicated procedure. The dealer will need to run your VIN and provide proof of ownership to get you a replacement key, which could take a few weeks.
Most car rental firms do not keep spare keys in their facilities, but will help you resolve the issue. Hertz, for example offers a lost key service as part of its roadside assistance plan. However this service isn't provided when you don't purchase additional roadside protection.
If you are unable to get assistance from your rental company or not having an emergency roadside service plan in place you'll need to contact a locksmith or a towing service. Both will allow you to get back in your car and on the road, but each have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is essential to research each option before selecting a provider, and to keep the contact details for both in case you 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. Call an Repair Shop
When you lose your car keys, it's always better to have a strategy for getting back in your vehicle. It wasn't long ago that misplacing or losing your keys was an inconvenience, but now it can actually be an issue. The good thing is that if you're aware of it, getting a spare car key isn't as difficult and expensive as it was in the past.
The first thing you'll need to determine the kind of key your vehicle has. Keys that are traditional, having the mechanical shank that goes into the ignition cylinder, are generally simple to replace. A basic key that does not have a chip can cost between $10 and $12. The most recent vehicles have keys that have security chips built in. These keys must be programmed to unlock doors or start the car. Finding an alternative key could cost up to $200.
The process of reprogramming these chips is complex and requires specialized equipment. A locksmith may also be able to provide this procedure, but it's important to find one who has the necessary skills and experience.
Another option is to visit a key cutting shop, such as AutoZone where a staff member will take a working key and trace its contours. 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 will not be able to drive the vehicle until the new key is cut and programmed.
If you'd like to test this method out you'll need your driver's licence and evidence of ownership. A locksmith or dealer can decode the VIN on these documents in order to locate the code required to connect a key to your vehicle.
You can also reduce the cost of programming by having a new key made and then trying to reset it yourself. You can find the instructions in the owner's manual or online.