Lost Key Car: Top Solutions To Follow

Losing the car keys can be one of the most annoying problems in our life. We all have faced such situations and know how it feels to lose your car keys. It doesn't only put us in a wherein that we lose our facility of personal transport, for the time being, it kills an awful lot of time and increases our ere.

Losing the car key can cause much trouble, a situation no one wants to be in. So, it can be handy to keep a few things in mind.

1. Search The Surroundings

Losing a car key is a pretty common scenario. Most of them, you forget where you've kept them. It is time you lose your sunglasses and try to find them everywhere while it has been on your forehead the whole time.

So, searching your surroundings for the lost car keys should be the 1st step. Also, there's an unspoken step that you have to follow. That is, "Just don't panic." Most people panic after losing the car keys, which worsens things.

Try to keep cool and think about all the places you've been to in the last few hours and where you could lose your car keys. If it works, then good for you. If it doesn't, just move on to the next step.

2. Search Your Vehicle

If you couldn't find your car keys in your house or other places you've been to, maybe it's time to search it in your vehicle, only if you haven't locked yourself out of the vehicle. Most people leave their car keys in the car after reaching their destination out of forgetfulness. Make sure you didn't leave it there.

If you left them in the car and locked yourself out of it, call a local locksmith, and they should be able to take care of the problem for you.

3. Gather Vehicle Information

You will have to contact an automotive locksmith or the car dealership to get another key for your vehicle. To do that, you will need some information about the vehicle to get the right service.

You will need to identify your key type and vehicle identification number (VIN). You should be able to find the VIN on the dash and the driver's side door jamb. Additionally, note the year, make, and model of your car. This information is required to make a new key for your vehicle.

4. Get A New Key

After you've lost your car keys, you will have to deal with someone at a dealership or take locksmith services, depending on the car key type. If it's a traditional car key, then any experienced locksmith should be able to prepare a new car key for you.

But, if it's not, you might have to contact a dealership. Certain locksmiths can still make older car keys, but newer car keys, such as transponder keys, and high-security keys like smart keys and key fobs, require special tools which not all locksmiths possess.

So, contacting the dealership is the most common if it's not a traditional key. Yet, some locksmith services can make you a newer car key too.

5. Consider Cost

When it's time to get a new car key, you better consider the cost before contacting anyone because making a car key can cost you heavy bucks. If a locksmith can handle it, you're saved for the day because they don't cost as much. But if you decide to take it to the dealership, it might cost you a lot more.

Again, you'll need to tow the car to the dealership, which will also cost you some money. If you're too short of money, you can consider going to the hardware repair store, which will cost a lot less. But these stores require a key to make a duplicate. So, these services can only be used to make spare keys.

Key Fob

The least expensive key fobs to replace are the standard ones. Depending on the automobile and the automaker, replacing a single key fob will cost different amounts. A basic key replacement costs between $50 - $100 on average.

Laser Cut Key

Because of their automatic cuts, laser-cut keys, also known as a sidewinder or internal keys, have a distinctive appearance. They are thicker and more durable since they feature a groove cut directly through the middle rather than side notches.

A replacement car key will cost you $150 to $300 because any locksmith service can't make these types of keys, and you might have to take them to the dealership.

Transponder Key

The head of the transponder key differs from a basic key; otherwise, they're similar. These kinds of keys became popular in the early 90s. An electronic comp0nent that frequently has buttons to lock and unlock your automobile, open the truck and activate an alarm is located at the top of the key.

The chip in this electrical component is also required to start the car. Replacing transponder car keys will cost around $150 - $250.

Car Key Fob With Switchblade Key

These keys comprise remote fobs with a spring-loaded key mechanism that folds into the fob like a switchblade and is used to lock and unlock the automobile. This dual mechanism enables remote vehicle entry and a more streamlined, compact key that collapses into itself for transport.

Depending on the brand and make of your car, replacement car keys will cost you $150 - $350.

Remote Key

These are keyless ignition keys. These would be the remotes that let you start the car and get in without using the actual key. These automobiles have what is referred to as a 'push to start' ignition instead of a key ignition.

These keys are more difficult for hackers to replicate the code and start the vehicle. The car engine starts after the car's computer detects the key's encoded message.

These are the most expensive types of keys and will cost you almost $250 - $600.

6. Get A Spare Key

Now that you've made an ignition key for your vehicle, it's time to get a spare key to have some alternative when you lose the current ones. Making a spare key can spare you a lot of trouble and save you a lot of time.

You can order two keys at once instead of making a spare after getting the original one because it just makes more sense. Again, getting two keys at once will cut out some of the cost.

Things To Keep In Mind Before Calling A Dealer Or Locksmith

When you call a dealer or a locksmith to make new keys, always give as many details as possible, even if it seems unnecessary, and explain your problem clearly. Provide the dealer/locksmith with the correct VIN, the make, the model, and the exact year of production to bring the necessary tools to make the key.

Again, give the locksmith your exact location so that no time is lost, and it will also be cost-effective. Also, don't forget to make sure that the locksmith you're taking locksmith services from is bonded, licensed, and insured.

Tips For Avoiding Key Loss

Losing car keys is a very common problem, and people will keep losing them unless necessary measures are taken. That's why I wanted to provide you with some tips to prevent yourself from losing the keys again and again.

1. Establish a special spot for your keys. A key hanger or simply a bowl by the door can be a pretty good place to keep the keys, and that's how you make sure you don't lose them.
2. The modern way to keep track of the whereabouts of your car key is a key tracker. This can help you find the keys after you forget where you kept them by providing you with their location.
3. Whatever else you do, always keep a spare key for emergencies.

Contact Armor Locks Co. - For Key Replacement Services

If you lost your car keys and locked yourself out of the car around Houston, TX, you need an emergency car key replacement. That's where we come in. We are a professional locksmith agency providing service in the area for years.

Our technicians have years of experience in this industry and are highly trained. Any issue you might have with your car lock will be immediately fixed thanks to our mobile service, which is available 24/7.

No matter the time, we are ready to provide our service whenever you need us. Call us at 832-481-5030, and we'll be there in no time.