How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys can be very stressful. Luckily, there are several methods to replace them.
First, try to find them yourself. Check all your bags and pockets and walk around the house.
Before visiting the dealership or locksmith be sure to bring proof of ownership such as your registration number or title for your vehicle. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
A spare car key is a great idea, since losing your car keys can be extremely costly and stressful. There are many ways to obtain an extra key for your car, even although it's not as simple as it was before.
Contacting the dealership is the quickest way to obtain a spare key. Dealerships have a record of the security details 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 vehicle. It could cost between $200 and $500 depending on where you live and the dealership you select, and the make of your vehicle.
Another alternative is to have a locksmith make you an ordinary key. This is cheaper than going to the dealership, especially if your car is older and doesn't have a more advanced key. Check your warranty and insurance policy or auto club membership for payment.
The majority of cars today utilize an expensive, sophisticated key that is difficult to replace. They have transponders that communicate with the vehicle's system in order to unlock and start the vehicle. If you lose your smart key, it will need to be paired back to your vehicle and this can only be done at the dealership.
If your vehicle is leased, the dealer might require that you return two sets of keys or key fobs at expiration of the lease. If this is the case, it's important to have a spare and ensure that you have it when your lease is up.
Getting a spare car key is more expensive than it used to be but it's worth it to prevent the stress and costly repairs in the future. It's always best to be prepared before you encounter a problem, so ensure you keep a spare key in an area that is secure and be aware of what to do in the event that you lose your car keys.
2. Contact a Locksmith
It's no secret that losing keys to your car can be an absolute discomfort to the neck. It can be frustrating to find out that you've left the spare car key in the back of your vehicle, no matter if you're at a petrol station or grocery store, or on your way home after work. Luckily, there are a few options to get your keys replaced without having to pay the locksmith or dealership.
If you have a conventional key, such as a regular double-edged car key, you are able to go to a local hardware store and purchase a replacement for less than $10. However, you will require evidence of ownership, like the registration of your vehicle or title. It might be more difficult to replace a key that's more advanced in technology like a smart key or a remote fob. It is possible to contact your local locksmith or even the manufacturer to have a replacement designed for you.
Transponder keys are used in most modern vehicles. These keys must be programmed into the computer of the vehicle. This can be accomplished by a locksmith, however it is more expensive than replacing the standard key. You can reset your key following the instructions in your owner’s manual. However, this could be time-consuming and difficult and might not always work.
If you have a designated spot to store your keys you can lower the risk of them being lost. You can put an empty bowl or key holder on a table near your door. It is always a good idea to keep a key ring with you so you are aware of where your keys will be. You can also try to organize your home or office, as a messy environment can make it easier to lose things! Just remember that even if not someone who loses your keys, it's still possible to lose them! In case of an emergency, it's important to prepare a backup plan. It's better to be prepared than be stuck on the side of the road!
3. Contact a Towing Service
If you are the type of person who frequently loses your car keys, it's an excellent idea to have an extra. They are simple to store and affordable, and will save you a great deal of stress in future. Many newer vehicles have safety features that make it harder to secure yourself. Check out 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 a variety of ways to replace your car keys but the details will vary based on the type of key you have and the way it was lost. If you have a traditional key that is not digitally programmed locksmiths can replace it. A smart key can make the process more complicated. spare car key replacement cost must verify your VIN and provide proof of ownership to obtain a new key, which can take up to a few weeks.
Car rental companies typically do not keep spare keys on site however, they'll usually collaborate with you to get the problem solved. Hertz, for example, does offer the option of losing keys as part of its roadside assistance plan. However, this service isn't available if you don't purchase additional roadside protection.
If you are unable to receive assistance from your rental provider, or in the event that you don't have an emergency roadside service plan with them you'll need to contact locksmiths or a towing service. Both can help you get back in your car and on the road, but each have advantages and disadvantages of their own. It is essential to research each option before selecting the best one, and to store the contact information for both on hand in case you need them. Also, you should avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means that you must always keep them in the same spot.
4. Contact an Repair Shop
It is best to prepare if you lose your keys. It wasn't that long ago that losing your key was just an inconvenience, but today it can actually be a big problem. If you're clever, it's not as costly or difficult to find a spare key like it was.
The first thing you'll have to do is determine what type of key your vehicle has. Traditional keys, with just an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition cylinder, are usually easy to replace. A basic key that does not have a chip can cost between $10 and $12. The majority of modern cars have keys with security chips in that must be programmed to unlock doors or to start the vehicle. Finding an alternative key can cost as much as $200.
These chips can be reprogrammed at a local dealership however, the process is complex and requires special equipment. Locksmiths may also be able to provide this task however it is important to choose a locksmith with the proper expertise and tools.
A key cutting shop such as AutoZone is also a possibility. A worker will trace the contours of an operational key. The key cutting shop will be able to cut a key that matches the original's cuts. The only downside to this is that you won't be able to drive your car until you have the new key cut and programmable to the vehicle.
If you're interested in trying this method, ensure you have the original working key together with your driver's licence and proof of ownership. A locksmith or dealer can decode the VIN on these documents in order to find the code needed to connect a key to your vehicle.
You can also reduce the cost of programming by having an entirely new key created and then attempting to reset it on your own. The majority of manufacturers will provide instructions on how to do this in the owner's manual, or you can search for "How to program a (your year model, make and year) key" online.