How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your car keys can be extremely stressful. There are many methods to replace them.
Find them first by yourself. Check your pockets, bags and the entire house.
Make sure to bring proof of ownership before visiting a dealership or locksmith. This could be your vehicle title or registration. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
Having a spare car key is a great option, since losing your car keys can be very costly and stressful. While it's not as easy as it was in the past to find an extra car key there are several ways you can still obtain one.
Contacting the dealership is the most efficient way to obtain a spare key. Dealerships keep records of security information for every vehicle and can quickly find your key in their database. However, they'll have to create the key for you, and connect it to your vehicle. This can cost between $200 and $500 based on your location and the dealership you select, and the make of your vehicle.
Another option is to have a locksmith create you the standard key. This is a much cheaper alternative to going to the dealer, especially when you own an older car that doesn't have an advanced key. Check your warranty and insurance policy or auto club membership for payment.
Most of today's cars use a sophisticated key, which is more expensive to replace than a standard key. These keys have a transponder chip that communicates with the vehicle's system to allow the vehicle to start and unlock the engine. If you lose your smart key, it will need to be paired back to your vehicle which 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 the end of the lease. If this is the case, it's important to have a spare and make sure you have it before your lease expires.
It's more expensive to purchase a spare key, however it is still worth it if you want to avoid stress and costly repairs in the near future. It's best to be prepared for any scenario. Keep a spare key in a safe location and know what you should do if your keys get lost.
2. Contact a Locksmith
It's no secret that losing your keys to your car can be a real pain in the neck. It can be frustrating to discover that you've forgotten your spare car key in the backseat of your car, whether you're at a petrol station or grocery store, or returning home from work. There are many ways to replace your keys without having to pay an expensive locksmith or dealership.
If you have an old key like a double-edged type you can purchase a new one from your local hardware store for less than $10. However, you will have to provide proof of ownership, like the registration of your vehicle or title. It could be more difficult to replace a key that is more technologically advanced, such as an intelligent key or remote fob. You may have to call an individual locksmith or the manufacturer to have a new key created.
Transponder keys are used in a majority of modern automobiles. They must be programmed into the computer of the vehicle. This can be accomplished by a locksmith, however it will cost more than replacing a standard key. You can reset your key by following the instructions provided in your owner's manual. However, this can be lengthy and complicated and may not always work.
You can lessen the chance of losing your keys by having a dedicated place to put keys. You can put a bowl or a key holder on a table near your door. You can always keep a key ring with you to ensure that you are aware of where your keys will be. It is also a good idea to tidy up your office or home 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 lose them! In case of an emergency, it's crucial to have an emergency plan. It's always better to be prepared rather than stuck on the side of the road!
3. Call a Towing Service
It is a good idea to have an extra set of keys in case you are someone who loses car keys frequently. These are easy to store and are inexpensive and will spare you a lot of stress in future. Many newer vehicles have security features that make it more difficult to lock yourself out. 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 several ways to replace your car keys, but the specifics will differ based on the type of key and how it was misplaced. If you own a traditional key that is not digitally programmed a locksmith can replace it. If you have a digital key however, this could be a much more involved process. The dealer will have to run the VIN and provide proof of ownership in order to get an alternative key for you and it could take a few days.
Car rental companies typically don't keep spare keys on site, but they will often assist you in getting the issue solved. Hertz offers a lost-key assistance as part of its premium roadside assistance plan. However this service isn't provided when you don't purchase additional roadside protection coverage.
If you're unable to receive assistance from your rental provider, or not having an emergency roadside service plan in place then you'll have to call an emergency locksmith or towing service. Both will get you back to your vehicle and on the roads, but they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is essential to research each option before selecting a provider, and to keep the contact information for both in case you ever require them. Also, you should avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means you should always keep them in the same location.
4. Contact an Repair Shop
When you lose your keys to your car, it's recommended to have a plan to return inside the vehicle. In the past, losing your car keys or losing it was a minor inconvenience. Nowadays, this can be a major problem. The good part is that if aware of it, getting an extra car key isn't as difficult and costly as it was in the past.
The first thing you'll need to do is determine what kind of key your car has. The traditional keys with an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition are easy to replace. A standard key without a chip will cost between $10 to $12. However, modern automobiles use keys with built-in security chips that must be programmed into the car in order to unlock the doors or start it. Finding the keys replaced can cost as much as $200.
The chips can be reprogrammed at a local dealership, but the process is complicated and requires special equipment. get spare car key made near me may also be able to provide this service however it is important to choose a locksmith with the necessary experience and tools.
Another option is to visit an establishment that cuts keys, such as AutoZone where a staff member will pick up a working key and trace its contours. The key cutting shop will be able to cut a key that is in line with the original's cut. The only drawback is that you won't be able drive your vehicle until the new key is cut and programmed.
If you're interested in trying this method, make sure you bring the working key together with your driver's license and proof of ownership. A locksmith or dealer can decode the VIN number on these documents to determine the code needed to connect a brand new 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 yourself. Most manufacturers will have instructions on how to do this in their owner's manual, or you can search for "How to program a (your year model, year, and make) key" online.