How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your keys to your car could be quite stressful. There are a variety of ways you can replace them.
First, try to locate them yourself. Take a look in all your pockets and bags, and look around the house.
Before visiting the dealership or locksmith be sure to bring evidence of ownership like your car registration or title. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It is a good thing to have a spare key for your car, since losing them can be costly and stressful. There are still a variety of ways to obtain a spare key for your car, even although it's not as simple as it was in the past.
The easiest way to get an extra car key is to call the dealership. Dealerships have a record of the security details for every vehicle, and they can find yours quickly in their system. They will need to create you a key, and then pair it to your vehicle. This can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 depending on the location, dealer and model of your car.
Another alternative is to have a locksmith make you the standard key. This is a much cheaper alternative to visiting the dealer, especially if you have an older car that doesn't have an advanced key. It is also advisable to check your car's warranty, car-insurance policy or auto club membership to see whether they'll pay for an entirely new key fob.
The majority of cars today utilize a high-tech key, which is much more expensive to replace than a traditional key. The keys are equipped with transponders that communicate with a vehicle's system to allow you to unlock and start the vehicle. If you lose your smart keys, they'll have to be linked to your vehicle. This can only be done by the dealership.
It is important to note that if your vehicle is on lease, the dealer could require you to surrender two sets of keys and key fobs when the lease expires. If this is the case, it's crucial to have a spare and ensure you have it before your lease expires.
It's more costly to buy a spare key, but it's worthwhile if you want to save yourself from stress and expensive repairs in the future. It is always advisable to be prepared prior to when you have a problem, so ensure you keep your spare keys in an area that is secure and know what to do if you ever lose your car keys.
2. Call a Locksmith
It's no secret that losing your car keys can be a real discomfort to the neck. If you're at a gas station, grocery store or on your way home from work it can be extremely frustrating to realize that you have left your spare key in the back of your car! Luckily, there are a few ways to get your keys replaced without having to pay the locksmith or the dealership.
If you have a conventional key, such as a standard double-edged car key, you can usually visit your local hardware store to purchase a replacement key for less than $10. However, you will have to provide evidence of ownership, like the registration of your vehicle or the title. If you own a more technologically advanced key, for instance a remote fob or a smart key, it might be more difficult to replace. It is possible to contact your local locksmith or the manufacturer to have a new one created for you.
Transponder keys are found in the majority of modern vehicles. 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 also try to reset your key by following the steps in the owner's manual however, it can be difficult and time-consuming, and isn't always successful.
You can lessen the chance of losing your keys by having a specific place to put keys. You can hang a key holder close to your door or put them in an empty bowl on a table. You can always keep a key ring around 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 because a messy space can make it easier to lose things! Be aware that even if you are not the type to lose your keys, it's possible to lose they are there! It's important to have an emergency plan in case this occurs. It's always better to be prepared than stuck on the side of the road!
3. Call toll-free Towing Service
It's a great idea to have a spare set of keys if you are someone who loses their car keys often. They're fairly inexpensive and simple to keep around and will save you lots of stress in the future. Many of the latest cars come with safety features which make it much more difficult to be locked out of the vehicle. Check out the new inventory at Longo Toyota to find a car with this feature, or think about upgrading your current vehicle to one with this feature.
While there are many ways to get your car key replaced, the specifics will depend on the kind of key you have and the way it was lost. If you own a traditional key that is not digitally programmed locksmiths can replace it. A smart key can make the process more complicated. The dealer must run the VIN and provide proof of ownership in order to obtain an alternative key for you, which may take several days.
Most car rental companies do not keep spare keys in their facilities, but will help you resolve the problem. Hertz, for example, does offer the option of losing keys as part of its roadside assistance plan. However the service isn't offered when you don't purchase additional roadside protection.
If your rental company is unable to help you, or you do not have their emergency roadside service plan, the next option is to contact a towing service or locksmith. spare key cost can help you get back into your vehicle and on the road however each has advantages and disadvantages. It is important to study each option and keep the contact details of both providers at hand in case of need. Be sure to keep your keys safe by every means. This means that you put 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. Contact an Repair Shop
It is best to prepare if you lose your keys. In the past, losing your car key or losing it was just a minor annoyance. Nowadays, this could be a major issue. If you're intelligent, it's not nearly as expensive or difficult to get an extra key as it was in the past.
The first thing you'll need 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 basic key with no chip will cost around $10-$12. The most recent vehicles come with keys with security chips in. These keys must be programmed to unlock doors or start the vehicle. Keys replacement for these cars can cost as much as $200.
The chips can be reprogrammed at your local dealer however the process is complicated and requires specialized equipment. Locksmiths may also be able to perform this procedure, but it's important to find one who has the right skills and experience.
Another option is to go to a key cutting shop, such as AutoZone, where an associate will pick up 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 original key's cut. The only downside to this is that you won't be allowed to drive your vehicle until you've had the new key cut and programmable to the vehicle.
If you're considering trying this method, make sure 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 cut down on the cost of programming by having an entirely new key created and then attempting to reset it on your own. Most manufacturers will include instructions on how to do this in the owner's manual. Or, you can look up "How to program a (your year model, year, and make) key" online.