Having a lost car key can be a big deal. Whether you are running a quick errand and forgot your keys on the seat, or you were distracted while grabbing dinner and left them in the car, it can be frustrating and potentially dangerous. There are a few ways to solve the problem, but it depends on what kind of car key you have and how you lost it.
First of all, don’t panic! It happens to the best of us. Try to remember where you last saw your keys, and retrace your steps. It can help to have a friend or roommate assist in your search; it’s easier to find things when you aren’t alone.
Then, if you still can’t find them, it is time to call for help. Depending on what kind of key you have, this can be either the dealership or a locksmith. Typically, a locksmith will be much faster and cheaper than a dealership.
If you have a traditional mechanical key, or even an older model key without a remote start feature, it can usually be replaced fairly easily by a local locksmith. They may not be able to reprogram the key, but you can get a new key made for less than it would cost at the dealership.
More recent cars have transponder keys that use a computer chip inside to pair with the car. If you have this type of key and lose it, it can be a lot more difficult to replace, as the dealership will need to program the key with the vehicle’s computer to make it work. This can take a while and could leave you without a car in the meantime.
It is also a good idea to have a spare key on hand. This way, you can still drive your car in the interim. This will save you a lot of time and stress if the worst does happen.
If you have a spare, it can also be helpful to keep in mind the most common places to look for the lost key, like the pockets of your coat and pants, and the bag you used to carry them with you. This will give you a better chance of finding them before they are completely gone! You can also check at the restaurants, stores, and other locations you have been to recently; they often have lost and found bins where items like your car key fob can be found. Be sure to contact the business before heading over there, though, so that they are expecting you and can put it aside if they do have it. lost car key