lost spare car key (Viking published a blog post)? Here's What to Do

In the past losing your car keys wasn't an issue. You would call your local locksmith and they would make an appropriate replacement key for you.

Nowadays, it's more complex. It's dependent on the kind of key you have and whether you lost your spare. Here are some tips to help you locate your car keys.

Retract Your Steps

Sometimes, we forget things. You might be running a quick errand, and forget to hang your keys in the entryway. Or, you could be returning home from a long workday and throw them on the couch. It's frustrating to lose your spare key.

Take a deep breath and don't panic. You can still find your keys if search for them with enough effort. It's important to have a backup plan in place by calling a professional car locksmith, just in case.

After you've calmed down and gained control over your emotions now is the time to start looking for your keys. One of the most effective ways to retrace your steps is by simply recalling the last time you were able to see them. It's easier than you might think, especially if you can close your eyes and visualize the exact location you last was able to see them.

Begin by imagining where they could be. This includes your car, your house and other places you've been to during the day. You can ask your family or friends to assist you in your search. This will give you more eyes!

Examine the handle on the driver's door and center console in your vehicle for signs of an extra. Also, be sure to check any bags or pockets that you've carried during the day. It's not uncommon for keys to get "lost" in the car, so make sure to look thoroughly in the compartments of your car!

Check Your Hideouts

Your car keys can be difficult to locate no matter how to replace lost car key careful or diligent you are. It's one of the most frequently lost items that can lose and can turn into a nightmare if you are not careful. There are a few steps you could do prior to calling a locksmith in case you've lost car keys cost to replace your car keys.

Before you frantically search for your lost keys It's worth examining the places where you usually place them. If you have a keyholder near the door or keys on a table, check the locations first. You could also ask someone in the vicinity like an employee or a fellow customer. They might have noticed your keys in the chaos of your shopping trip, or have found them when they were cleaning up.

Many people store their spare keys inside the car, and this may be a great alternative. If the hood of your car is able to be opened externally, it is important to place the spare key in a safe area so that it won't be crushed when the hood closes. Mini-vaults and magnetic boxes may be attached to your vehicle, keeping your keys secure and easily accessible.

You can also place keys that are spare inside the car's tailpipe but this method is often difficult to use and not very discrete. You might also notice that the tailpipe is covered with mud, snow or ice, making it difficult to locate the key.

Another spot where people often conceal their keys is behind the tires. This can be a simple and effective method of keeping your keys hidden, but it's important to keep in mind that the tires of your car are visible regardless of what you're wearing. Therefore, this method isn't ideal if you're wearing shorts or skirts.

You can leave your spare key with an individual from your family or a trusted friend, especially if you are traveling and do not want it to be lost. However, if you have a proximity key, be cautious when leaving it with strangers because some thieves could utilize signal relays and amplifier technology to hijack the signal from your key fob to unlock your car even when the key is miles away.

Check Inside Your Car

There's no way to know when you'll lose something, especially the key fob, which is why it's essential to look for it in every possible location. This involves going back to the first location you used it and retracing your steps and contacting employees or owners of the places you've visited, and possibly lost it.

It's also worth checking your car for the keys if you think you've left them in there. Examine the glove box which is a popular place to store the spare keys for your car. Also, check the area beneath the front seats, and the mysterious black hole inside the car that can swallow small items like keys.

Examine any bags or purses that you carry around, as they could contain a lost key. This will require you to search through all pockets and compartments in your purse or backpack and scouting for zippered areas, and even removing items like makeup and sunglasses from your bag and looking under.

Contact a locksmith if you've tried all of these steps and still cannot find your car keys lost replacement keys. They'll help you find the lost car keys and get you back on the road in a short time.

You can prevent this from happening by having a spare car key. But you should also add a Bluetooth tracker to your key so that it's easier to keep the track of them. These tiny devices attach to your keys and emit a unique signature, allowing you to connect them to an app on your smartphone and track where they are at all times.

Another option is to call your dealership and ask them to design an original car key for you. Because they already have security information for your car they'll be able to do this quickly. It might be more challenging if you have an advanced vehicle, as they will need to pair the key with your car. This could take some time. It's essential to always have a spare car key.

Contact a Locksmith

If you are unable to locate your car keys in the unlikely event, it is essential to contact an emergency locksmith. Not only will this assist you to get into your car and get back inside, but it will ensure that nobody else has access. If you don't notify the owner of your car key as soon as you can this could lead to further problems in the future, such as someone trying to impersonate yourself.

The majority of modern vehicles require the use of a key fob to unlock and operate the vehicle. If you have lost electric key your key fob it is essential to have a spare in order to avoid having to pay to have the car transported to the dealer, and then having to pay for a new set of keys.

A locksmith can design an entirely new key for your vehicle without knowing the exact details of the security system. They can also disable the previous key to prevent it from being able to be used again. If you're not sure what type of car key you require the locksmith can typically identify it from the information on your registration or title.

To avoid your spare keys from being lost, it is best to keep them in a secure place separate from your keychain. This will lessen the chances that you'll lose your keys or disappear from your pocket.

You can also ward off the loss of the spare car key by jotting down your vehicle identification (VIN) number and keeping it in your wallet. It is a unique number that helps identify your car, and it can be found on the driver's side dashboard the door jamb or the frame of your vehicle.

Whether you need to replace your car's spare key or simply want to lower the risk of losing it in the first place, a local locksmith is the best option for getting your life back on the right track. It's also less expensive than a trip to the dealership, and you might even be able to get the spare key made on site.