How to Replace Lost Car Keys

You're tired, so you change into your sweats and order a pizza to binge-watch your latest TV show. You discover that your car keys have disappeared.

Before you panic, consider your options. There are several ways to replace lost car keys but the majority require a dealership or a professional locksmith.

Check Your Car's Locks

It's best to inspect your car first when you lose your keys. We often forget where they are, particularly when we're distracted or in a rush. Fortunately finding keys to your car isn't difficult when you make the effort to conduct a thorough search of your vehicle.

Start with the driver’s seat. Move the seats forward and back as well as upwards and downwards to check every inch of your car for the car key. Make sure you check small compartments and zippered areas for keys, too. Also, you should carefully search your purse, backpack, or tote bag for the keys.

A lot of modern cars have key fobs that let you to lock and unlock your car from a distance. Most of the time, these devices come with an internal transponder chip that communicates with the car to let you in and start the engine. If you've lost your car's key fob, you'll have to visit a dealership to have a new one made.

Certain older cars still have traditional keys made of metal that fit into an ignition cylinder. If you have lost these keys, a locksmith may be able to create an alternative key for you, if you have evidence of ownership such as your registration or title.

The dealer may also offer a replacement however it will cost more. The dealership will have to connect a computer chip to your car, which could be priced between $200 and $250, or more, based on the model and make of your car.

Make sure to verify your insurance policy prior to deciding to purchase a new car key. You might be able to claim your comprehensive insurance policy to pay for the cost of buying a new car key. It's also worthwhile to ask your insurance company if they have roadside assistance coverage to assist you in the event of an emergency. There are numerous companies that provide roadside assistance programs. You should be able to locate one close to you.

Verify the Identification Number of Your Vehicle (VIN)

The vehicle identification number (VIN) is a 17-digit alpha and numeric code that is unique to every vehicle on the road. It's used to identify vehicles, monitor inventory, report crashes and thefts, as well as more. In the United States, the VIN is typically stamped into the form of a plate or label on the dashboard of your car, the driver's side door jamb and sometimes on the engine block. You can also find your VIN in other places, such as the registration of your vehicle as well as title and insurance documents.

It is important to keep your VIN secure because it's unique to you and your car. In the event that you should ever lose your keys, you'll be in a position to make use of it to get an alternative key quickly and easily. A locksmith can decode the VIN and retrieve the manufacturer's code for your model. This will work with your lock.

Most passenger cars have their VIN on a label placed where the windshield meets the dash on the driver's side. You can also find it on the driver-side door jamb or on the front of the engine block of larger trucks and commercial vehicles. Certain VINs are etched directly into the windshield or windows of your vehicle as a prevention measure.

You can check your VIN by entering it into a online VIN decoder. This will provide you with a complete report on your vehicle, which includes the manufacturer, model and make, body style, engine size, assembly plant and the year it was made.

VINs were first introduced in 1954, but up to 1981, they were available in a variety of configurations. In that year the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standardized VINs to the current 17-character format.

If your VIN number is correct, you can get new keys from most dealerships or locksmiths for automotive based on the type of key your vehicle requires. If your car has an ignition chip you will need to visit an authorized locksmith or dealer to replace your key. You can also purchase basic keys at hardware stores.

Contact Your Dealership

It wasn't too long ago that losing your car keys was not a big deal. You could easily contact your local dealer to purchase a new set. It's a lot more complicated today. The dealership may not be the best place to go if you need to replace the keys to your car that you lost.

While you can certainly still obtain a traditional key from the dealership, the best choice is to contact an automotive locksmith. They are more likely to be in a position to get you back on the road quickly and will probably charge less than the dealership would.

Before calling someone to replace your car keys, write down the number of your vehicle identification (VIN). This is important because someone will need it to create a replacement car key for you. The VIN is found on the dashboard of your vehicle or it could be found in the owner's manual.

Dealerships are able replace lost key for car car keys for the majority of manufacturers. However, this isn't a assurance that they'll be able to assist you. It's contingent on the model and make of your vehicle as well as whether or not the keys have complicated programming. Bring your car to the dealership and request the service manager if are unsure if they can help.

If you have an electronic key that's been lost or stolen, you'll need to go to your dealership in order to have it replaced. This is because the security features in your car require a specific kind of key to function correctly and reset.

This process is more complex than it used to be, so be sure that you're willing to pay the extra price to restore this feature. A dealership can also give you a backup key that's similar to the original one in the event that your lost keys of car one was damaged or stolen. If you decide to do this ensure that you have all of the required information, including an ID photo. This will make the process more efficient for everyone involved.

Call a locksmith

Calling a locksmith is the first step to replace lost keys to your car. An experienced locksmith will be able cut and program a new key for your car while you wait. However, they will require the year, make and model of your vehicle as well as evidence that you own it (a copy of your registration or title should suffice).

Make sure you check every possible location for your keys before you contact a locksmith. Check the pockets of the pants, jackets and purses. Also, check any other bags that you may have used. You may also look for your keys in places that you would not normally look like the floor behind the table in front of the doorway or under the couch. If you've done this and still cannot find your keys, it's time to call for help.

A locksmith should be able to replace traditional keys on the spot at a cost of around $20. This is less expensive than having roadside assistance tow your vehicle to a dealer to purchase a new one.

In many instances, a locksmith can also cut and program keys for more advanced types of automobiles, such as smart keys, switchblade keys, and transponder keys. These more complex keys may require that you provide the VIN number of your car however, a professional locksmith will have the tools to cut and program the key in a flash for you.

Locksmiths are also able to ability to remove broken keys that are bent or broken that can occur if you accidentally lock them in your car. Trying to remove a broken key on your own could cause more damage, and this task should be left to professionals.

In addition to helping you replace keys to your car that have been lost, a locksmith can give you advice about how to avoid keys from being lost the keys to my car or stolen. The best preventative measures include keeping a spare set of keys in your wallet or at home could aid you in never losing your car key lost replacement key ever again.