What Should you Do if You Lose Your Car Keys and Have no Spare?

What can you do? Firstly you’re locked out of the vehicle and secondly if you could get in you have no key with which to start it. It might be a little late to say don’t panic but seriously don’t panic unless you’re a getaway driver and the cops are almost there. Then panic and consider a career change.

In this article we will try and help you prepare for that fateful day when you misplace your keys because it can be coming for all of us. A little forward thinking and planning can make just such a scenario a minimal fuss so please read on to find out more.

What if I Don’t Have a Spare?

Usually cars will come with at least two keys, one of which should be kept somewhere safe just in case, well you know you lose the first one. You may be sharing a car with someone else and they might have the spare.

So let's assume the spare was lost months ago or it is with someone who is too far away to be of any help right now. Things just got a little more serious but don’t panic because we are going to try and help you get back behind the steering wheel as quickly as possible.

What to Do if You Lose Your Keys

The answer to this question depends on what kind of car you have and how modern it is. In this section we will outline some of the steps you must take to get back in the car and heading down the road again.

Retrace Your Steps

It’s a tired sounding old cliché but seriously billions of items have probably been relocated across history by backtracking. The keys are not lost until you have searched for them and not found them first. If you are out running errands go back over where you were. Check at any stores or locations to see if your keys were found or handed in.

Scour the ground along the route you have walked and make use of your phone's flashlight to make sure the keys haven’t been kicked under something or fallen down a grate in the ground. Throughout this keep calm and think it all through.

Do not forget to check that the key is not still inside the vehicle. A surprising number of people will leave the key inside without thinking. If the car is not locked there is a definite possibility that they are in the vehicle.

Never discount a possibility. If you got a beer from the fridge the second you walked in last night check that you didn’t in your fatigue leave the keys in the refrigerator.

If you eventually come to the conclusion that you can not find these keys and there is no spare key then it’s time to start some problem solving.

Get a New Key

A car needs a key so the only options you have are acquiring a new one. If you have an older model vehicle you may need to enlist the help of a locksmith. Some locksmiths can rekey your car for you and supply you with new keys.

Newer cars have improved security so you will likely need to get the car towed to a dealership who can help you gain access and set you up with new keys. This will not be a cheap process and you have my sympathies on that.

Prepare a Spare Key

If you have not realized this already, a spare key is vital so once you get a new key you should get a second spare key at the same time. This should be kept somewhere safe but accessible to you or with someone who can come and help you should you lose your original set.

Dealing With Different Key Types

There are several different key types so there may be steps you need to take that you wouldn’t with other varieties of keys. In this section we will look at the types of car keys hopefully including the ones used in your car.

Traditional Keys

Found in old model cars or the most basic newer models these are the standard metal keys without all the bells and whistles. These are the keys that you put in the ignition and turn. With these keys a locksmith is your cheapest option.

They can come to you and help you get into the vehicle and potentially rekey your ignition. You will need to prove that the car is yours however so be prepared to do this as locksmiths are not looking to aid and abet grand theft auto.

Car Key Fob

The key fob is an electronic remote control of sorts that can lock and unlock the vehicle doors, You still require a metal key to start the car itself. If the fob and metal key are separate and you only lose the fob then you do not have too much to worry about.

The worst inconvenience you will have is to have to unlock and lock the door with the metal key like some kind of cave person. You can easily replace the key fob as aftermarket fobs are usually really easy to program.

Key Fob with Key

Commonly a key fob is built into the actual metal key so if you lose one then you lose both. In this case in the absence of a spare you will need to contact the dealership for a replacement fob. They should be able to cut a new key and reprogram a new fob.

Smart Key

Newer, more high end vehicles are increasingly using smart keys which just need to be in the proximity of the vehicle to allow you to start it. These are prone to being left in the car as people often place them in cup holders and forget to pick them back up.

Using a proximity sensor you just need the key in your pocket to allow you to start the vehicle with the touch of a button. If you lose this you will need to get a tow to a dealership where they can help you get a new key paired to your car's computer. As you might imagine it is among the most costly to replace as well.

Transponder Key

These keys as the name suggests contain a computer chip inside them that lets you wirelessly connect to the vehicle. This connection must be established to allow you to start the vehicle. Unfortunately this can be one of the most problematic to replace.

You will need the help of a dealership and you will need to prove ownership of the car to get the dealership's help and they may need a few days to complete this process for you. As with all things dealership it is going to cost money.

Top Tip

We live in a world of GPS and smartphones where we can fit tracking technology into a key fob. Get yourself a GPS tracker with an app that will allow you to trace your keys should they become lost. These devices fit on keyrings and pet collars so you can keep track of cats or runaway dogs as well.

Conclusion

Losing your car keys can be a real nightmare, one which can make you yearn for an older, more basic car. With the key technology of today's cars it can be pricey to get new keys but older vehicles can have locks replaced and rekeyed relatively inexpensively.

This article will hopefully have instilled the importance of always having a spare key and to be aware of where your keys are at all times.

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