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How to Replace Lost Car Keys

You're tired, so change into your sweats and grab some pizza to watch your favorite TV show. You find that your car keys are missing.

Before you panic, know your options. There are a few different methods to replace car keys that have been lost however, the majority of them require the dealership or a professional locksmith.

Check the locks on your car.

It is best to look in your car first when you lose your keys. We often don't know the location of our keys, especially when we're busy or distracted. Fortunately finding keys to your car isn't difficult if you take the time to do an exhaustive search in your vehicle.

Begin by sitting in the driver's seat. Examine every inch of the vehicle by moving the seats up and down, as well as back and back and forth. Also, look around zippered areas or small compartments to find keys. Check your purse, backpack or tote bag for keys.

Many modern cars come with key fobs that let you to lock and unlock your car remotely. They usually have an internal transponder chip that communicates with the car in order to let you in and start the engine. If you've lost your car key fob, you'll need to visit a dealership to have an alternative one created.

Some older vehicles still have keys made of metal that fit inside an ignition cylinder. If you lose these keys, a locksmith might be able create a replacement key for you if you have proof of ownership like your registration or title.

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

Before you pay for an auto key replacement, be sure to consider your insurance policy. You may be able claim on your comprehensive insurance plan to pay for the cost of purchasing an additional car key. It's also worth asking your car insurance company if they have roadside assistance coverage that will help you in the event of an emergency. The good news is that there are now numerous companies that offer roadside assistance plans, so you should be able to find services near you.

Check your vehicle's identification (VIN).

The vehicle identification number is an alpha-numeric number that is unique to 17 numbers for every vehicle on the road. It's used to identify vehicles, monitor inventory, report crashes and thefts, and much more. In the United States the VIN is typically stamped on a label or a plate that is attached to your dashboard, driver-side door jamb and sometimes even behind the motor block. Your VIN can be found in other places like your registration for your vehicle as well as title and insurance documents.

It's important to keep your VIN secure as it is unique to you and your vehicle. If you lose your keys you can easily and quickly get a new one made using the VIN. Locksmiths can decode the VIN and retrieve the manufacturer's code for the model you have. This will work with your lock.

Most passenger cars have their VIN on a sticker that's placed between the windshield and the dash on the driver's side. You can also look for it on the door jamb on the driver's side or on the side of the engine block on larger trucks as well as other commercial vehicles. Certain VINs are etched directly into the windows or windshields of your vehicle as a security measure.

Enter your VIN into an online VIN decoder. This will provide you with an in-depth report on your vehicle's model, manufacturer body type, engine size, assembly facility, and year of production.

VINs first came into use in 1954, but until 1981, they came in a variety of configurations. In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standardized VINs to the current format of 17 characters.

If your VIN is correct, then you will be able to purchase new keys at the majority of dealerships and automotive locksmiths, depending on the kind of key your vehicle requires. For instance, if your car requires an ignition chip you'll have to visit an auto locksmith or dealer that can replace your key with one that will be able to start your vehicle. Otherwise, you can simply get standard keys from hardware stores.

Contact Your Dealership

It wasn't too long ago that losing your car keys weren't an issue. You could simply contact your local dealership to get new keys made. Today, it's more complicated than that. The dealership may not be the best place to go for replacing your car keys that have been lost.

Although you could purchase a traditional key at the dealership, the best option is to contact an automotive locksmith. They're more likely be capable of getting you back on the road quickly and will probably charge less than the dealership would.

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

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

If you have an electronic key that's been lost or stolen, you'll have to visit your dealership for it to be replaced. This is because the security features of your car keys lost what to do require a specific type of key in order to reset and function properly.

This process is more complicated than it was in the past so make sure you're willing to pay the additional price to have this feature restored. If your original key is damaged or stolen the dealership will be able to provide you with an identical backup. If you opt to do this ensure that you have all the information needed including a photo ID. This will make it easier for all to complete the process.

Call a Locksmith

The most important step to take when replacing lost car keys is to call an experienced locksmith. A reputable locksmith will be able to cut and program a new key for your car while you wait. However, they'll require the year model, make and model of your car along with evidence that you own it (a copy of your registration or title will suffice).

Make sure you check all possible locations for your keys prior to you contact a locksmith. Check pockets on the pants, jackets and purses. Also check any other bags you may have used. You could also search for your keys in places that you wouldn't normally place them, like on the floor under the doorway table or under the couch. If you've tried all these methods and still are struggling to locate your keys, it's time for you to contact someone.

For traditional keys, a locksmith will be able to repair them on the spot for around $20. This is cheaper than what you would pay for roadside assistance to tow your car to the dealer and purchase a replacement key.

In many cases, a locksmith can also cut and program keys for more advanced models of automobiles, such as smart keys, switchblade keys, transponder keys, and switchblade keys. These more complex keys might require you to provide the VIN number of your car, but professional locksmiths should have the right tools to cut and program the key right on the spot for you.

Many locksmiths are also able to remove broken or bent keys that are usually the result of accidentally locking them in your vehicle. The attempt to remove a broken key by yourself could cause more damage, and this task should be left to experts.

A locksmith can help replace keys that are lost in your car and offer tips on how to prevent future keys from being lost or stolen. Preventive steps, like keeping an extra set of keys at home or in your wallet can make a huge difference in ensuring that you don't lose your car keys ever again.