How Spare Key For Car Has Become The Most Sought-After Trend In 2023

how to get spare key for car (sources)

Losing your keys to your car could be a very stressful experience. There are several ways you can replace keys.

The first step is to locate them yourself. Examine your bags, pockets and the entire home.

Before you visit the dealership or locksmith ensure that you have proof of ownership such as your registration number or title for your vehicle. This will save you money.

1. Contact Your Dealership

A spare car key is a great idea, since losing your car keys can be very costly and stressful. There are still several methods to obtain an extra key for your car, although it's not as simple as before.

The easiest way to get an extra car key is to contact the dealership. Dealerships keep records of security information for each vehicle and can quickly find your key in their database. They will have to make you a key and pair it to your vehicle. This could cost anything from $200 to $500 depending on the location, the dealership and model of your car.

A locksmith can also make you keys of standard size. This can be cheaper than visiting a dealership in particular if your car is older and doesn't come with a more advanced key. It's also important to verify your car's warranty, insurance policy or auto club membership to see whether they'll pay for a new key fob.

The majority of cars today have a sophisticated, expensive key that is extremely difficult to replace. These keys have transponder chips that communicates with the vehicle's systems to unlock and start the engine. If you lose your smart key spare, it will need to be paired with your vehicle, which can only be done at the dealership.

It is important to note that if your vehicle is on lease, the dealer may have you turn in two sets of keys and key fobs when the lease expires. It is important to have an extra set of keys and key fobs in the event that this occurs.

It's more expensive to get an extra key, but it's worth it if you wish to avoid stress and costly repairs in the future. It's always best to be prepared prior to when you have a problem, so make a spare car key sure to keep your spare keys for car keys in a safe place and be aware of what to do in the event that you ever lose your car keys.

2. Call a locksmith

It's not a secret that losing your car keys can be an absolute discomfort to the neck. When you're at the gas station, at the grocery store or on your way home from work it can be extremely frustrating to realize that you've forgotten your spare key in the back seat of your car! Luckily, there are a few options to replace your keys without having to pay the locksmith or the dealership.

If you have a conventional key, like a regular double-edged car key, you can usually go to a local hardware store and get a replacement key for less than $10. You'll need to provide evidence of ownership, like the registration or title for your vehicle. If you have a more technologically advanced key, like a remote fob or smart key, it might be more difficult to replace. You may need to call your local locksmith or the manufacturer to have a replacement designed for you.

Transponder keys are utilized in a majority of modern vehicles. They must be programmed into the computer of the vehicle. This can be done by a locksmith, however it will cost more than replacing a standard key. You can reset your key by following the instructions found in your owner's manual. However, this can be lengthy and complicated and may not always work.

You can reduce your chances of losing your keys by having a specific place to put keys. You can put the bowl or key holder on a table next to your door. It is always a good idea to keep a key ring with you to can know where your keys are going to be. It is also a good idea to tidy up your office or home, as a messy environment can make it easier to lose things! Be aware that even if not prone to losing your keys, it's still possible that you could lose the keys! It's important to have a backup plan in the event that this occurs. It's always better to be prepared than being stuck on the side of the road!

3. Call a Towing Service

If you are the type of person who is constantly losing your car keys, it's a good idea to get a spare. They're easy to store and affordable and will spare you a great deal of stress in the future. Many newer vehicles have safety features that make it harder to lock yourself out. Take a look at the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a car with this feature, or consider changing your vehicle to one with this feature.

While there are many ways to get your car key replaced, the details will depend on the type of key you have and how it was lost. For example, if you have an old-fashioned key that's not digitally programmed, locksmiths should be able to replace it easily. A smart key could make the process more difficult. The dealer will have to run your VIN and provide proof ownership to get you an alternative key, which can take several weeks.

The majority of car rental companies don't keep spare keys in their facilities however, they will help you resolve the problem. Hertz for instance, does offer a lost key service as part of its premium roadside assistance plan. This service is not available if you do not purchase additional roadside coverage.

If your rental provider isn't able to assist you, or you do not have their emergency roadside service plan, the next option is to contact an towing service or locksmith. Both can help you get back in your car and on the roads, but they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. It's important that you study both options and keep the contact details of both providers on hand just in case. Also, you should avoid losing your keys in the first place. This means that you must always keep them in the same location.

4. Call an Repair Shop

If you lose your car keys, it's always better to have a strategy for how to get back inside the vehicle. It wasn't that long ago that misplacing or losing your keys was an inconvenience, but now it's often a big problem. The good part is that if clever about it, obtaining an extra car key isn't as difficult and costly as it used to be.

You'll first need to determine the type of key that your vehicle uses. Keys that are traditional, having an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition cylinder, are generally simple to replace. A basic key with no chip can cost between $10 and $12. However, modern automobiles use keys with built-in security chips that need to be programmed into the car in order to open the doors or start it. Keys replacement for these vehicles could cost up to $200.

These chips can be programmed at your local dealership however, the process is complex and requires special equipment. This service is also attainable by a locksmith, but you must ensure that they have the appropriate equipment and expertise.

A key cutting shop, like AutoZone is also a possibility. An associate will trace the contours of the working key. This will allow them to cut a new key that matches the cut of the original key. The only downside is that you won't be able drive your vehicle until you have the new key cut and programmed to your vehicle.

If you'd like to test this method out, you will require your driver's license as well as evidence of ownership. A dealer or locksmith can decode the VIN number on these documents to find the code required to connect a brand new key to your vehicle.

You can also reduce the cost of programming by purchasing an entirely new key created and then attempting to reset it yourself. Most manufacturers will include instructions on how to do this in the owner's manual, or you can simply search for "How to program a (your year model, make and year) key" online.