A Productive Rant About Lost Car Key
What to Do If You Lose Your Car Keys It can be frustrating to lose your car keys. Things can get lost in the chaos of school pick-ups, grocery shopping trips and other chores. Remember to not panic. Making a note of your steps and searching thoroughly will usually result in finding the key. 1. Retract Your Steps It's not a secret that keys are the most frequently lost items. It can happen to anyone, no matter if you're running an errand, distracted when you get out of your car, or at home, trying to get ready for work and then dropping your keys. There are some steps you can take before calling a locksmith if you've lost your keys. First, you'll want to retrace your steps. This can be difficult when you're in a panic, but it's important to keep track of where you last looked at your keys, as well as the places you went after that. It might be useful to write down the steps you did so that you can look them up later. If you've tried retracing your steps and still can't find your car keys, it might be time to begin looking at more obvious places. Be sure to check the pockets or bags you've worn during the day, as well as your house. Keep in mind that your keys may be located nearby, but not in the location you'd expect. You can also search for your keys by looking around other items they're usually paired with like the laptop, purse or wallet. If you've gone through all of these options but still can't find your keys, it could be time to call an 24 hour locksmith to help. Before calling a locksmith, try these suggestions to prevent your keys from disappearing again. 2. Get a Spare Key Car keys have an amazing ability to disappear into coat pockets, under couch cushions, or just disappear completely. It used to be easy to replace keys that were lost at any locksmith or hardware store. However, with the advancements in technology for key fobs it's now much more difficult to get the replacement keys for keys lost. It's best to always keep a spare car key on hand. A spare key will save you from having to call a tow truck, and will make getting your vehicle back losing your key much simpler. It is recommended to keep the spare key in a different location than your keychain so that it's less likely to lose. Consider purchasing a spare if you don't already have one. This will decrease the likelihood of losing your keys. It is common to have a traditional car key made by a locksmith or a dealership, depending on the model of your car. It is important to remember that the dealer might need to program the key to match your specific vehicle. Many modern cars are equipped with keyless entry systems that allow you to unlock your car with the remote control. If you lose the fob the only way to get it back is to go to the locksmith or dealer to have them match a replacement fob with your vehicle. To prevent this from happening, establish a routine to place your keys in the same spot each time you return home. You can put your keys in a bowl, or on a hook on the front porch or even on the table at the entrance. 3. Empty your pockets It's an awful feeling to lose your car keys. You may feel helpless and panicked if you lose your car keys. Luckily, panicking won't help you find your keys. In fact, it may even make things worse. Try to remain calm and follow the steps listed below to locate your keys as quickly as you can. Begin by thinking about your day and recalling the last spot you visited them. Go through all your bags and pockets if you recall that they were in your wallet. You can also repeat the steps you followed to see if they were found anywhere in the world. You can also check your vehicle, but you'll have to thoroughly search the exterior and the interior. If you've looked everywhere and still can't find your lost car keys, it's time to move on to more sophisticated searches. This could include searching in the fridge and freezer to find your keys. You'll have to open and shut both of these appliances and feel around inside, as you never know where tiny items might have been hidden. Attaching your keys to a long chain or lanyard is a effective way to ensure you don't lose keys. This will help you keep track of them and also make them more difficult to misplace due to the noise they make and the length of the chain or lanyard. It is also beneficial to place your keys in a bright color so that they stand out against other items in your handbag or pockets. 4. Contact the police The first step to take after losing your keys is to call the police. Reporting the lost car keys immediately is crucial so that you do not have to worry about someone else using your vehicle or entering your home. In addition, reporting your loss at an early stage also benefits you in terms of insurance coverage as most policies cover locksmith costs and replacement keys at the dealership. When you call the police and they'll inform you whether your keys were discovered by someone or have been stolen. They'll also give you some advice on how to prevent the theft of your keys. If your keys aren't found they'll likely be asking you for information about the date you lost them, and where you were before that. Check your pockets, bags and other places where you typically carry the key. After you've done that take a walk through your day and try to remember where you lost them. You might have tossed them on a table, or in your bag after reaching for something. If you own a transponder key that operates electronically, it will need to be paired with the car and this can only be done at the dealership. It could cost you a few hundred dollars or more, based on the brand and model of your vehicle. You can also contact GEICO for assistance with roadside emergencies, which is always available via the GEICO app. This service could save you time and money by offering an on-the-go locksmith service for you. 5. Contact a locksmith If you place your keys in your trunk while making errands, they could easily disappear. This is a scenario that plays out often, considering that keys missing from cars are the 3rd most lost item in America1. It's impossible to stop this from happening constantly. But you can take steps to minimize your chance of losing them. A spare key is a good idea but it does not ensure that you will not lose the original. A keychain with a tracking device will assist you in finding your keys in the event that they are lost. A tracking device will send an alert to your smartphone when it detects the signal from your lost keys which makes it easier to find. If you are unable to locate your car keys, you should contact locksmiths to come out and replace the keys. If you can provide evidence of ownership, like the title or registration of your vehicle, a locksmith will be able to create a key for you. Traditional keys are the simplest to replace, however If you own an intelligent key or remote key fob you'll need to contact your dealer to get one custom-made specifically for you. You can also buy replacement keys online, but make sure to verify if the key you purchase can be programmed for your specific vehicle. Losing your car keys could be stressful However, it doesn't have to be. If you follow the suggestions listed above, you can retrieve your keys and get back on the road. Remember to stay calm and do not panic! lost keys in car to remember is that you're not alone Every car owner loses keys at some time or another.