If you've ever lost your car keys, you know the panic that sets in.
You may not be able to get to work, or worse, you can't get your locked car out of the parking lot if you did not have your key cut for a spare set and only had one key. Here are a few tips to help you find your lost car keys quickly and easily. First, try retracing your steps. If you were just at home, maybe they're on the kitchen table? They might be in your purse or pocket if you were at the grocery store. If that doesn't work, check around your car for your lost car keys. Sometimes people drop their keys near the door or under the seat. Grab some needle-nosed pliers from your toolbox and search around and under the edges of your car's doors or the seat. If you've checked all of those places and still can't find your lost car keys and you don't have a spare key, it's time to call an auto locksmith. They can help you get past your locked car door and into your car or even make a new key for you. An auto locksmith typically charges by the hour for their services, so be prepared to spend a few bucks if you need their help.
Replacing lost car keys can become an expensive process depending on your make and model and the service rate of auto locksmiths. Most automakers recommend purchasing new keys together with the transponder chip from their dealership when you have lost your car keys, which can run you more than $200. However, an automotive locksmith out there can make a spare key for cheaper with access to the lock code to prevent cutting the lock barrel.
If you've lost your car keys and you do not have a spare car key, there are a few things you need to know before going to the auto locksmith. Not all keys are created equal, and not all auto locksmiths can make every key type. You'll need to bring your car with you so that the auto locksmith can take a look at it and see what kind of new car key it needs.
The most common key type is called a "tumbler" or "flat" key. It is the standard key that a new car will likely come with and is usually easy for a locksmith to replicate. Another common type is the ''remote'' key. This type has a transponder chip that allows you to start your car without putting it in the ignition. A remote key can be expensive, but it's usually worth it if you live somewhere that gets cold or has inclement weather. Some electronic keys may require expert installation, otherwise they could cause problems such as draining the battery.A tumbler key, also known as a flat or standard key, has no transponder chip inside it. These are the most common keys found in cars today and are usually relatively inexpensive to replace. They work by having a series of pins that need to be aligned correctly for the key to turn and open or start the car.
If you've lost your tumbler key, you might need to have a locksmith come to you, which will incur a call-out fee. Depending on your make and model of car, auto locksmiths may be able to create a spare key for you on the spot or have to order it from the dealership. Either way, car key replacement shouldn't be too expensive.
A flat key, or standard key, is the most common type of key found in cars today. It gets its name from its thin, flat design that makes it easy to fit into your car's lock. This type of key has no transponder chip inside it and typically works by having a series of pins that need to be aligned in the correct order for the traditional key to turn and open or start the car.
Car remote keys are a type of modern car keys with a transponder chip inside them. This chip allows for keyless ignition where you don't have to put the traditional metal key in the ignition like in older cars. These car remote keys, also known as key fobs, have central locking and a push-button for ignition. Even though a car remote is usually more expensive than other types of keys, they're worth it if you live somewhere cold or have bad weather.
Car key replacement can be expensive, but it's not too difficult. Most automakers recommend purchasing a new car key from their dealership if you do not have spare keys, which can cost more than $200. However, experienced auto locksmiths may be able to make replacement car keys for you for less with access to your vehicle identification number for key programming.
A transponder key is a modern car key with a chip inside that allows you to start your car without putting it in the ignition. It also gives you access to other parts of the engine via a radio-frequency identification system. For this system to work, it needs both the key and the car's computer system, so if either part goes bad, then neither will function properly on their own. Typically, automakers recommend purchasing new transponder keys from their dealership, costing more than $200.
A smart car key looks just like any other standard tumbler or remote key, but it has an embedded transponder chip instead of having the chip placed in the plastic head of the key. While this means that it costs less than other types of keys with chips inside, it is less easy to get a replacement key. You should therefore keep it in a safe place.