How to Get Spare Key For Car
Losing your keys to your car can be quite stressful. There are several ways to replace them.
The first step is to locate them yourself. Check your bags and pockets and walk around the house.
Before visiting the dealership or a locksmith, make sure to have proof of ownership such as your registration number or title for your vehicle. This will save you money.
1. Contact Your Dealership
It's beneficial to have an extra key for your car since losing them could be costly and stressful. Although it's not as simple as it was in the past to obtain a spare car key, there are many ways to find one.
Contacting the dealership is the easiest method to get a spare key. Dealerships keep a record of security information for each vehicle and are able to quickly locate yours in their system. They'll need to make you a key, and then pair it to your vehicle. This can cost of spare car key anywhere from $200 to $500, depending on the location, dealership and make of your car.
Another option is to have a locksmith create you the standard key. This can be cheaper than going to the dealership in particular if your car is older and doesn't come with a more advanced key. Make sure to check your warranty, insurance policy or auto club membership to see if you can pay.
Today's vehicles have a more sophisticated key, which is much more expensive to replace than a standard key. The keys are equipped with transponder chips that communicates with the vehicle's systems to allow the vehicle to start and unlock the engine. If you lose your smart key, it'll need to be paired with your vehicle, which can only be done at the dealership.
If your car is leased, the dealer may require you to return two sets of keys or key fobs at expiration of the lease. If this is the case, it's important to have a spare and make sure you have it before the lease is up.
It's more expensive to purchase an extra key, but it's still worth it if you wish to avoid stress and costly repairs in the near future. It's best to be ready for any scenario. Keep a spare key in a secure place and know what you need to do if your keys are ever lost.
2. Contact for a locksmith
It's no secret that losing your keys to your car is a hassle. It can be a bit frustrating to discover that you've forgotten your spare car keys in the backseat of your car, whether you're at a gas station, grocery store, or returning home from work. There are a variety of ways to replace your keys without paying an expensive locksmith or dealership.
If you have a traditional key, like a regular double-edged car key, you are able to go to your local hardware store to purchase an alternative for less than $10. You'll need to provide proof of ownership such as the registration or title for your vehicle. It may be more difficult to replace a key that's more technologically advanced, such as a smart key or remote fob. You may need to call your local locksmith or the manufacturer to have a new key created for you.
The majority of modern vehicles have a transponder key that needs to be programmed with the vehicle's computer. This can be done by a locksmith, but will cost more than replacing the standard key. You can also reset your key by following the directions in the owner's manual, but this can be laborious and time-consuming, and it won't always work.
You can lessen the chance of losing your keys in the first place by having a designated space to keep them. You can hang a key holder close to your door or put them in the form of a bowl on tables. You can keep a key ring with you at all times, so you are always aware of where your keys are. It is also possible to tidy up your home or office since a messy home can make it more likely to lose items. Keep in mind that even if the keys are never lost, you could lose them. In case of an emergency, it's important to have an emergency plan. It's always better to be prepared rather than stranded on the side of the highway!
3. Contact toll-free Towing Service
It's a great idea to have an extra set of keys if you are someone who loses their car keys frequently. They're easy to store and affordable and will spare key for cars you a lot of stress in future. Many newer vehicles have safety features that make it harder to lock yourself locked out of car no spare key. Take a look at the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a car with this feature, or consider upgrading your car to one with it.
There are many ways to replace your car key but the details will vary depending on the type of key you have and the way it was lost. For instance, if you have an older key that isn't digitally programmed, locksmiths should be able to replace it quickly. A smart key could make the process more complicated. The dealer will need to verify the VIN and provide proof of ownership to get an alternative key for you and it could take a few days.
Car rental companies generally do not keep spare keys in their facilities however, they'll usually work with you to get the issue solved. Hertz offers a lost-key assistance as part of its premium roadside assistance plan. However this service isn't provided when you don't purchase additional roadside protection coverage.
If you are unable to get assistance from your rental provider, or in the event that you don't have an emergency roadside service plan with them then you'll have to call a locksmith or a towing service. Both can allow you to get back to your vehicle and on the road, but each have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is important to look into each option and keep the contact details of both companies on hand just in case. Avoid losing your keys by every means. This means that you put them in the same place every time, and not leaving them in your pocket of your coat or on top of your car when parking.
4. Contact an Repair Shop
It is best to plan ahead in case you lose your keys. In the past, losing your car keys or losing it was a minor issue. Nowadays, this can be a major problem. The good part is that if smart about it, getting a spare car key isn't nearly as difficult and costly as it was in the past.
It is first necessary to determine the type of key that your vehicle is using. The keys that have a mechanical shank which inserts into the ignition are simple to replace. A basic key without chip costs between $10 to $12. However, more recent cars have keys that come with security chips that must be reprogrammed by the car to open the doors or start it. Keys replacement for these cars could cost up to $200.
The process of changing the chip's programming is complicated and requires specialized equipment. A locksmith might also be able perform this service, but it's important to find one who has the proper experience and tools.
Another option is to go to a key cutting shop like AutoZone where a staff member will use a key that is working and trace its contours. The key cutting shop will be able to cut a key that matches the original's cut. The only downside to this is that you won't be able to drive your vehicle until you have the new key cut and programmed to your vehicle.
If you're considering trying this method, make sure you bring the actual working key along with your driver's license and evidence of ownership. A dealer or locksmith can decode the VIN on these documents to locate the code required to pair a key with your car.
You can also reduce the cost for spare car key of programming by getting an entirely new key created and then trying to reset it yourself. Most manufacturers will have instructions on how to do this in the owner's manual. Or, you can look up "How to program a (your year, make and model) key" online.