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Ten Replace Lost Car Keys That Will Help You Live Better
How to Replace Lost Car Keys

You're tired and ready to put on your favorite sweatshirt, grab some pizza, and watch the latest TV show. You discover that your car keys have disappeared.

Before you panic, consider your options. There are many ways to replace car keys that have been lost but the majority involve the dealership or a professional locksmith.

Check the locks on your car.

It is best to look in your car first if you lose your keys. We often don't know the location of our keys, especially when we're distracted or in a rush. Finding keys lost in the car can be fairly simple in the event that your vehicle is thoroughly searched.

Start by sitting in the driver's seat. The seats can be moved back and forwards as well as upwards and downwards to check every inch of your vehicle for your car keys. Be sure to feel around compartments with zippers and small spaces for keys, too. Examine your backpack, purse or tote bag for keys.

A lot of modern cars come with key fobs that allow you to lock and unlock the car from an extended distance. Usually, these devices have an internal transponder chip that communicates with the car to let you in and start the engine. If you've lost your car's key fob, you'll need to visit a dealership to have a new one created.

Certain older cars still have traditional keys made of metal that fit inside an ignition cylinder. If you lose one of keys, it's likely that locksmiths are capable of creating a new key for you, as long as you can provide evidence of ownership, like your registration or title.

You can also get an entirely new replacement from a dealer, but this will be much more expensive. The dealer must connect an electronic chip to your car. This can cost between $200 and $250 depending on the model and make.

Before you make a payment for the replacement of your car key, be sure to consider your insurance policy. If you have a comprehensive insurance policy you may be able to claim on it to pay for the cost of a new key. Check with your insurance provider if you have roadside service coverage. This could come in handy should you ever require it. There are a variety of companies that provide roadside assistance packages. You should be able to locate one close to you.

Check your vehicle's identification (VIN).

The number for identification of the vehicle is an alpha-numeric code with 17 digits for each vehicle on the road. It is used to identify vehicles as well as track inventory. It is also used to report accidents and thefts. In the United States the VIN is typically a sticker or plate that's attached to your dashboard, driver's side door jamb, and sometimes in front of the motor block. Your VIN can be found in other documents like your registration for your vehicle as well as title and insurance documents.

It is essential to keep your VIN secure as it is unique to you and your car. If you lose your keys you can quickly and easily get new keys that is based on 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 label located at the point where the windshield meets the dash on the driver's side. You can also find it on the driver's side door jamb or on the front of the engine block on larger trucks and other commercial vehicles. In some cases it is possible that the VIN is even embedded on your windows or windshields as part of a security measure against theft.

You can verify your VIN by entering it into a web-based VIN decoder. This will give you an in-depth look at your vehicle including the model, manufacturer, body type, engine size, assembly facility and year of manufacturing.

VINs first came into use in 1954. However, until 1981, they were available 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 number is correct, you can get new keys from a variety of locksmiths, automotive or dealerships based on the type of key your vehicle requires. For instance, if your car requires an ignition chip you'll need to visit a dealer or locksmith that will replace your key with one that can start your vehicle. You can also get regular keys from hardware stores.

Contact Your Dealership

It wasn't too long ago that losing your car keys wasn't an issue. You could contact your local dealership to get a new set of keys made. It's a lot more difficult today. The dealership might not be the best option for replacing your car keys that have been lost.

While you can certainly still obtain a traditional key from the dealership, your best bet is to contact an automotive locksmith. They can get you back on the way faster and charge less than the dealership.

Before calling anyone to replace your lost car keys, note down the number of your vehicle identification (VIN). This is crucial because it will be required to create a new replacement car key for your vehicle. The VIN is located on the dashboard of your vehicle, or may be printed in your owner's guide.

Dealerships are able replace cars keys for most manufacturers. However, it's not a assurance that they'll be able help you. It is dependent on your model and make, and if the keys are smart or are complex in their programming. Bring your car to the dealership and request a service manager if you aren't sure if they can help.

If your smart key was lost or stolen it must be replaced at the dealership. This is because the security features of your car require a specific kind of key to reset and function correctly.


This process is much more complicated than it was in the past and you should make sure you're willing to pay the additional price to restore this feature. Dealers can also provide you with another key that's identical to the original one in the event that your lost one was damaged or stolen. If you choose to do this ensure you have all the information needed including a photo ID. This will help everyone to go through the process.

Contact a locksmith

A locksmith's call is the first step to replace lost keys to your car. A locksmith with experience will be able to program and cut a new car key while you wait. They will require the year, make, and model of your vehicle with proof of ownership (a copy of your registration or title).

Before you call a locksmith over the phone However, you must ensure that you've checked every possible spot where your keys may be. This includes checking pockets in pants and jackets or purses, as well as any other bags you might have used. You can also search for your keys in places you wouldn't normally look, such as the floor behind the table behind the doorway or underneath the couch. If you've done this but are still unable to locate your keys, it's time to seek help.

For keys that are traditional locksmiths will be able to repair keys in a matter of $20. This is a lot less expensive than having roadside assistance tow your car to a dealership to purchase a new one.

Locksmiths can often program and cut new keys for cars that have more advanced features, including transponder keys, smart keys or switchblade keys. Some of these more complex keys require you to provide the VIN number for your vehicle, but a locksmith is likely to be able do it on the spot.

Many locksmiths can also take out keys that are bent or broken, which are usually caused by locking them inside your vehicle. The attempt to remove a broken key by yourself could cause more damage, so this task should be left to experts.

A locksmith can help you replace lost car key s and also provide guidance on how to prevent future keys being misplaced or stolen. Making preventative measures, such as keeping a spare set of keys at home or in your wallet can go a long way towards ensuring that you don't lose your car keys ever again.

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