The Most Common Spare Key For Car Mistake Every Newbie Makes How to Get Spare Key For Car

Losing your car keys can be very stressful. There are a variety of ways to replace them.

get a spare car key made is to locate them yourself. Check your pockets, bags and even the whole house.

Make sure you bring proof of ownership before you visit a dealership or a locksmith. This could be your vehicle title or registration. This will save you money.

1. Contact Your Dealership

The idea of having a spare car key is a great idea, since losing your car keys could be very costly and stressful. While it isn't as easy as it used to be to obtain a spare car key, there are many ways you can still find one.

Contacting the dealership is the most efficient method to get a spare key. Dealerships keep a record of security information for every vehicle and are able to quickly locate your key in their database. They will need to create you a key and pair it to your car. This can cost anywhere between $200 and $500 based on the location, the dealership and make of your car.

A locksmith can also create you keys of standard size. This can be cheaper than visiting a dealership, especially if your car is older and doesn't have a more advanced key. It is also advisable to check your car's warranty, car insurance policy, or auto club membership to see if they will pay for the replacement of your key fob.

Today's vehicles have a more sophisticated key that is more expensive to replace than a traditional key. These keys have a transponder chip 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 connected to your vehicle, which can only be done at the dealership.

If your vehicle is leased, your dealer may require you to return two sets of keys or key fobs by the expiration of the lease. If this is the case, it's crucial to have a spare key and ensure that you have it before the lease is up.

It's more expensive to get a spare key, but it's still worthwhile if you want to avoid stress and expensive repairs in the future. It's best to be ready for any situation. Keep your spare key in a safe location and know what you should do if your keys are ever lost.

2. Call a locksmith

It's no secret that losing car keys can be an absolute pain in the neck. If you're at a gas station, the grocery store, or on your way home from work it can be extremely frustrating to realize that you have left your spare key in the back of your car! There are many ways to replace your keys, without having to pay a dealership or locksmith.

If you own a traditional key, such as a standard double-edged car key, you can visit your local hardware store and get a replacement key for less than $10. However, you'll need to provide evidence of ownership, like the vehicle registration or title. It may be more difficult to replace a key which is more advanced in technology, such as an intelligent key or remote fob. You might have to contact an emergency locksmith in your area or the manufacturer to have an entirely new key.

Transponder keys are found in a majority of modern automobiles. They have to be programmed into the car's computer. Locksmiths can do this for you, but it will be more expensive than replacing an old key. You can also reset your key using the instructions found in your owner's manual. However, this can be lengthy and complicated, and may not always work.

You can lower the risk of losing your keys by having a dedicated place to put them. You can hang a key holder close to your door, or put them in an empty bowl on the table. You can always keep a key ring around with you to know where your keys will be. It is also possible to tidy up your office or home since a messy home is a higher risk that you will lose things. Keep in mind that even if the keys are never lost, you may forget them. It's essential to have an emergency plan in case this occurs. It's always better to be prepared than stuck on the side of the highway!

3. Call a Towing Service

If you're the kind of person who is constantly losing your car keys it is recommended to purchase a spare. They're fairly inexpensive and simple to keep in your car and will save you lots of stress in the future. A lot of newer cars have safety features that make it harder to be locked out of the vehicle. Take a look at the latest inventory at Longo Toyota to find a vehicle with this feature, or consider upgrading your vehicle to one that has it.

While there are many ways to get your car keys replaced, the exact procedure will depend on the type of key you have and how it was lost. For instance, if have an old-fashioned key that's not digitally programmed, locksmiths is likely to be able replace it with ease. If you have a digital key however, this could be a more complex procedure. The dealer will need to verify the VIN and provide proof of ownership to get a replacement key and it could take several days.

Car rental companies usually don't keep spare keys on their premises However, they'll often assist you in getting the problem solved. Hertz provides a lost-key service as part of its premium roadside assistance plan. The service is not offered if you do not purchase additional roadside protection.

If you're unable to get assistance from your rental provider, or in the event that you don't have an emergency roadside service plan in place you'll need to contact an emergency locksmith or towing service. Both will help you get back into your vehicle and on the road but each comes with advantages and disadvantages. It is essential to research both options before choosing a service, and also to keep the contact information for both in case you ever need them. Be sure to keep your keys safe by all means. This means you should always put them in the same place.

4. Contact an Repair Shop

When you lose your car keys, it's always recommended to have a plan for how to get back inside the vehicle. In the past, losing your car keys or losing it was a minor issue. Nowadays, this can be a major issue. If you're smart, it's not as costly or difficult to purchase an extra key as it once was.

The first thing you'll need do is determine what kind of key your car has. The keys that have an electronic shank that is inserted into the ignition are simple to replace. A basic key with no chip will cost around $10-$12. The most recent vehicles have keys with security chips into them that need to be programmed to unlock doors or start the vehicle. Getting an alternative key could cost up to $200.


The process of programming these chips is a complex process and requires specialized equipment. This service can also be performed by a locksmith, but you must ensure that they have the appropriate equipment and expertise.

Another option is to go to a key cutting shop, such as AutoZone, where an associate will pick up a working key and trace its contours. The key cutting shop will be able cut a key that is in line with the original's cuts. The only downside is that you won't be allowed to drive your vehicle until you've had the new key cut and programmable to the vehicle.

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

You can also reduce the cost of programming by having a new key made and then trying to reset it on your own. You can find instructions in the owner's guide or on the internet.