In decades past, misplacing a set of car keys or worse, losing them wasn’t necessarily the end of the world. Spare sets were easy to come by, with most people even keeping them tucked away somewhere in the car’s exterior. As technology has advanced, though, and keys alongside cars have become more complicated, the headache and price tag associated with a key misplacement has only grown.
Depending on the model and year of the vehicle you own, a stolen or lost car key replacement can sometimes take multiple steps and cost hundreds of dollars. It’s important to always have a backup key available in a safe space should issues arise, but if that isn’t the case, and you now find yourself without the key needed to use your vehicle, this article will explore what to do if you lose your car keys.
Lost Car Keys, No Spare?
If you’ve lost your car keys and have no spare handy, your only option will be to hope that it pops up in an area near you. To give yourself the best chance of success in finding your misplaced key, you should try the following:
Search The Area
As strange as it may seem, your car key couldn’t have gotten up and walked away. If your keys aren’t visible, and you have no recollection of where you last put them, digging through your surrounding area will be the quickest way of finding them.
Check Your Vehicle
Modern technology has introduced a whole suite of new conveniences, like push-to-start vehicles that don’t require your keys to be in the ignition. If you’re having difficulty finding your keys, it’s likely that they were left somewhere in your car from the last time you drove – including the glove box, centre console, or door cubby.
Gather Vehicle Information
If all hope is lost and you’re sure that the keys are gone for good, an important next step is to gather vehicle information so that you can visit a local locksmith and replace your lost car key. This information will include:
– Vehicle make and model
– Vehicle registration number
– Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
– Personal identification
What Type of Car Keys Have You Lost?
In order to successfully replace your lost car key, it’s important that a locksmith know the type of key you owned. Below are the categories under which your car keys will fall:
Traditional Car Key
These are the most basic of car keys – no fancy bells or whistles here. A traditional car key will be nothing more than a metal key portion and a rubber/plastic handle.
Car Key Fob
A car key fob is a remote control that allows you to lock, unlock, and arm your vehicle from outside. These small plastic devices will typically have three or four buttons on them and are accompanied by a traditional key or have a key ignition portion attached.
Switchblade Key
Switchblade keys are car key fobs with a button that expose a key for your car’s ignition. These keys are typically compact in size, with the steel key portion swinging out from the unit’s side only when needed.
Transponder Key
Transponder keys are in most vehicles 20-years or newer, and they are keys with a chip that has been programmed to the specific vehicle. A transponder key will look like a traditional fob/key, but will only work for the vehicles it’s been programmed to.
Keyless Ignition Key
For most modern cars (2015 or newer), keyless ignition keys have become the standard. The keys look similar to fobs of the past, but they have no actual metal key portion, as all that’s required to operate the vehicle is that they are within a certain proximity of it. If you can push a button to start your car, this is the key you have.
Where Can I Get a New Car Key Made Without the Original?
To replace a lost or stolen key, there are a few different options available, including both local dealerships and professional locksmiths.
The dealership where you purchased the vehicle (or a local dealership of the same brand) will be able to issue and program a new key for your vehicle. Although the seemingly more convenient option, visiting a local dealership for a car key replacement will also be the most expensive route you can take.
A professional locksmith, on the other hand, will be able to cut and program a new key for your vehicle far more affordably. Using the vehicle information you have gathered, they will be able to affordably create a new primary and secondary key with ease.
How Can You Make a New Car Key Without a Spare?
Using the vehicle information outlined earlier in this article, a professional locksmith will be able to see the key specifics for your vehicle and create a replica that is properly cut and programmed for use. Although a spare makes the job earlier – and will often keep the cost slightly more affordable – it’s certainly possible to create a new key for your vehicle when a spare does not exist.
What Does It Cost to Get a New Set of Car Keys?
The cost of an ignition key replacement varies greatly depending on the make and model of the vehicle – ranging from $50 all the way to $350+. A locksmith will be a far more affordable solution than a local dealership, but because of the complexity of each replacement job there isn’t a set price scale established.
If you’ve managed to lose your car keys and are now in need of professional locksmith support, the Rapid Locksmith team is here to help. With years of experience in the locksmith space, our expert team has the knowledge and toolkit necessary to solve any key replacement issue at hand. Contact our team today for fast, reliable, affordable locksmith services.
