How to Deal With a Lost Key in Your Car
Losing your car keys can be an unimaginable scenario. But it's not the end of the world if you know what to do.
First, find a spare key and keep it in your safe place or take evidence of ownership to the dealer to have a replacement programmed. You can lose your keys in a variety of ways, which will impact the ease or difficulty it is to replace them.
1. Keys that are worn out
Over time, car keys are exposed to a lot wear and wear and tear. They are often placed in locks and pockets, jiggling around and smacked against one another. This can cause them to lose their shape, which may cause them to stop fitting into the ignition cylinder correctly. The key will either become stuck or not turn if this happens. Whatever the case, it could be extremely difficult.
Luckily, it's easy to stop this from happening by creating extra copies of your car key when it is new. You can then rotate them to lessen the wear on each one. Additionally, if you do lose your car keys, you'll have a spare to use.
Another reason to consider an upgrade is that your key fob isn't functioning properly. They are extremely useful and can perform a variety of functions, such as opening doors, starting the engine, or even activating your alarm. This can happen for various reasons but the most frequent is that it's just worn down from daily use. They are tiny fragile and can be easily smashed in your bag or pocket. The buttons are prone to break or wear down.
If this happens the first thing you need to do is to thoroughly examine every place it could be, including your bag or jacket and even places where you wouldn't normally put them (like inside a shoeshine box). Contact your dealer and ask if they have spare keys on hand. If they don't have it in stock, they can order it and attach it to your vehicle. This isn't cheap but it's a lot better than the alternative.
You can also lower the chance of this happening by avoiding adding any other things to your key ring and regularly lubricating your keys and lock. This will ensure that both last longer and function properly. lost keys to my car is also recommended to keep an extra in a secure location, such as with family or friends. This way, you will always have the key when you require it.
2. Damaged Lock
If the key fits inside the lock but you can't turn it, it might be an issue with the lock itself. The lock tumblers could be blocked by dirt and debris, which could make the mechanism feel stiff. A locksmith can use an oil-lubricated tool to clean and lubricate a lock. This will allow it to feel more smooth.
A car lock that isn't able to turn could have been jammed by force. A thief may have attempted to open the door by using a tool like an axe or a bump key. If you find evidence of this on the door handle, you should take your car to a professional locksmith as soon as you can. The locksmith will be able to repair the damage and prevent further issues.
Certain locksmiths may provide a service to disable your old key in the vehicle, making it much more difficult for someone to steal your vehicle. You'll need to provide proof of your identity and prove that you own the vehicle before the process can begin. A V5C form with your name on it is likely to be accepted.
It is recommended to keep a spare car key in your trunk or on your person in the event that you lose it. A spare key will allow you to get back on the road swiftly and prevents you from needing to pay for locksmith.
You may have to call a professional locksmith to change the key based on the vehicle. Dealerships can supply replacement keys, but they'll need a towing cost and may need to purchase one for you, which can take days. A professional locksmith will be able to produce a key much quicker and at a lower cost. They might even be able to program it to communicate with your vehicle on autopilot. They also provide an array of additional services to help you keep your car safe like an re-sealing kit for doors or alarms that prevent theft. Find out more by visiting PolicyBachat.
3. Clogged Ignition Cylinder
Over time your key and ignition cylinder will wear out. A worn-out cylinder can jam or bind when it is removed, inserted, or turned which can interfere in starting and powering up your vehicle. These problems can develop slowly but they will become more apparent as time passes.
One of the most frequent signs of this problem is when the lock key cannot be put into the lock or incapable of rotating within the ignition cylinder. This is a sign the cylinder is in need of being replaced. You can try to replace the cylinder yourself, but it is usually better to have this done by an expert.
The ignition cylinder consists of a small metal cylindrical piece which is contained inside the lock cylinder housing. It contains two tumblers. Each tumbler has a specific position and only fits the key bumps that are correct. Over time, tumblers may become worn or clogged up with dirt. To get rid of this issue, you'll need to clean the cylinder port of the ignition. You can do this with tiny bottles of graphite oil. You can buy this at your local auto parts store and follow the directions on the label.
Take off the dashboard and steering wheel covers from your vehicle. This will allow you to observe the cylinder port clear. Look for a pin which is placed in the back of the cylinder. This is a security feature that prevents your vehicle from being stolen. If the ignition cylinder will not turn, you will have to remove the pin in order to allow it to slide out of the housing.
The process is straightforward enough, but requires some time. Before drilling the pin, make sure that the pin is in the accessory position. It is also possible to cause damage to your car's electrical or electronic systems if you drill in the wrong location. Make sure you mark the portion of the drill that extends from the keyway before drilling. This will serve as a warning to stop you from drilling too deeply and damaging the cylinder housing.
4. Locked Out
The first thing you need to do when you lock your keys in your car is to not panic. Stay calm. You may think you're in a bind, but there are many options to get back into your car without breaking the windows or calling a tow truck. Whether it's using shoelaces, packaging tape, bobby pins, Slim Jims or modified coat hangers made from wire The majority of these options will work with the correct tool or trick. However, it's important to be aware that not all methods will work and that you might need to contact a professional for assistance in certain situations.
The key is to always look for the least destructive solution first. If you're in an emergency, you may not like the idea of having someone else will open your car for you, but it is the best choice. Many roadside assistance plans provide their customers the option to enter their vehicle without having a car key.
Take a deep breath, and then walk around your car's exterior to check if you have your keys in any of the doors or the trunk. When you're in a rush it's easy to forget something as simple as the door handle or the rearview mirror. Make sure to look everywhere.
If you're unable to unlock your car, remain calm and call a neighbor or friend who is nearby for assistance. A stranger may be able to help if they don't wish to leave you in a bind. If they're not able to assist you then you should contact roadside assistance. You can also determine whether your insurance covers this.
Make sure you download the app from your car's manufacturer or use your smart phone to turn your phone into a key fob so you can keep your keys from being locked out in the future. You can also buy a key safe that is magnetic to store your spare keys in, which will keep them safe from thieves and hidden from.