10 Unexpected Lost Car Key Tips

How to Recover a Lost Car Key
Losing your car key can be a stressful and emotional situation. However, you must remain calm and keep in mind that losing your keys does not need to be a big issue.
In contrast to traditional keys that simply opened doors and turned the ignition modern keys come with advanced technology. You should know what to do in the event you lose yours to avoid paying a high replacement cost.
Retract your steps
A lost car key can be a major headache for anyone who drives. There are fortunately, a variety of options to recover your keys.
It is recommended to retrace your steps. This simple trick can be extremely helpful in finding lost keys. You might have dropped keys in a hurry, and forgotten about them. Retracing your steps will help you remember where you were when you last saw them. You should also check any places you've been recently, even if you don't usually keep your keys in there. It's entirely possible that your keys got tossed out of a bag or pocket and are hidden somewhere you wouldn't expect.
Trackers are a great method to locate keys that have gone missing. This device is small, and it can be attached to keys. You can then use an app to locate them. This is only possible if you have electronic components within your keys, for example remote key fobs.
Contacting a locksmith in your area is the next step to take if you don't have a tracker device, or if you are unable to locate your keys. They can assist you with the creation of an entirely new key and then reprogram it to your vehicle's anti-theft device. However the process is generally expensive and can cost a few hundred dollars.
You may need to have your vehicle towed to a dealership to retrieve keys that were lost. It is best to have a spare key available and take preventative measures to stop losing keys in the first place.
If you lose your keys The most important thing is to remain calm. It's easy to panic when you're unable to locate your keys, but it'll be much more difficult to locate them if you start yelling at yourself. If you can't find your keys in a reasonable time frame then it's probably time to contact a locksmith or visit the dealership. Whatever you do, be sure to inform your insurance provider about the incident so that they can help if anything happens to your vehicle in the future.
Make sure you are aware of your hiding spots
If you want to keep your spare keys hidden it is important to pick the location that's not obvious for passers-by. Otherwise, you'll be an easy target for thieves. A plant pot or a flower box is the standard location where people store their extra keys, but this can be a big mistake. If a burglar gets your keys, they could also find your wallet and other valuables.
A popular hideaway is behind the front door. However, it can be difficult to access in the event that you are locked out. Special locks that look like normal locks and attach to the inside your door are available, but they can be quite expensive. It is possible to hide the key in the grass or under a mat. Some people employ fake rocks with a hidden compartment inside them.
It is not unusual to store keys in the car. However, this can be dangerous. Thieves are aware of this tactic and could be able of opening the gas cap from outside. If you're concerned about this, get an magnetic key holder to attach to the underside your vehicle. It resembles a license plate but is designed to hide the spare key.
You can also hide the key in your garage, particularly if it is detached. A key that is tucked into a corner on the side of the garage door will remain out of sight and reach unless you have an extension ladder.
Vinyl siding also makes for an ideal hiding spot because there are often slight splits that you can slide the key into. Be sure to secure a piece of fishing line to the key and then slide it into the siding until just small amounts of it are visible. This will stop the key from falling out if you accidentally bump it while searching for it.
You can also place the spare key at the top of an erect tree branch if have a lot of trees on your property. This is a great option if you live in a rural area with plenty of tree coverage, since most people won't consider checking this location for keys.
Try turning off the car.
In the past the loss of your car keys was not a huge issue. A locksmith could be called to help, and the price was usually about $20. Today, cars are becoming more and more technologically advanced which makes them more expensive to replace.
To start the engine in a modern car, there is a special computer chip that communicates with the vehicle's ECU. Without this, the car will not turn on. It's vital to have the correct key.
It is possible to start your car with an older, traditional style key. If lost my car key and have no spare doesn't work, you may have to speak with a locksmith in order to make a new key or call your car dealership.
Another option is starting the car with a spare key. A lot of new manual cars have spare keys, so this may be the best option. This is a little riskier and depends on the particular vehicle you are driving however, it is a possibility.
This process also requires technical know-how and tools. It also involves removing a part of the engine and isn't suitable for all. It's better to let a professional take care of this type of job, especially since you'll bypass a lot of the safety features in the car.
A spare car key is always an excellent idea in the event that you lose the original. You can buy an old-fashioned key, but a smart key or transponder is also available. These keys are more expensive and will require a visit to the dealer to purchase an updated one.
Walk Back Through Your Day
Everyone has had this experience when you lose your car keys. It's one of the most stressful things you can do since it immediately ruins your day. You're going be late for work, and your errands won't get done. You may even need to pay to replace your key fob when renting vehicles. It doesn't have to be this way. Follow these simple steps to prevent losing your keys ruining your day.
First of all, don't panic. Relax and take deep breaths to calm down and help you focus. It's an excellent idea to record the places you've been to so you can revisit the place and figure out the reason why your keys disappeared.
If you cannot remember where you placed them take a walk through your day. If you lost your keys while doing errands or shopping, go back and look over each place you stopped. Did you put them on a counter? You might have knocked them loose while grabbing something from your bag. Try to remember exactly the location you were when you saw them.
You should also look elsewhere. You may have put them in a pocket in the jacket you were wearing or in bags you brought with you. Be sure to check places you'd never think of, like the pockets of other people's clothing or beneath the cushion on your sofa.
If you're unable to find your car keys, contact someone for help. Ask your friends to see if they have seen keys, or better yet contact an locksmith. You do not want to end up paying for a second key or, even more importantly, have your vehicle stolen. A professional can assist you in getting your keys quickly and efficiently. It's also a good idea for you to have an extra car key, so be sure to keep it in a safe place.