Have You Lost Your Car Keys? Here’s What To Do Next

You might be very busy. Perhaps you were multitasking and you just noticed that you lost your car keys.

This situation is quite common though. Losing your car keys is not the end of the world but could disrupt your day to say the least.

A smart vehicle owner understand that things can easily get lost, which is the reason why you need to carry a spare key with you.

If you don’t have or cannot find your second key, then things begin to get slightly complicated. Fear not! You are still able to fix this problem.

Have you thought about getting a car key replacement? You could order a new key and keep it in a safe place. Below you will find 5 types of car keys and the steps you need to take to request a replacement.

Conventional car key

Let’s start by looking at the standard key which is a mechanical item that has been issued to car buyers globally.

If you lost your conventional car key, you will need to contact a locksmith to have them make a new one for you. Of course, a locksmith may not be able to help when it comes to unusual or certain old vehicles. So keep that in mind.

Another solution could be to purchase a new ignition lock cylinder and key from either an auto dealership or repair shop. Again, it all depends on the type of vehicle that you own.

Car key fob

In the automotive industry, a fob was considered an addition to the growing sense of convenience among modern auto shoppers.

You could use these fobs to lock and unlock your vehicle but you cannot start the engine without the use of the conventional key.

One major advantage about these items is that there is no need to panic once you lose them. Just use your conventional car key to start your vehicle

You could get a replacement of your fob by visiting your local dealership or auto repair for about $20 or even less.

Car flip key

Flip keys were created by combining both, the conventional key and the fob. This combination results in a mechanism that locks and unlocks a vehicle which is also attached to a key that folds into it.

Losing this key comes with expensive costs. You could pay around $125 to replace it owing to its design.

You could find these keys at local dealerships where they would cut and set it up for you. Of course, you could also buy a replacement online.

Transponder car key

This car key was brought to the market in an attempt to tackle security issues (such as, vehicle theft) in the early 1990s.

By design, transponders are ignition keys that come with a plastic head and a computer chip on it.

Transponders rely directly on the wireless connectivity that exist between your key and the car. An optimal connection will allow the ignition to engage.

Losing this car key could result in higher costs. Not only will you need to have your car towed to the dealership, but you’ll need to order a new key. This request may take several days to process.

In addition, the dealer will also have to pair the new key to your vehicle. On average, you will end up paying between $200 and $250 for a replacement.

Smart key

Modern vehicles that work with smart keys have an “start” button on the dash. This type of key relies on sensor technology which activates by calculating sensor proximity.

Once the vehicle detects the smart key, you could unlock the car and start the vehicle.

Losing your smart key result in the highest replacement costs today. As in transponders, you will need to have your vehicle towed to the dealership and request a new one.

Then the dealer will have to pair the new smart key to your vehicle. Since these keys are quite modern, replacement costs could amount to $320, excluding towing fees.

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