Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
Losing your car keys could be a terrifying experience. Luckily, there are several ways to try before calling assistance at the roadside or a locksmith.
Follow your steps. This will help you locate your keys and provide an area to begin before you take further drastic measures.
1. Retract Your Steps
You could be stricken when you lose your keys. It's easy to lose them and you may not realize it until you're required to start your car or enter your home. It can be a hassle to get in your vehicle if you don't own an extra.
It's essential to remain at peace and then retrace your steps. This will allow you to locate your keys faster and save you from needing to contact an expert locksmith or dealer to get a replacement key. Your keys that are lost will generally be near you or in proximity to something you have been carrying. It's best to look through your pockets, purses and bags before you move on to retracing your steps.
Another great way to find your keys that are lost is to ask your family or friends members if they've seen them. You can gather valuable information from them and they will guide you in the right direction. This is especially helpful for those who have roommates or family members.
Check your car if you are unable to locate your keys after looking through your purses, wallets and bags. It could be that your keys are inside the vehicle and you just have to look in the right place to find them. This is a simple step that could save you a lot of headaches.
Get a professional's help if your keys aren't inside the vehicle. This will cost you some money, but it's worth it to avoid the stress of being locked out. In the future, you should consider getting a spare key made to avoid this issue completely. You can put an attractive keychain color on your keys to aid you in being able to see them. This will help you to always be aware of where your keys are and find them quickly. This is an investment of a few dollars that will pay off big time in the long time!
2. Empty Your Pockets
Losing keys to your car with no spare can be a very frustrating experience. It happens more frequently than you think and usually happens at the worst time such as when you're running late for work. The best thing to do in this scenario is to remain calm and follow the steps below.
The first step is to retrace your steps. This will help you identify the location and the time when you lost your keys. Afterwards, make sure to thoroughly check your bags and pockets. You should also look in any jackets or coats that you may have worn. You could also ask the staff at any restaurant or store you visited to see if the keys were in your possession.
It is easy to forget your keys in your clothes' pockets. This is especially relevant if your jacket coat has a large pocket. Also, you should be aware of the bags you carry. Purses, messenger bags and backpacks could all be places to hide keys. Examine the inside of your vehicle to determine whether you have keys.
Empty all pockets from the bags you carry around with you. Also empty your purse or messenger bag completely. This will help you see if any keys are stuck in the bag's lining. You can also use a flashlight to illuminate the darkest areas of your wallet or bag.
You can also stroll around your home shouting louder than you could ever "car keys!" It may sound absurd, but research has shown that shouting the name of the thing you're looking for can increase your chances of finding it.
If you're still unable to find your keys, call an locksmith. They'll be able assist you with getting an alternative key for your car and could even install a brand new lock on your door, should it be needed.
3. Check under the car
When you're running a series of errands, from school drop off and pick-up to grocery store runs and dinner with your kids, or even an afternoon at the park, it's not uncommon for things to get lost. It can be a debit card, your favorite pair sunglasses or even something more important, like your car key. If you don't keep an extra set, it could cause a lot of trouble and be a big headache.
Before you panic, take a deep breath, and start looking around for your lost car keys. It's always best to start with the obvious locations first - for example did you place them on your coffee table while you were walking out the door? You may have put them on the counter in your kitchen while you were heading to the refrigerator, but then closed the door and forgotten about them.
If you've cleaned out all of your pockets and purses (and if the lock was not locked, have someone help you search inside the car as well), walked back through your day to determine the places they might be missing, and exhausted every surface that you're likely to remember passing as you left the home, it could be time to look under the car. You never know when the key fob has fallen into a crevice between your seat cushion and floor mat, or if you accidentally dropped it out of your bag when you reached in to grab something.
Of course, the best way to avoid having a situation like this in the future is to establish a routine of keeping your keys in the same place after you return from work. It could take up to a month for the habit to become ingrained, but the more you stick to it the easier it will be to locate your keys next time you'll need them. To ensure that you're ready in the event of an emergency, it also is beneficial to have GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service on your policy, which will save you the cost of a tow truck, or replacing your lost car keys.
4. Review your day
You can forget important things when you're occupied with your day-to-day tasks. This can include running errands, or even having dinner with friends. The loss of your car keys could be a major disruption to your plans.
Take a deep breath before calling everyone you know and asking them where your keys are. Do not get overwhelmed. Once you've regained your composure, you should retrace the steps you took. When did you last remember having keys to your car? This will help you pinpoint where they may have gone missing.
Then, empty any pockets or bags you may have used to store them. get a spare key made near me should also look for places you might not typically think of, such as the pockets of your jacket or coat or your shoe. Check the place you keep your keys at home. You might have set them on a table or in a different location when you came inside.
Losting keys to your car is never enjoyable, but if follow these tips you will be able find them quickly and easily without having to contact an emergency locksmith or your family for assistance. The best way to avoid this problem in the future is to creating a designated spot for your keys every time you come inside. It might take a little time to get used to this, but after a while, it'll become a habit and you won't have to be concerned about them being lost.