Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
The loss of your car key could be a terrifying experience. There are a few things you can do prior to calling for help at the roadside or locksmith.
The first thing to do is to retrace your steps. This will help you find your keys and give you somewhere to start before moving on to more drastic steps.
1. Retract Your Steps
It's easy to be stressed by the loss of your keys. It's easy to lose them and you may not be aware of it until you have to start your car or enter your home. If you don't have a spare, it could be a bit of an issue to get back into your vehicle.
It's important to stay calm and then retrace your steps. This will allow you to find your keys quicker and save you from having to call an expert locksmith or dealer to obtain a replacement key. The keys you lost will typically be within reach or near something that you have been carrying. It's best to look through your purse, pockets, and bags before you start going back to the steps you took.
Asking your family and friends if they've seen your keys is another excellent way to find them. They can often provide you with helpful information and point you to the right direction. This is particularly helpful when you are living with roommates or family members.
If you have combed through your purses, wallets, and bags and can't find your keys, it may be time to check inside your car. You may find that your keys are inside the vehicle and you have to look in the right spot to locate them. This simple action can save you from a lot headaches.
Call a professional if your keys aren’t in the vehicle. It's a bit expensive but it's worth it to not have to worry about being locked out. In the future, consider getting an extra key made in order to get rid of this issue completely. You could also add a brightly colored keychain on your keys to make them easier to locate. This will ensure you'll always know where they are, and can locate them quickly. This is a small investment that will pay dividends in the long time!
2. Empty your pockets
It can be a traumatic experience to lose your car keys. It happens more than you think, and always at the worst time possible such as when you are late to work. In such a situation, it's best to stay calm and follow these steps.
Retracing your steps is the initial step. This will allow you to determine the location and time when keys were stolen. After that, go through your pockets and bag thoroughly. You should also look in the jackets and coats you may have worn. It is also a good idea to ask the staff at any restaurant or stores you've visited if they've seen your keys.
It's easy to lose your keys in your clothing's pockets. This is particularly true if you have a deep pocket in a coat or jacket. In addition to jackets and coats, it's a good idea check any bags you carry around. Bags, messenger bags, and backpacks can all be hiding places for lost keys. Examine spare key cost of your car to determine whether you have keys.
Clean out link home of the bags you carry around with your. Also empty your purse or messenger bag completely. This will let you know whether any keys are tucked in the lining of your bag. It's also recommended to make use of a flashlight to shine into the dark corners of your bag or purse.
You can also wander around your home shouting as loudly as possible "car keys!" This might sound a little absurd, but research has revealed that shouting the name of the item you're looking for will increase the likelihood of finding it.
If you're still unable to find your keys, call a locksmith. They can assist you with an additional car key or even install a new door lock if needed.
3. Check Under the Car
It's normal for things to be lost in the chaos of daily chores, from grocery shopping to dinner with the family or a day at the park. Sometimes it's a debit card or your favorite pair of sunglasses, but occasionally it could be more important items like your car keys. If you don't keep an extra set, it could cause a lot of inconvenience and cause a lot of stress.
Take a deep breath, and begin searching for your keys. Start by looking at the most obvious locations first. Did you leave them on the coffee table as you walked out the door? You may have put them on your kitchen counter as you headed to the refrigerator, but then closed the door and then forgot about them.
Make sure to check under the car if you've emptied all of your purses and pockets, walk through your day to see if it's possible to remember the places you passed on your way to the house and emptied every surface you could have encountered. You never know if the key fob fell into a crack between your seat cushion and floor mat, or if you accidentally dropped it out of your bag while reaching in to grab something.
Of course, the best way to avoid a situation similar to this is to develop a routine of placing your keys in the same location when you get home from work. It can take up to a month to make the habit instilled, but the more you stick to it and the more easy it will be to locate your keys the next time you'll need them. To ensure that you're prepared in the event in an emergency, it also helps to have GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service on your insurance policy, which could help you avoid the expense of a tow vehicle or replacing your lost car keys.
4. Walk Back Through Your Day
Sometimes you just get so caught up in the day-to-day routine of your kids' activities, running errands going out with friends for dinner and trying to complete all your work-related tasks that you forget something important. The loss of your car keys could be a major setback to your plans.
However, before you begin calling anyone you know to ask whether they know where your car keys are, take a deep breath, and be careful not to get stressed. Once you've gained control of your emotions the first thing you need to do is retrace your steps. What was the last time you saw your car keys? This will help you figure out where your keys could have disappeared.
Also, be sure to empty your bags and pockets in which you may have put them in. You should also check places that you wouldn't typically think of, like the pockets of your jacket, shoes or coat. Check the place you keep your keys at home. You might have set them on a table or somewhere else out of sight when you came inside.
If you lose your car keys, it's never enjoyable. If you follow these suggestions, you'll be able to find them quickly without calling a locksmith. The best method to avoid this problem in the future is to establishing a designated place to keep your keys when you get inside. After some time you'll become accustomed to it and not have to be concerned about losing your keys.