Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
Losing your car key can be a terrifying experience. Luckily, there are several options to consider before calling roadside assistance or a locksmith.
The first thing to do is to go back and trace your steps. This will help you locate your keys and provide you an idea of where to begin before proceeding to more drastic measures.
1. Retract Your Steps
Losing your keys is one of the things that can stress you out. They're easy to lose and you may not realize it until you need to start your car or enter your house. If you don't have a spare, it can also be a bit of a hassle to get back into your vehicle.
It is important to remain calm and first retrace your steps. This will help you locate your keys faster and prevent you from having to call an expert locksmith or dealer to get a replacement key. The keys you lost will typically be within reach or near something that you've been carrying. It's a good idea to look through your pockets, purses, and bags before you move on to going back to the steps you took.
Another way to locate your keys that are lost is to ask your family or friends members if they saw them. You can obtain useful information from them and they can guide you in the right direction. This is particularly helpful when you have roommates or family members.
Check spare keys for cars if can't locate your keys after looking through your purses, wallets and bags. It could be that your keys are within the vehicle, and you have to look in the right place to find them. This simple action can spare you numerous headaches.
Get a professional's help if your keys aren’t in the vehicle. It will cost some money but it's worth it to not be concerned about being locked out. In the future, think about getting a spare key made so that you can avoid this problem completely. You could also add a brightly colored keychain to make them easier to spot. This will help you to always know where your keys are, and also locate them quickly. This is an investment of a few dollars that will pay off big time in the long run!
2. Empty Your Pockets
It can be a traumatic experience to lose your car keys. It happens more often than you think, and always happens at the worst possible moment such as when you're late for work. In this situation it's best to remain calm and follow these steps.
The first step is to trace your steps. This will help you identify the location and time when keys were lost. Then, go through your pockets and bag thoroughly. Also, look through the jackets and coats you might have worn. It's also a good idea to ask the staff at any restaurant or stores that you visited if they've seen your keys.
In the pockets of your clothing is a great way to forget. This is especially true if you have pockets that are deep in your coat or jacket. Also, you should be aware of any bags you carry. Bags, messenger bags, and backpacks can all conceal lost keys. Also, you should check the inside of your vehicle to determine whether keys are there.
It's a good idea to clear all pockets in any bag you carry and to empty your messenger or purse bag. This will help you see whether any keys are tucked in the bag's lining. It's also an excellent idea 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 you can "car keys!" It may sound silly, but studies have revealed that shouting the name of what you're looking for can increase your chances of finding it.
If you're unable to locate your keys, contact a locksmith. They can assist you with a replacement car key and even install a new lock for your door if needed.
3. Check Under the Car
When you're in a whirlwind of errands, from school drop off and pick-up to grocery stores and dinner with your kids, or an afternoon at the park - it's uncommon for things to slip through the cracks. Sometimes it's a debit card or your preferred pair of sunglasses, but sometimes it could be more important items like your car keys. If you don't have a spare, then it can be a huge headache and a major inconvenience.
Take a deep breath, and begin looking for your keys. It's always recommended to begin with the most obvious places first - for example did you put them down on your coffee table while you were leaving the house? You might have placed them on the counter in your kitchen while you were going to the fridge, but then closed the door and forgot about them.
If you've cleared all of your purses and pockets (and in the event that it wasn't locked, have someone help you search the car as well), walked back through your day to see the places they might be missing, and exhausted every surface that you're likely remember passing as you left the house, then it might be time to take a look under the car. You never know if the key fob fell into a crevice between your seat cushion and floor mat or if you accidentally removed it from your bag while reaching for something.
It is crucial to make it a habit to place your keys in the exact same place each time you come home from work. It may take a month or so for it to stick, but the longer you can maintain this routine and the more easy it will be to locate your car keys when you require them. To ensure that you're ready in case of an emergency, it is beneficial to have GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service on your policy, which can save you the cost of a tow vehicle or replacing your lost car keys.
4. Take a look back at your day
You can forget important things when you're so busy with your day-to-day activities. This includes running errands and getting together with friends for dinner. Losing your car keys can be a major setback to your plans.
Take a deep breath before you begin calling anyone you know and asking where your keys are. Do not panic. Once you've regained your calm, you should go back to the steps you took. When was the last moment you looked at your car keys? This will help you figure out where they may have gone missing.
Then, make sure to empty your pockets and bags in which you may have put them in. It's also recommended to check places you wouldn't normally think to consider, like your shoe or the pocket of a jacket or coat. Also, look around the area where you keep your car keys at home. They may have been placed on a table or other than the house.
If you lose your car keys, it's not fun. But if you use these suggestions, you'll be able to find them quickly without calling a locksmith. The best method to avoid this kind of issue in the future is by establishing a designated place for your keys every time you come inside. After some time you'll get used to it and won't need to worry about losing your keys.