How to Deal With a Lost Key in Your Car
It's an absolute nightmare to lose your car keys. It's not the most stressful scenario when you know how to deal with it.
You can bring proof of ownership or a spare key to the dealer to have a new one programmed. Keys can get lost in various ways, which can affect how easy or hard it is to replace them.
1. lost car key
Over time, keys for cars get a lot of wear. They are jingled in pockets, rub against each others, and then put into locks over and over again. This causes them to lose their shape, which can result in them not fitting into the ignition cylinder properly. The key may be stuck or not turn if this happens. Either way, it can be extremely annoying.
Luckily, it's easy to prevent this from happening by creating duplicate copies of your vehicle key when it's new. Then, you can rotate them, reducing the amount of wear and tear each one goes through. Plus, if you ever do lose your car keys, you'll have another spare.
It is also possible to replace your key fob if it's been unable to function properly. As you've guessed they are extremely useful to have and they do a variety of jobs such as unlocking your doors and launching your engine, to triggering the alarm. It can happen for many reasons, but most commonly it is because the button is worn out. They are small fragile and can be easily smashed in your bag or pocket. The buttons could easily break or wear down.
In this instance you must check all possible places such as your bag, jacket and other places where you would normally store them (like in a shoe shine box). Call your dealership and ask if they have spare keys available. If they don't have a spare key in inventory, they can request it and attach it to your vehicle. It can be expensive but it's more efficient than the alternative.
You can lower the risk by avoiding adding any other items to your key ring, and also by regularly lubricating your lock and key. This will make them both last longer and perform as they should. Also, keep an extra in a secure area, like with your family or friends. This means that you will always have the key in case you require it.
2. Damaged Lock
If the key fits in the lock but you're unable to turn it, it might be a problem with the lock itself. The tumblers of the lock could be clogged with dirt and other debris. This can cause the mechanism to feel stiff. Locksmiths can employ an oil-lubricated tool to clean and lubricate a lock. This will make it feel more comfortable.
A car lock that isn't able to turn could have been jammed by force. A burglar might have employed a tool like bump keys or a pick to pry the door open. If you see evidence of this on your door handle, you should bring your vehicle to a locksmith immediately. The locksmith can fix the issue and avoid further issues.
Some locksmiths offer services that disable your old keys inside the vehicle. This makes it more difficult for thieves to take your vehicle. You'll require proof of identity and proof that you're the owner of the vehicle in order to be able to avail this service. A V5C form that has your name on it is likely to be accepted.
You should also keep a spare car key in your trunk or on your person in case you lose it. Having a spare can help you get back on the road in a hurry and prevents you from needing to pay for a locksmith.
You might need to contact an expert locksmith to replace the key based on the car. Dealerships can provide keys for replacement, but they will require a towing fee and will likely need to get one from you, which can take a few days. A professional locksmith can usually make a new key faster and cheaper, and may even be capable of programming it to your vehicle automatically. They also provide various additional services that can help you keep your car safe, such as a door re-sealing kit or alarms to prevent theft. Find out more on PolicyBachat.
3. Clogged Ignition Cylinder
Over time the ignition cylinder as well as key can wear out. A worn-out cylinder could be stuck or jammed when it is inserted, removed, or turned, which could cause problems with powering on and starting your vehicle. These problems can develop slowly, but become more noticeable over time.
This problem is most often caused by the inability to insert the key into the lock or rotate the ignition cylinder. This is a clear sign that your cylinder has gotten worn out and requires replacement. You could try replacing the cylinder on your own, but it is generally better to have this done by a professional.
The ignition cylinder is a small metal cylindrical part which is found within the lock cylinder housing and contains two tumblers. Each tumbler is assigned a particular location and is only suited to the key bumps that are correct. Over time, tumblers may get worn out or clogged with dirt. To fix this issue, you'll need to clean the cylinder port of the ignition. This can be accomplished with a small bottle of graphite oil. You can buy this at your local auto parts store and follow the directions on the label.
The first step is to remove the dashboard and steering wheel covers from your vehicle. This will give you more clarity of the port on the cylinder. Find a pin into the back of the cylinder. This is a security measure that stops your vehicle from being stolen. If the ignition cylinder isn't able to turn, then you will have to take off the retention pin to let it slide out of the housing.
The process is easy but it requires patience. Be sure to check that the pin is in accessory position prior to drilling. It is also possible to damage your car's electrical and electronic systems when you drill in the wrong place. Before drilling, make sure to mark the area of the drill bit that is protruding out of the keyway with tape. This will serve as a flag to prevent you from drilling too deeply and damaging the cylinder housing.
4. Locked Out
If you've locked the keys to your car, the first step is to try not to get scared. You might think that you're in a mess, but it's important to be calm because there are plenty of options and methods that you can get back into your vehicle without damaging the window or calling an emergency tow truck. If you're using shoelaces, packaging tape, bobby pins Slim Jims, or modified coat hangers made from wire The majority of these options can be used with the right tools or tricks. It's important to remember that not all methods work, and you might require assistance from a professional in certain situations.
It is crucial to select the least damaging option first. If you're in a crisis you might not like the idea of having someone else will open your car for you, but it's your best option. It's also worth noting that many roadside assistance plans, such as the NRMA offers members the option of getting into their vehicle without keys.
Another idea is to take an inhale and walk around the exterior of your vehicle to see whether your keys are in any other door or in the trunk. When you're in a rush it's easy to miss something that is as simple as the door handle or the rearview mirror. Be sure to check everywhere.
If you are still unable to unlock your car, stay calm and ask an acquaintance or a neighbor who's nearby for help. Most of the time someone will be willing to assist you out of a jam because they don't want you to be left stranded. If they're unable to help you, then think about calling roadside assistance or seeing if your car insurance will cover it.
Make sure you download the app from your car's manufacturer or use your smart phone to turn your phone into a key fob to keep your keys from being locked out in the future. You can also buy a magnetic keysafe to store keys you have left over and keep them out of sight and away from thieves.