Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
Losing your car keys can be a frightening experience. Luckily, there are several ways to try before calling locksmith or roadside assistance.
The first thing to do is to trace your steps. This will help you locate your keys and give you somewhere to start before moving on to more 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 need to start your vehicle or go to your home. It can be a challenge to get in your vehicle when you don't have an extra.
Be calm and retrace the steps you did. This can help you find your keys quickly and avoid needing to call a locksmith or head to the dealer for a new key. Most likely, the keys you lost are within reach or were dropped near something you've been carrying around. It's a good idea to comb through your pockets, purses and bags prior to you begin retracing your steps.
Asking your family and friends if they have seen your keys is another excellent way to find them. You can gather valuable information from them and they will help you find the right direction. This is especially beneficial if you share a home with roommates or family members.
Check your car if you are unable to find your keys after rummaging through your purses, wallets and bags. Sometimes, the keys are inside the car, and you must find the right spot to see them. This simple step can save you from a lot headaches.
If your keys aren't in the car, it's definitely time to get a professional. This could cost you money, but it's worth it to avoid the stress of being locked out. In the future, consider getting an extra key made in order to avoid this problem completely. You can attach an attractive keychain color on your keys to aid you in being able to see them. This will ensure you'll always be aware of where they are and can find them quickly. This is a small but extremely worthwhile investment!
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 time such as when you're running late for work. In this situation it's best to remain calm and follow these steps.
Retracing your steps is the first step. This will help you determine where and when keys were lost. After that, be sure to thoroughly search your pockets and bags. Also, check any jackets or outerwear that you may have worn. You may also ask the staff in any restaurant or store you visited if your keys were there.
It's easy to forget your keys inside your clothing's pockets. This is especially relevant if your jacket coat has a large pocket. In addition to coats and jackets, it's a good idea examine any bags that you carry. Messenger bags, purses and backpacks are all places to hide keys. Also, you should check the interior of your vehicle to see whether they're there.
It's a good idea clear all pockets of any bag you have with you, as well as to completely empty your messenger or purse bag. This will help you see the presence of keys inside the bag's lining. You can also use a flashlight to illuminate the darkest places of your bag or wallet.
Another tip is to walk around the house, yelling "car keys!" as loudly as you can. It may sound absurd, but research has shown that shouting the name of what you're looking for will increase the likelihood of finding it.
If you're unable to find your keys, call locksmith. They'll be able help you obtain a replacement key for your vehicle and may even install a new lock on your door, if needed.
3. Check Under the Car
It's common for things to get lost in the shuffle of everyday chores, from grocery shopping to dinner with the family or an afternoon at the playground. It could be a debit card, your favorite pair sunglasses, or even something more important like the car key. If you don't have an extra, it could be a major troublesome and major hassle.
Before you panic take a deep breath, and begin searching for your lost car keys. Begin by looking in the most obvious spots first. Did you leave them on the coffee table when you went out the door? You might have placed them on your kitchen counter while you were going to the fridge but then closed the door and forgot about them.
If you've cleared all of your pockets and purses (and if it was unlocked, have someone help you search the car as well) and then walked back through your day to find out where they may have gone missing, and exhausted every surface you're likely remember passing as you left the home, it may be time to look under the car. You never know if the key fob was lost in the gap between the seat cushion and mat on the floor or was accidentally thrown from your bag when you were reaching into your bag to take something out.
Of course the best method to avoid a situation similar to this is to establish a habit of keeping your keys in the same place when you come home from work. spare key replacement may take up to a month for the habit to become ingrained, but the more you keep it in place, the easier it is to locate your keys the next time you'll need them. If you want to be prepared in case of an emergency, you could also include the GEICO Emergency Roadside Service to your policy. This will save you money on towing costs or replacing keys that have been lost.
4. Walk Back Through Your Day
Sometimes you get caught up in the day-to-day routine of your kids' activities, running errands, having dinner with friends, and trying to accomplish all your work-related tasks that you forget to do something important. Unfortunately, losing your car keys is one of those situations that could throw a wrench in all of your plans.
However, before you begin calling anyone you know to ask them where your car keys are, take a deep breath, and try not to get stressed. After you have regained composure, you should retrace the steps you did. When was the last time you recall having your car keys? This will help you find out where your keys might have disappeared.
Then, empty the pockets or bags you may have used to store them. It's also a good idea to check places you might not normally look like your shoes or the pockets of a coat or jacket. You should also check where you keep your keys at home. You may have put them on a table or somewhere in a different location when you entered the house.
If you lose your car keys, it's not fun. But if you use these tips, you can find them quickly without calling an locksmith. You can avoid this issue in the future by establishing a designated spot for your keys inside. After some time, you'll be accustomed to it and no longer have to worry about losing your keys.