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How to Deal With a Lost Key in Your Car It's an absolute nightmare to lose your car keys. It's not the worst thing in the world if you know how to handle it. The first step is to locate a spare key and keep it in a safe location, or bring evidence of ownership to the dealer to get a new one programmed. Keys can be lost in a variety of ways, which can affect the ease or difficulty it is to replace them. 1. Worn Out Key Over time, keys for cars are subjected to a lot of wear. They are repeatedly put into locks and pockets, jiggling around and rubbed against each other. This can cause them to lose their shape, which could result in them not fitting into the ignition cylinder properly. If this happens, the key could either become stuck or isn't turning. Whatever the case, it could be extremely difficult. It's easy to avoid this by creating multiple copies of your brand new car key. You can then rotate them to reduce the wear on each one. You can also utilize the spare key in the event that you lose your car keys. Another reason why you may require an upgrade is that your key fob isn't functioning properly. As you know that they are extremely handy to have and can perform various tasks, from unlocking your doors and launching your engine to activating the alarm. This can happen for a few reasons however the most common is that they've worn down from daily use. They are tiny, delicate and often jostled in your bag or pocket. The buttons could easily break or wear down. If this occurs the first thing you need to do is to thoroughly examine all places that it could be, such as your jacket or bag and even the places you wouldn't normally put them (like inside a shoeshine box). Next, contact your dealer to inquire if they've got an extra key available. If not, they'll order one for you and then have it installed in your vehicle. This process can be costly but it's a lot better than the other. You can minimize the risk by not adding any other items to your key ring, and also by regularly lubricating your lock and the key. This will help them last longer and work properly. It is also recommended to keep the spare in a secure area, like with your family or close friends. This way, you will always have the key at hand when you need it. 2. Damaged Lock If the key fits inside the lock but you can't turn it, it could be a problem with the lock itself. The tumblers of the lock could be blocked by dirt and debris, which can make the mechanism feel stiff. Locksmiths can make use of a specific tool to clean and lubricate the lock, helping it feel smooth again. Another possible reason that a car lock won't turn is that it was forced to close. A thief might have employed a tool like a bump key or a hammer to force the door open. If you notice any evidence of this on the door handle, take your vehicle to an experienced locksmith as quickly as you can. The locksmith can repair the issue and prevent future issues. Certain locksmiths offer services that disable your old key inside your vehicle. This makes it much more difficult for someone to steal your vehicle. You'll need proof of your identity and prove that you have ownership of the vehicle before the process can begin. A V5C form that has your name on it will usually be accepted. You should also keep a spare car key in your trunk or on your person in the event that you lose it. A spare key can allow you to get to the road more quickly and save you money by preventing from needing to call locksmith. Based on the type of vehicle and the key, you might need to contact a locksmith in order to get a new key. Dealerships can provide you with a replacement key, but it could cost an additional towing fee and can require several days to get. A professional locksmith will be able to produce a key much quicker and cheaper. They might even be able to program it to work with your vehicle automatically. They also provide various additional services that can help you keep your car secure, such as an re-sealing kit for doors or anti-theft alarms. Find out more by visiting PolicyBachat. 3. Clogged ignition cylinder Over time the ignition cylinder as well as key can wear out. A worn-out cylinder could block or become stuck when it is removed, inserted or turned which can interfere with powering on and starting your vehicle. These issues may develop slowly but they will become more apparent over time. One of the most common symptoms of this issue is when the key can't be inserted into the lock, or is unable to be rotated within the ignition cylinder. This is a clear sign that your cylinder has gotten worn out and needs to be replaced. You can try to replace the cylinder on your own, but it is generally better to have it done by an expert. The ignition cylinder is a small cylindrical piece of metal that is situated within the lock cylinder housing and has a pair of tumblers. Each tumbler is assigned a particular position and only fits the correct key bumps. Over time, the tumblers can be worn out or blocked with dirt. In order to fix this issue, you'll need to clean the cylinder port of the ignition. This can be done with the use of a small bottle of graphite lubricant. You can purchase this product at your local auto parts store. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Remove the dashboard and steering-wheel covers from your vehicle. This will allow you to see the cylinder port more clearly. Look for a pin which is placed in the back of the cylinder. This is a security feature that prevents your vehicle from being stolen. If the ignition cylinder will not turn, you will need remove the retention pin in order to allow it to slip out of the housing. The procedure is simple however, it takes patience. Before drilling the pin, make sure that the pin is in the accessory position. replacing lost keys to a car is also important to remember that there is a risk of causing damage to the car's electronic and electrical systems if you drill in the wrong location. Mark the part of the drill that is protruding from the keyway prior to drilling. This acts as a signal to prevent you from drilling too deep and damaging the cylinder housing. 4. Locked Out The first thing to do when you lock your keys inside your car is to not panic. You might think you're in a mess, but it's important to be calm because there are many options and methods that you can get back into your vehicle without breaking the window or calling a tow truck. It doesn't matter if you're using shoelaces bobby pins, packaging tape Slim Jims, or modified wire coat hangers, most of these methods can be used with the right tools or tricks. It's important to note that not all methods will work, and you might need professional help in certain cases. The key is to always try the least destructive solution first. It's possible that you don't like the idea of a stranger helping you unlock your car, but when you're in a crisis situation, it may be the best option. It's important to note that a number of roadside assistance plans, including the NRMA, offer members the option of getting into their vehicle without keys. Take a deep breath and then go around the outside of your car to see if you have your keys in other doors or the trunk. When you're in a hurry it's easy to forget something as simple as the door handle or the rearview mirror. Be sure to check everywhere. If you're still stuck in the process of unlocking your car, remain calm and call a neighbor or friend who is nearby for assistance. A stranger might be able to help you should they not want to leave you stranded. If they're not able to assist you, then take a look at calling roadside assistance, or determining if your vehicle insurance will cover it. To avoid losing a key in the future, be sure you check your car manufacturer's app or utilize a smart device to turn your phone into a key fob. You can also purchase keys with magnetic locks to store keys that you don't use and keep them out of the way and away from thieves.