Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
Losing your car key can be a frightening experience. There are a variety of things you can try before calling locksmith or roadside assistance.
Follow your steps. This will help you locate your keys and provide an opportunity to start from scratch before you take further drastic measures.
1. Retract Your Steps
Losing your keys is just one of the things that can cause stress. You might not even realize you've lost your keys until you have to get inside your home or start your car. If you do not have a spare, it can also be a a hassle to get back into your vehicle.
Be calm and repeat the steps you did. This will allow you to locate your keys quickly and avoid having to call a locksmith or head to the dealership for the new key. The keys you lost will typically be within reach or close to something you have been carrying. It's a good idea to go through your pockets, purses and bags before you start returning to your steps.
Another great way to find your keys that are lost is to ask your family or friends members if they've seen them. They are often able to provide you with helpful information and point you in the right direction. This is especially beneficial if you share a home with your roommates or family.
If you've rummaged through your purses, wallets and bags but can't find your keys, it could be time to look inside your car. Sometimes, the keys are in the vehicle and you have to find the right spot to find them. This simple step can spare you a lot headaches.
If your keys aren't in the car, it's time to get a professional. It's going to cost you money, however it is worth it to not have to worry about being locked out. In the future, think about getting an extra key made to get rid of this issue completely. You can put a keychain in a bright color on your keys to make it easier to identify them. This will help you to always be aware of where your keys are, and also locate them quickly. This is a small but very profitable investment!
2. Empty Your Pockets
It can be a frustrating experience to lose your car keys. It happens more often than you think, and always at the worst times such as when you are late for work. The best thing to do in this scenario is to stay calm and follow the steps below.
The first step is to retrace your steps. This will help you identify the location and time when keys were stolen. After that, be sure to thoroughly search your pockets and bags. Also, check any jackets or other outerwear you may have worn. You may also ask the staff at any establishments or stores you visited if the keys were in your possession.
It's easy to forget your keys inside your clothing's pockets. This is especially relevant if your jacket coat has a deep pocket. You should also be aware of any bags you carry. Bags, messenger bags and backpacks are all places to hide lost keys. You should also look around the inside of your vehicle to see if they're there.
It's a good idea to clear all pockets in any bags that you have with you, as well as to empty your purse or messenger bag. This will help you see the presence of keys in the lining of your bag. You can also use a flashlight to illuminate the darkest areas of your wallet or bag.
You can also stroll around your home shouting louder than you could ever "car keys!" It might sound silly, but shouting out the name of something you're seeking will increase your chances of locating the item.
Contact a locksmith if are still having trouble finding your keys. They'll help you obtain a replacement key for your vehicle and can even install a new lock for your door, if necessary.
3. Check under the car
When you're in a whirlwind of errands - from school drop off and pick up to grocery run or dinner with the kids, or even an afternoon in the park - it's unusual for things to get lost in the shuffle. It could be a credit card, your favorite pair sunglasses, or even something more crucial like the car key. And if you don't have an extra set, it could be a major headache and a major inconvenience.
Take a deep breath, and begin searching for your keys. Begin by looking in the most obvious places first. Did you put them on your coffee table as you walked out the door? Suggested Web page might have placed them on the counter in your kitchen while you were heading to the fridge, but then closed the door and forgotten about them.
If you've cleaned out all of your pockets and purses (and if the lock was not locked and you didn't have help, ask someone to search the car as well) and then walked back through your day to see where they may be missing, and then wiped out every surface that you're likely to have passed by on your way out of the home, it may be time to check under the car. You never know if the key fob has fallen into a crevice between your seat cushion and the floor mat or if you dropped it out of your bag while reaching inside 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 come home from work. It may take up to a month to make the habit instilled, but the more you maintain it, the easier it is to find your keys the next time you'll need to. To ensure you're prepared in case of an emergency, it helps to have GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service on your insurance policy, which could save you the cost of a tow vehicle or replacing your lost car keys.
4. Walk Back Through Your Day
You can forget important things when you're occupied with your day-to-day tasks. This can include running errands, or even having dinner with friends. Unfortunately, losing your car keys is just one of those things that can cause a disruption to all of your plans.
Take your time before you begin calling everyone you know and asking where your keys are. Be careful not to get overwhelmed. Once you've regained control over your emotions the first thing to do is retrace your steps. When was the last moment you looked at your car keys? This will help you figure out where they might have gone missing.
Make sure you empty your pockets and bags that you might have put them in. It's also recommended to check places you wouldn't normally think to consider, like your shoe or in the pocket of a coat or jacket. Finally, check the place where you keep your keys for your car at home. You might have put them on a desk or somewhere in the house.
If you lose your car keys, it's never fun. If you follow these tips, you can find them quickly and without calling a locksmith. You can avoid this issue in the future by having the designated place for your keys inside. It may take a time to get used this however, after a few weeks it will become a routine and you won't have to be concerned about them getting lost.