Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
Losing your car keys could be a terrifying experience. There are several things that you can do prior to calling for help at the roadside or a locksmith.
The first thing to do is to go back and trace your steps. This will help you find your keys and give you the opportunity to start from scratch before proceeding to more drastic steps.
1. Retract your Steps
Losing your keys is just one of those things that can really stress you out. It's possible that you don't realize they've been lost until you have to enter your home or start your vehicle. It's a pain to get into your car when you don't have an extra.
You should remain calm and retrace the steps you took. This will help you locate your keys faster and avoid needing to contact a locksmith or a dealer to get a replacement key. Most likely, the keys you lost are within reach or were dropped near things you've carried around. It's a good idea to comb through your pockets, purses and bags before you start returning to your steps.
Asking your family and friends if they've seen your keys is a good way to find them. You can obtain useful information from them and they will guide you in the right direction. This is especially helpful when you live in a house with your roommates or family.
Check your car if you cannot find your keys after rummaging through your purses, wallets and bags. You may find that your keys are inside the vehicle and you need to find the right place to find them. This simple trick will save you from many headaches.
Contact a professional if you suspect your keys aren't in the vehicle. This could cost you money, but it's well worth it to avoid the anxiety of being locked out. In the future, consider getting an extra key so that you can avoid this issue completely. You can attach keys in a bright color on your keys to make it easier to identify them. This will ensure that you always know where they are, and can locate them quickly. This is a very small, but very profitable investment!
2. Empty your Pockets
Lost keys to your car no spare can be an extremely frustrating experience. It happens more frequently than you think, and always at the worst possible time such as when you're late to work. In this case it is best to remain calm and take these steps.
The first step is to trace your steps. replacing car keys without spare will help you identify the exact location and time you lost the keys. Then, thoroughly check your bags and pockets. Also, look through the coats and jackets you may have worn. You can also ask the staff at any stores or restaurants you visited to see if the keys were in your possession.
It's easy to lose your keys in your clothes' pockets. This is especially true if you've got pockets that are deep in your coat or jacket. In addition to coats and jackets it's a good idea examine any bags that you carry around. Messenger bags, purses and backpacks could all be places to hide keys. Check replacing car keys without spare of your vehicle to determine if you have any keys.
It is a good idea to empty all the pockets in any bag you carry, as well as to completely empty your messenger or purse bag. This will allow you to see whether your keys are lodged in the lining of your bag. It's also an excellent idea to use a flashlight to shine into the dark corners of your bag or purse.
You can also wander around the house yelling as loudly as possible "car keys!" This may sound silly, but studies have shown that shouting the name of what you're looking for can increase the likelihood of finding it.
Contact a locksmith if haven't been able to locate your keys. They'll be able to assist you with getting a replacement key for your car and may even install a new lock for your door, should it be needed.
3. Check under the car
If you're caught in a frenzy of errands ranging from school drop off and pick up to grocery stores or dinner with the kids, or an afternoon in the park - it's not unusual for things to get lost. It can be a debit card, your favorite pair sunglasses, or something more important like the car key. If you don't have an extra, it could be a major troublesome and major hassle.
Take a deep breath, and start searching for your keys. Start by looking in the most obvious locations first. Did you put them on your coffee table while you walked out the door? Perhaps you placed them on the counter in the kitchen to grab something out of the fridge, then closed the door and then forgot about them.
If you've emptied all of your pockets and purses (and if it was unlocked and you didn't have help, ask someone to search inside the car as well) You've went back through your day to determine where they may be missing, and sifted through every surface you're likely to have passed on your way out of the home, it may be time to take a look under the car. You never know whether the key fob was lost in the gap between the cushion of the seat and the floor mat or if it was accidentally taken from your bag when you were reaching into your bag to get something.
Of course, the best way to avoid a situation similar to this is to develop a routine of putting your keys in the same spot after you return from work. It could 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 next time you need to. To ensure that you're prepared in case of an emergency, it also helps to include GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service on your policy, which will save you the cost of a tow truck or replacing your lost car keys.
4. Walk Back Through Your Day
Sometimes you just get so distracted by the day-today shuffle of kids' activities, running errands, having dinner with friends, and trying to accomplish all of your work tasks that you forget to do something important. For many, losing your car keys is one of those situations that could cause a disruption to all of your plans.
Take your time before you begin calling everyone you know and asking where your keys are. Try not to be anxious. Once you've regained control of your emotions the first thing you need to do is to retrace your steps. What was the last time you looked at your car keys? This will help you pinpoint where they might have gone missing.
Also, be sure to empty your pockets and bags in which you may have put them in. You should also check places that you wouldn't typically think of, such as the pockets of your jacket, shoes or the coat. Finally, check the place where you keep your car keys at home. They may have been placed on a table or else when you entered the house.
If you lose your car keys, it's never fun. But if you use these suggestions, you'll be able to find them quickly without calling an locksmith. You can prevent this from happening in the future by establishing the designated place for your keys inside. After a few weeks you'll get used to it and not have to worry about losing your keys.