Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
The loss of your car key could be a scary experience. There are many options to consider before calling roadside assistance or a locksmith.
Follow your steps. This will help you locate your keys and give you a place to start before you take more drastic measures.
1. Retract your Steps
It's easy to be stressed by the loss of your keys. It's possible that you don't realize you've lost your keys until you have to get into your home or start your car. It can be a hassle to get in your car when you don't have an extra.
It is important to remain calm and repeat the steps you did. This will help you locate your keys faster and save you from having to call a dealer or a locksmith to get a new key. The keys you lost will typically be within reach or in proximity to something you've been carrying. Before you start going back to trace your steps it's a good idea to go through your purses, pockets and bags.
Another great way to find your keys that you have lost is to ask your family or friends members if they've seen them. You can get helpful information from them and they will point you in the correct direction. This is especially useful for those who live with roommates or family members.
Make sure you check your car if cannot locate your keys after searching through your wallets, purses and bags. Sometimes your keys are just inside your vehicle and you have to check the right place to see them. This is a simple procedure that will save you a number of headaches.
If you don't have your keys in the car, it's time to get an expert. This will cost you some money, but it's well worth it to avoid the anxiety of being locked out. You should get an extra key to avoid this issue in the future. You could also add a brightly colored keychain on your keys to make them easier to locate. This will ensure that you'll always know where they are and will be able to locate them quickly. This is a very small, but very worthwhile investment!
2. Empty Your Pockets
Car keys lost and having no spare keys can be an extremely frustrating experience. It happens more frequently than you imagine, and it always happens at the worst possible time, like when you are late for work. The best option in this circumstance is to keep calm and follow the steps below.
Retracing your steps is the initial step. This will help you identify where and when you lost the keys. After that, be sure to thoroughly look through your bags and pockets. You should also look in the coats and jackets you may have worn. It's also recommended to ask the staff at any restaurants or stores you've visited if they've noticed your keys.
It's easy to forget your keys in your clothing's pockets. This is particularly true if your jacket or coat has a large pocket. In addition to jackets and coats, it's a good idea to check any bags you carry around. Purses, messenger bags and backpacks are all hiding places for lost keys. Check the interior of your car to determine whether you have keys.
It's a good idea empty all the pockets in any bag you carry and also to completely empty your purse or messenger bag. This will let you determine whether your keys are lodged in the lining of your bag. You can also use a flashlight to illuminate the darkest parts of your wallet or bag.
Another suggestion is to walk around the house, shouting "car keys!" as loudly as you can. It might sound silly, but shouting out the name of something you are seeking will increase your chances of finding the item.
If you're still unable to locate your keys, contact an locksmith. They'll be able to assist you in obtaining the replacement key for your car and could even install a brand new lock for your door, if needed.
3. Check Under the Car
It's not uncommon for things to get lost in the shuffle of daily chores, from grocery shopping to dinner with the family or an afternoon at the playground. Sometimes it's a debit card, or your favorite pair of sunglasses, but occasionally it's most important items, like your car keys. If you don't keep an extra, it could cause a lot of inconvenience and cause a lot of stress.
Take a deep breath, and start searching for your keys. It's always a good idea to start with the obvious locations first - for example did you put them on the coffee table as you were heading out the door? You might have set them on the counter in your kitchen while you were going to the fridge but then closed the door and forgot about them.
If you've emptied all of your pockets and purses (and in the event that it wasn't locked ask someone to help you search inside the car as well), walked back through your day to see where they could have gone missing, and then wiped out every surface you're likely to have passed by as you left the home, it could be time to take a look under the car. You never know when the key fob fell into a crack between your seat cushion and floor mat, or if you accidentally removed it from your bag when you reached for something.
Of course, the best way to avoid having a situation like this in the future is to establish a habit of keeping your keys in the same location after you return from work. It may take a few months to make the habit established, but the longer you stick to it and the more easy it will be to locate your keys next time you'll need them. If spare key fob want to be prepared in the event of an emergency, you could also include the GEICO Emergency Roadside Service to your policy. This will help you save money on towing or replacing keys that have been lost.
4. Look back over your day
It's easy to forget important details when you're so busy with your day-to-day tasks. This can include running errands and meeting friends for dinner. The loss of your car keys could be a major disruption to your plans.
However, before you begin calling everyone you know to inquire whether they know where your car keys are take a deep breath and be careful not to panic. Once you've gained control of your emotions the first thing you should do is to retrace your steps. What was the last time you saw your car keys? This will help you figure out where your keys could have gone.
Then, empty the pockets or bags you might have used to store them. It's also recommended to look in places that you might not normally look like your shoes or the pockets of a coat or jacket. Examine the location where you keep your keys at home. You may have placed them on a desk or else when you entered the home.
If you lose your car keys, it's not fun. However, if you follow these tips, you'll be able locate them quickly, without having to call an locksmith. The best way to avoid this issue in the future is by establishing a designated place for your keys every time you come inside. After some time you'll become accustomed to it and not have to be concerned about losing your keys.