Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
The loss of your car key could be a frightening experience. There are a variety of options to consider before calling locksmith or roadside assistance.
The first step 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
The loss of keys is one of those things that can really stress you out. It's easy to lose them and you might not even realize it until you're required to start your car or enter your house. It can be a hassle to get into your vehicle if you don't own an extra.
It's important to stay at peace and then retrace your steps. This will help you locate your keys faster and avoid having to call a dealer or a locksmith to obtain a replacement key. The keys you lost will typically be within reach or near something that you've carried. Before you begin going back to trace your steps it's a good idea to search through your pockets, purses, and bags.
Asking your family and friends if they've seen your keys is another great way to locate them. You can get helpful information from them and they can guide you in the right direction. This is especially beneficial if you share a home with family or roommates.
If you have combed through your wallets, purses and bags and are unable to locate your keys, it could be time to look inside your vehicle. Sometimes, your keys are in the car and you need to check the right place to locate them. This is a simple procedure that can save you a lot of headaches.
If you don't have your keys in the car, it's definitely time to contact a professional. It's a bit expensive, however it is worth it to not be concerned about being locked out. It is recommended to have an extra key in order to avoid this issue in the future. You could also put a brightly colored keychain on your keys to make them easier to see. This will ensure that you'll always be aware of where they are and can locate them quickly. This is a small investment that will pay off big time in the long time!
2. Empty Your Pockets
Car keys lost and without a spare is a very stressful experience. It happens more frequently than you think, and usually at the worst time possible, like when you are late for work. The best thing to do in this situation is to remain calm and follow the steps below.
Retracing your steps is the initial step. This will help you determine the location and the time when you lost your keys. After that, go through your pockets and bag thoroughly. Also, take a look at any jackets or outerwear that you may have worn. You could also ask the staff at any restaurant or store you visited to see if the keys were there.
In the pockets of your clothing can be very easy to forget. This is especially the case if your jacket or coat has a large pocket. You should also examine any bags you carry. Bags, messenger bags and backpacks can all conceal keys that are lost. Check the inside of your vehicle to determine whether you have keys.
It's a good idea empty out all of the pockets in any bag you carry around and to completely empty your purse or messenger bag. This will allow you to see the presence of keys inside the bag's lining. It's also a good idea to make use of a flashlight to shine into the dark corners of your purse or bag.
You can also stroll around your home shouting as loudly as possible "car keys!" click the following page may sound silly but shouting out the name of the item you are trying to find will increase your chances of locating the item.
Contact a locksmith in case you haven't been able to locate your keys. They can assist you with an alternative car key and even install a new lock for your door if needed.
3. Check under the car
If you're caught in a frenzy of errands - from school drop off and pick up, grocery stores and dinner with your kids, or even an afternoon in the park, it's not uncommon for things to slip through the cracks. Sometimes it's a debit card, or your most loved pair of sunglasses, but occasionally it could be more important items like your car keys. If you don't own an extra, it could be a major headache and a major inconvenience.
Before you panic take a deep breath and start searching for your lost car keys. Begin by looking in the most obvious spots first. Did you leave them on the coffee table while you walked out the door? You may have put 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 cleared all of your purses and pockets (and in the event that it wasn't locked and you didn't have help, ask someone to search the car well) and then looked back over your day to find out the places they might be missing, and then wiped out every surface you're likely remember passing by when you leave the home, it could be time to check under the car. You don't know if the key fob was lost in the crevice between the seat cushion and mat on the floor or was accidentally knocked out of your bag as you were reaching inside to grab something.
Of course the best way to avoid having a situation similar to this is to develop a routine of placing your keys in the same place after you return from work. It could take a month or two for it to become a habit, but the longer you keep this routine and the more easy it will be to find your car keys when you need them. If you're looking to be prepared for an emergency, you can also include GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your policy. This will save you money on towing costs or replacing keys that have been lost.
4. Review your day
Sometimes you just get so overwhelmed by the day-to-day routine of your kids' activities, running errands, going out with friends for dinner and attempting to complete every single task at hand that you forget something important. The unfortunate thing is that losing your car keys is one of those events that can make a mess of your plans.
But before you start frantically calling everyone you know to inquire whether they know where your car keys are take a deep breath and try not to get stressed. Once you've regained control of your emotions the first thing you should do is retrace your steps. When did you last recall seeing your car keys? This will help you find the location where your keys may have been.
Next, empty any pockets or bags that you might have used to store them. Also, you should check places you might not typically consider, like the pockets of your jacket, coat or your shoe. Check the place you keep your keys at home. You might have set them on a table or away from view as you entered.
If you lose your car keys, it's never fun. However, if you follow these tips, you'll be able find them quickly without calling a locksmith. You can prevent this from happening in the future by having an area designated for your keys inside your. It might take a little time to get used to this however, after a few weeks it will become a habit and you won't have to be concerned about them getting lost.