Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
The loss of your car keys can be a terrifying event. There are a variety of options to consider before calling assistance at the roadside or a locksmith.
Take a step back. This will help you find your keys and provide you somewhere to start before moving on to more drastic measures.
1. Retract Your Steps
Losing your keys is one of the things that could make you feel stressed. You might not even realize you've lost them until you have to get into your home or start your vehicle. If you don't have a spare, it could be a trouble to get back into your vehicle.
It's essential to remain calm and then take a second look. This can help you find your keys quickly and prevent needing to call a locksmith or head to the dealership for the new key. Most likely, the keys you lost are within reach or have been dropped near something you've been carrying around. It's best to comb through your purse, pockets and bags prior to you start returning to your steps.
Another great way to find your keys that you have lost is to ask your friends or family members if they've seen them. You can obtain useful information from them and they can help you find the right direction. This is especially helpful when you live in a house with roommates or family members.
Check your car if you cannot locate your keys after looking through your purses, wallets and bags. It could be that your keys are within the vehicle and you need to find the right place to find them. This simple action can spare you many headaches.
Contact a professional if you suspect your keys aren’t in the vehicle. It's going to cost you money but it's worth it to not worry about being locked out. In the future, you should think about getting a spare key made so that you can get rid of this issue completely. You can even add a brightly colored keychain to make them easier to see. This will ensure that you'll always know where they are, and will be able to locate them quickly. This is a small investment that will pay dividends in the long time!
2. Empty Your Pockets
Car keys lost and no spare can be a very frustrating experience. It happens more than you think, and always at the worst possible time such as when you are late for work. In this case it is best to remain calm and follow these steps.
Retracing your steps is the first step. This will help you identify where and when keys were lost. Then, thoroughly search your pockets and bags. Also, take a look at any jackets or other outerwear you may have worn. It's also a good idea to ask the staff at any restaurants or stores you've went to if they've seen your keys.
In the pockets of your clothing can be a very easy thing to forget. This is especially true if you've got an extensive pocket inside a coat or jacket. You should also be aware of the bags you carry. Bags, messenger bags, and back packs can all hide keys that have been lost. You should also look around the inside of your car to see whether they're there.
Empty all pockets from any bags you carry with your. Also, empty your purse or messenger bag completely. This will help you see if any keys are stuck in the bag's lining. It's also an excellent idea to utilize a flashlight to shine into the dark areas of your purse or bag.
You can also wander around the house yelling as loudly as you can "car keys!" It may sound silly but shouting out the name of something you are trying to find increases the chances of finding that item.
If you're unable to find your keys, call an locksmith. They'll be able to assist you with getting an alternative key for your vehicle and could even install a brand new lock on your door, should it be needed.
3. Check under the car
When you're running a series of errands - from school drop off and pick up to grocery run and dinner with your children, or even an afternoon at the park - it's not unusual for things to get lost in the shuffle. Sometimes it's a debit or your preferred pair of sunglasses, but occasionally it's most important things like your car keys. If you don't own an extra, it could be a major hassle and a major issue.
Take a deep breath and begin looking for your keys. Start by looking at the most obvious locations first. Did you put them on your coffee table while you walked out the door? Or perhaps you put them on the counter in the kitchen to grab something out of the fridge, but then closed the door and then forgot about them.
Check under the car to see if you've used up all of your purses and pockets, walk through your day to see if it's possible to remember the places you passed on your way to the home and emptying every surface you could have seen. You never know whether the key fob was lost in the crevice between the seat cushion and mat on the floor or was accidentally taken out of your bag while you were reaching into your bag to grab something.
It is important to establish a routine to put your keys in the exact same place every when you return home from work. It may take a few months to make the habit ingrained, but the more you keep it in place and the more easy it will be to locate your keys the next time you'll need them. If you'd like to be prepared for an emergency, you can also include GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your policy. This will help you save money on towing costs or replacing keys that have been lost.
4. Walk Back Through Your Day
Sometimes you get distracted by the day-today chaos of children's activities, running errands going out with friends for dinner and trying to complete every single task at hand that you overlook something crucial. The loss of your car keys could be a major disruption to your plans.
Before you begin calling anyone you know to ask them where your car keys are take a deep breath and be careful not to panic. After you have regained confidence, you can retrace the steps you took. When was the last moment you looked at your car keys? This will help you figure out where they may have gone missing.
Then, get a spare car key made or bags you might have used to store them. Also, you should check places you would not typically consider, like the pockets of your jacket or shoes or the coat. You should also check where you keep your keys at home. You may have placed them on a desk or else when you entered the home.
The loss of your car keys is never enjoyable, but if follow these tips you should be able to find them quickly and conveniently without having to call a locksmith or your family for help. You can avoid this problem in the future by having the designated place for your keys inside. It might take a little time to get used to this, but after a while it will become a routine and you won't need to be concerned about them being lost.