Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
The loss of your car keys can be a frightening experience. Luckily, there are several options to consider before calling assistance at the roadside or a locksmith.
The first thing to do is to go back and trace your steps. This will help you locate your keys and give you a place to start before you take any more drastic steps.
1. Retract Your Steps
The loss of keys is one of the things that could cause stress. It's easy to lose them and you may not be aware of it until you need to start your vehicle or go to your house. It's a pain to get in your vehicle when you don't have a spare.
It's essential to remain calm and first retrace your steps. This will allow you to find your keys quicker and save you from needing to contact a locksmith or a dealer to get a new key. Your lost keys will usually be near you or near something that you've been carrying. It's a good idea comb through your purse, pockets and bags prior to you start retracing your steps.
Asking your family and friends if they've seen your keys is a good way to find them. They may be able to provide you with helpful information and point you to the right direction. This is particularly helpful when you have roommates or family members.
Make sure you check your car if are unable to find your keys after rummaging through your wallets, purses and bags. You might find that your keys are within the vehicle and you just need to look at the right spot to locate them. This simple action can spare you many headaches.
Get a professional's help if your keys aren't inside the vehicle. It's a bit expensive but it's worth it to not have to worry about being locked out. It is recommended to have a spare key to avoid this problem in the future. You can attach keys in a bright color on your keys to help you see them. This will help you always be aware of where your keys are, and also locate them quickly. This is an investment of a few dollars that will pay dividends in the long run!
2. Empty your Pockets
It can be a traumatic experience to lose your car keys. It happens more frequently than you think and usually happens at the worst possible time, like when you're late for work. In such a situation, it's best to stay calm and adhere to these steps.
The first step is to trace your steps. This will help you figure out where and when you lost the keys. Then, thoroughly check your bags and pockets. Also, look through any jackets or coats that you might have worn. You can also ask the staff at any restaurant or store you went to if your keys were there.
If you leave your keys in the pockets of your clothes can be a very easy thing to forget. This is particularly the case if your jacket or coat has a large pocket. Also, you should examine the bags you carry. Messenger bags, purses and backpacks are all hiding spots for keys that are lost. You should also look around the inside of your vehicle to determine whether keys are there.
Clean out all pockets of the bags you carry around with your. Also, empty your messenger bag or purse completely. This will allow you to see the presence of keys inside the bag's lining. You can also use a flashlight to illuminate the darkest areas of your bag or wallet.
You can also wander around the house yelling louder than you could ever "car keys!" It may sound silly but shouting out the name of the item you are trying to find increases the chances of finding that item.
If you're unable to locate your keys, contact a locksmith. They can assist you with a replacement car key and even install a new lock for your door if needed.
3. Check under the car
When you're running a series of errands ranging from school drop off and pick up to grocery run or dinner with the kids, or an afternoon at the park - it's not common for things to slip through the cracks. It can be a debit card, a pair of your favorite sunglasses, or something more important like your car key. If you don't have a spare, it can cause a lot of hassle and cause a lot of stress.
Before you panic take a deep breath, and begin searching to find your car keys. Start by looking at the most obvious locations first. Did you leave them on the coffee table while you walked out the door? You might have placed them on the counter in your kitchen while you were heading to the fridge but then closed the door and then forgot about them.
Check under the car if you've emptied all your pockets and purses and then walk around your day to see if you can remember the places you passed while driving to the home and emptying every surface you may have walked across. You never know if the key fob has fallen into a crack between your seat cushion and floor mat or if you removed it from your bag when you reached inside to grab something.
It is essential to make it a habit to place your keys in the same spot each time you come home from work. It could take up to a month to make the habit established, but the longer you keep it in place and the more easy it will be to find your keys the next time you need to. If you're looking to be prepared for an emergency, you could also add the GEICO Emergency Roadside Service to your policy. This will help you save money on towing costs or replacing keys that have been lost.
4. Look back over your day
It's easy to overlook important things when you're occupied with your daily activities. This can include running errands or getting together with friends for dinner. For many, losing your car keys is just one of those events that can make a mess of your plans.
Take an exhale before you begin calling everyone you know and asking them where your keys are. Be careful not to panic. After auto key spares have regained calm, you should go back to the steps you made. When was the last moment you saw your car keys? This will help you find out where your keys might have gone.
Then, empty any pockets or bags you may have used to store them. It's also an excellent idea to check places you wouldn't normally think to look, such as your shoes or the pockets of a jacket or coat. Also, look around the area where you keep your keys to your car at home. You may have placed them on a table or other than the house.
If you lose your car keys, it's not fun. If you follow these tips, you can find them quickly without calling a locksmith. The best method to avoid this kind of issue in the future is to creating a designated spot for your keys every time you get inside. After some time you'll become accustomed to it and won't need to worry about losing your keys.