Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
The loss of your car keys can be a frightening experience. There are a few things you can do prior to calling for help at the roadside or a locksmith.
The first step is to go back and trace your steps. This will help you locate your keys and give you an idea of where to begin before moving on to more drastic steps.
1. Retract your steps
You can be stressed out by losing your keys. They're easy to lose and you may not be aware of it until you have to start your vehicle or go to your house. It can be a hassle to get into your car when you don't have an extra.
Be calm and repeat the steps you took. This can help you find your keys quickly and prevent needing to call a locksmith or go to the dealership for a new key. The keys you lost will typically be near you or close to something you've carried. Before you start retracing steps, it's a great idea to look through your pockets, purses and bags.
Asking your family and friends if they have seen your keys is another good way to find them. They may be able to provide you with useful details and point you in the right direction. This can be especially useful when you are living with roommates or family members.
If you have combed through your purses, wallets and bags but can't find your keys, it may be time to look inside your vehicle. Sometimes, the keys are inside the car and you need to look in the right spot to locate them. This simple step can save you from numerous headaches.
Call a professional if your keys aren’t in the vehicle. It's going to cost you money, however it is worth it to not be concerned about being locked out. You should have an extra key to avoid this issue in the future. You can even attach a colorful keychain on your keys to make them easier to see. This will allow you to always be aware of where your keys are and find them quickly. This is a small but very profitable investment!
2. Empty your pockets
Car keys lost and no spare can be an extremely frustrating experience. It happens more frequently than you think, and always at the worst times such as when you're late to work. In this situation, it's best to stay calm and take these steps.
Retracing your steps is the first step. This will help you identify the location and the time when you lost the keys. Afterwards, make sure to thoroughly look through your bags and pockets. Also, look through any jackets or coats that you may have worn. You can also ask the staff at any establishments or stores you visited if the keys were there.
If you leave your keys in the pockets of your clothing can be a very easy thing to forget. This is especially the case if your jacket or coat has a deep pocket. Also, you should be aware of any bags you carry. Bags, messenger bags, and backpacks can all conceal lost keys. Examine the inside of your car to determine whether you have any keys.
Clean out all pockets of any bags you carry with your. Also empty your purse or messenger bag completely. This will let you see whether your keys are lodged in the lining of the bag. You can also use a flashlight in the darkest areas of your bag or wallet.
You can also walk around the house shouting as loudly as possible "car keys!" This might sound a little absurd, but research has revealed that shouting the name of the item you're looking for can increase the likelihood of finding it.
If you're still struggling to locate your keys, contact an locksmith. 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
It's not uncommon for things to be lost in the shuffle of daily errands, from grocery shopping to dinner with the family to an afternoon spent at the playground. Sometimes it's a debit or your preferred pair of sunglasses, but occasionally it could be most important things like your car keys. If you don't own an extra, it can be a huge headache and a major inconvenience.
Take a deep breath and begin looking for your keys. Start by looking in the most obvious places first. Did you leave them on the coffee table when you went out the door? Perhaps you placed them on the counter to get something from the fridge, but then closed the door and didn't think about them.
If you've cleaned out all of your purses and pockets (and if it was unlocked and you didn't have help, ask someone to search the car as well) You've looked back over your day to determine where they may be missing, and then wiped out every surface that you're likely to have passed as you left the house, then it might be time to take a look under the car. You never know when the key fob fell into a crevice between your seat cushion and floor mat or if you dropped it out of your bag while reaching in to grab something.
It is important to make it a habit to put your keys in the exact same place each time you come home from work. It may take up to a month for the habit to become ingrained, but the more you stick to it 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 in case of an emergency, you could also add the GEICO Emergency Roadside Service to your policy. This will help you save money on towing or replacing keys 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 trying to complete all your work-related tasks that you forget something important. For many, losing your car keys is just one of those things that can cause a disruption to all of your plans.
Before you begin calling everyone you know to ask whether they know where your car keys are take a deep breath, and try not to get stressed. After you have regained calm, you should go back to the steps you made. When was get a spare car key made recall having keys to your car? This will help you figure out where they might have gone missing.
Then, make sure to empty your bags and pockets that you might have put them in. It's also recommended to search in places you wouldn't normally think to look, such as your shoe or the pocket of a coat or jacket. Examine the location where you keep your keys at home. You might have put them on a desk or somewhere other than the home.
If you lose your car keys, it's not fun. But if you use these suggestions, you'll be able to locate them quickly, without having to call a locksmith. The best way to avoid this kind of problem in the future is by establishing a designated place for your keys every time you enter your home. It may take a time to get used to this however, after a few weeks it will become a routine and you won't need to be concerned about them getting lost.