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How to Deal With a Lost Key in Your Car It's a nightmare to lose your car keys. However, it's not the end of the world, provided you know what to do. First, locate a spare key and keep it in a safe location or take evidence of ownership to the dealership to have a new one programmed. Keys can get lost in a variety of ways, which will impact how easy or hard it is to replace them. 1. Key Worn Out Over time, keys for cars are subjected to a lot of wear and tear. They are repeatedly put into locks and pockets, then jiggled around and rubbed against each other. They may lose their shape and not fit inside the ignition cylinder. If this happens, the key could either get stuck or it isn't turning. Whatever the case, it could be extremely annoying. It's simple to avoid this by making multiple copies of your new car key. You can then rotate them in order to reduce the wear on each one. In addition, if you do lose your car keys, there's an extra. It is also possible to replace your key fob if it has stopped working properly. These are extremely useful and can be used for a variety of things, including opening doors, starting the engine, and triggering your alarm. It can happen due to several reasons but the most frequent is that it's just worn down from daily use. They are small fragile and can be easily smashed in your pocket or bag. The buttons are prone to be damaged or worn down. In this situation you should look into all possible places like your bag, jacket and other places where you would normally keep them (like in a shoe shine box). Next, call your dealership to see if they have an extra key available. If they don't have a spare key in inventory, they can request it and attach it to your vehicle. This isn't cheap, but it's much better than the other. You can further reduce the likelihood of this happening by not adding any other things to your key ring and regularly lubricating your keys and lock. This will ensure that both last longer and perform as they should. It's also a good idea to keep the spare key in a safe place such as with your family or friends, so you'll have it available when you need it. 2. Damaged Lock If the key fits in the lock but you can't turn it, it could be a problem with the lock itself. The lock tumblers could be clogged with dirt and debris, which can make the mechanism feel stiff. A locksmith can use an oiled tool to clean and lubricate a lock. This will make it feel smoother. Another reason why that a car lock won't turn is that it was forced to close. A burglar might have tried to pry open the door using a device such as a pick or a bump key. If you can see evidence of this on your door handle, take the car to a locksmith as soon as possible. The locksmith can repair the damage and prevent further issues. Certain locksmiths may provide a service to disable your old key in the vehicle, which makes it more difficult for anyone to take your car. You'll need proof of identity and proof that you are the owner of the vehicle in order to get this done. A V5C form with your name on it will typically be accepted. It is recommended to keep a spare car key in your trunk or on your person in case you lose it. A spare key can help you get on the road faster and also save you money by preventing you from needing to call locksmith. Depending on the model of car and key, you may have to contact a locksmith to replace it. Dealerships can provide you with keys to replace, however it could cost an additional towing fee and can take several days to order. A professional locksmith will typically produce a new key much faster and cheaper and might even be capable of programming it to your vehicle in a way that is automatic. More Support can also offer an array of additional services to help keep your car secure like a door re-sealing kit or alarms that prevent theft. Visit PolicyBachat to find out more. 3. Clogged Ignition Cylinder Over time, your key and ignition cylinder will wear out. A worn-out cylinder can jam or bind as it is inserted, removed or turned, which can cause issues with starting and recharging your vehicle. These problems can develop slowly but will become more noticeable as time passes. One of the most common signs of this problem is when the lock key cannot be put into the lock, or is not able to rotate in the ignition cylinder. This is a clear sign that the cylinder has damaged and requires replacement. You could try replacing the cylinder yourself, but it is generally better to have this done by a professional. The ignition cylinder is a small, cylindrical piece of metal that is located inside the lock housing for the cylinder. It is comprised of two tumblers. Each tumbler has a distinct position and can only fit the correct key bumps. In time, tumblers could get worn out or clogged with dirt. To get rid of this issue, you'll have to clean the ignition cylinder port. This can be done using tiny bottles of graphite oil. You can purchase this at your local auto parts store and follow the directions on the label. Remove the dashboard and steering wheel covers from your vehicle. This will provide you with a clearer view of the cylinder port. Look for a pin inserted in the back of the cylinder. This is a security measure that protects your vehicle from being taken. If the ignition cylinder does not turn, you'll need remove the retention pin to allow it to slide out of the housing. The procedure is simple but it requires patience. Make sure that the pin is in accessory position prior to drilling. It is also important to remember that there is a chance of damaging your vehicle's electronics and electrical systems if you drill into the wrong place. Make sure you mark the portion of the drill that extends from the keyway prior to drilling. This will act as a warning to stop you from damaging the cylinder by drilling too deeply. 4. Locked Out If you've accidentally locked your keys in your vehicle, the first thing to do is try not to get scared. Stay calm. You might think you're in a bind however, there are plenty of solutions to get back into your car without breaking the windows or calling a tow-truck. You can use shoelaces, packaging tape, bobbypins or Slim Jims to get into your vehicle. But, it's important to keep in mind that not all methods will work, and you may need to contact an expert for assistance in some cases. The key is to try the least destructive solution first. If you're in a crisis you might not be a fan of the idea that someone else will let you into their car for you, but it is the best option. A lot of roadside assistance plans give their members the option to enter their vehicle without the need for a car key. Take a deep breath and then take a walk around the exterior of your car to check if you have your keys in any other doors or in the trunk. When you're in a hurry it's easy to forget something as simple as the door handle or rearview mirror. Make sure to look everywhere. If you're still unable to unlock your car, be calm and contact your neighbor or a friend who is nearby to help. Oftentimes someone will be willing to assist you to get out of the jam because they don't want to be stranded. If they're unable to help you, then consider calling roadside assistance or determining if your vehicle insurance covers it. To avoid losing a key in the future, make sure to check your car manufacturer's app or use a smart device to turn your phone into a car key fob. You can also buy a key safe that is magnetic to store your spare keys in the safe, keeping them safe from thieves and hidden from.