Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
The loss of your car keys can be a terrifying experience. There are several things that you can do before calling for help at the roadside or a locksmith.
Follow your steps. This will help you find your keys and give you an idea of where to begin before moving on to more drastic steps.
1. Retract Your Steps
The loss of keys is one of those things that can really make you feel stressed. You might not even realize they've been lost until you need to get inside your home or start your car. It can be a hassle to get in your car if you don't own a spare.
You should remain calm and retrace the steps you took. This will allow you to find your keys quicker and avoid needing to contact an expert locksmith or dealer to obtain a replacement key. Usually, your lost keys are within reach or dropped in the vicinity of things you've carried around. It's a good idea to comb through your purse, pockets and bags before you begin retracing your steps.
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 will point you in the correct direction. This is especially helpful when you live in a house with your roommates or family.
If you've searched through your purses, wallets, and bags and can't find your keys, it might be time to take a look inside your vehicle. You may find that your keys are inside the vehicle and you just need to look at the right spot to locate them. This simple action can save you from numerous headaches.
If you don't have your keys in the car, it's definitely time to get a professional. This will cost you some dollars, but it's worth it to avoid the stress of being locked out. In the future, you should consider having an extra key so that you can get rid of this issue completely. You could even attach a colorful keychain on your keys to make them easier to see. This will help you to always know where your keys are and find them quickly. This is a tiny, but very worth it investment!
2. Empty your pockets
It can be a traumatic experience to lose your car keys. It happens more often than you think, and always at the worst time possible such as when you are late for work. In such a situation it's best to remain calm and adhere to these steps.
Retracing your steps is the first step. This will help you identify the exact location and time you lost your keys. After that, go through your bag and pockets thoroughly. You should also look in the coats and jackets you may have worn. You may also ask the staff at any establishments or stores you visited if your keys were there.
It is easy to forget your keys in your clothes' pockets. This is particularly true if your jacket or coat has a large pocket. You should also examine the bags you carry. Bags, messenger bags and back packs can all hide lost keys. Also, you should check the inside of your vehicle to determine whether they're there.
Empty all pockets from any bags you have on you. Also empty your purse or messenger bag completely. This will allow you to see the presence of keys inside the bag's lining. It's also an excellent idea to use flashlights to illuminate the dark corners of your bag or purse.
You can also stroll around the house shouting louder than you could ever "car keys!" This might sound a little silly, but studies have revealed that shouting the name of the thing you're looking for can increase the likelihood of finding it.
If you're unable to locate your keys, contact an locksmith. They can assist you with an additional car key or even install a new door lock in the event of need.
3. Check under the car
When you're running a series of errands, from school drop off and pick up to grocery store runs or dinner with the kids, or an afternoon spent at the park - it's common for things to get lost. Sometimes it's a debit card, or your preferred pair of sunglasses, but occasionally it's most important items, like your car keys. If you don't keep an extra set, it could cause a lot of trouble and create a huge headache.
Relax and begin searching for your keys. It's always recommended to begin with the most obvious places first - for example, did you set them on the coffee table as you were leaving the house? You may have put them on the counter in your kitchen while you were going to the refrigerator, but then closed the door and then forgot about them.
If you've emptied all of your pockets and purses (and if the lock was not locked, have someone help you search inside the car as well), looked back over your day to determine the places they might be missing, and sifted through every surface you're likely to remember passing when you leave the home, it could be time to take a look under the car. You never know when the key fob has fallen into a crack between your seat cushion and floor mat, or if you accidentally removed it from your bag when reaching inside to grab something.
spare key maker is crucial to establish a routine to place your keys in the exact same place every time you get home from work. It may take up to a month to make the habit ingrained, but the more you stick to it, the easier it is to locate your keys next time you'll need them. If you're looking to be prepared in case of an emergency, you could also include GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your policy. This will save you money on towing or replacing lost keys.
4. Look back over your day
You can forget important things when you're so busy with your daily activities. This can include running errands, or even meeting 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 calling everyone you know and asking where your keys are. Be careful not to panic. Once you've regained control of your emotions the first thing you should do is go back to where you started. What was the last time you looked at your car keys? This will help you figure out where your keys might have disappeared.
Then, make sure to empty your pockets and bags in which you may have put them in. It's also recommended to search in places you wouldn't normally think to consider, like your shoes or the pockets of a coat or jacket. Finally, check the place where you keep your keys for your car at home. You might have set them on a table or else out of sight as you entered.
If you lose your car keys, it's not enjoyable. If you follow these tips, you can find them quickly and without calling a locksmith. You can prevent this from happening in the future by having a designated spot for your keys inside. It may take a time to get used to this, but after a while it will become a habit and you won't have to be concerned about them getting lost.