Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
Losing your car key can be a scary experience. There are many things you can try before calling locksmith or roadside assistance.
The first thing to do is to retrace your steps. This will assist you in finding your keys and give you an opportunity to start from scratch before you take any more drastic steps.
1. Retract your Steps
Losing your keys is just one of the things that could stress you out. You may not realize that you've lost them until you need to get into your home or start your vehicle. If you don't have a spare it could be a a hassle to get back into your vehicle.
It is important to remain calm and repeat the steps you have taken. This will allow you to locate your keys faster and prevent you from having to call an expert locksmith or dealer to obtain a replacement key. Most likely, the keys you lost are in close proximity or have been dropped near something you've been carrying around. It's a good idea comb through your pockets, purses, and bags before you begin going back to the steps you took.
Asking your family and friends if they've seen your keys is another good way to find them. They can often provide you with useful information and point you to the right direction. This is especially helpful for those who have roommates or family members.
Make sure you check your car if can't locate your keys after looking through your wallets, purses and bags. Sometimes, the keys are inside your vehicle and you have to look in the right spot to locate them. This simple action can spare you a lot headaches.
Call a professional if your keys aren't in the vehicle. It's a bit expensive but it's worth it to not have to worry about being locked out. You should get an extra key in order to avoid this issue in the future. You can even attach a colorful keychain to make them easier to spot. This will help you to always know where your keys are, and also locate them quickly. This is a small but very profitable investment!
2. Empty Your Pockets
Losing keys to your car with without a spare can be an extremely frustrating experience. It happens more frequently than you think, and usually at the worst time possible such as when you are late to work. The best option in this scenario is to keep calm and follow the steps below.
Retracing your steps is the first step. This will help you identify where and when the keys were lost. Afterwards, make sure to thoroughly look through your bags and pockets. Also, check any jackets or other outerwear you may have worn. It is also recommended to ask the staff at any restaurants or stores you've went to if they've seen your keys.
It is easy to forget your keys inside your clothing's pockets. This is especially the case if your jacket or coat has a deep pocket. In addition to coats and jackets it's a good idea check any bags you carry. Bags, messenger bags, and backpacks can all be hiding places for lost keys. Check you could try here of your vehicle to see if you have any keys.
Clean out all pockets of any bags you have on your. Also, empty your messenger bag or purse completely. This will help you see if any keys are stuck inside the bag's lining. It's also a good idea to make use of a flashlight to shine into the dark corners of your purse or bag.
Another tip is to go around the house yelling "car keys!" as loudly as you can. It may sound silly, but research has shown that shouting the name of the item you're looking for can increase your chances of finding it.
If you're still struggling to locate your keys, contact a locksmith. They'll help you obtain an alternative key for your car, and could even install a brand new lock on your door, if necessary.
3. Check Under the Car
When you're in a whirlwind of errands - from school drop off and pick-up to grocery stores, dinner with the kids, or an afternoon spent at the park, it's not unusual for things to get lost in the shuffle. It could be a credit card, a pair of your favorite sunglasses, or even something more crucial like your car key. If you don't have an extra, it could cause a lot of hassle and be a big headache.
Take a deep breath and begin searching for your keys. Start by looking at the most obvious spots first. Did you leave them on the coffee table while you walked out the door? Or maybe you put them on the kitchen counter to grab something from the fridge, then closed the door and then forgot about them.
If you've cleaned out all of your purses and pockets (and in the event that it wasn't locked, have someone help you search the car well), looked back over your day to see the places they might be missing, and exhausted every surface you're likely remember passing when you leave the home, it could be time to look under the car. You never know if the key fob has fallen into a crack between your seat cushion and floor mat or if you dropped it out of your bag while reaching in to grab something.
It is essential to make it a habit to place your keys in the same spot each when you return home from work. It may take up to a month for the habit to become instilled, but the more you stick to it and the more easy it will be to locate your keys next time you need to. If you'd like to be prepared for an emergency, you could also add the GEICO Emergency Roadside Service to your policy. This will save you money on towing charges or replacing lost keys.
4. Look back over your day
Sometimes, you get overwhelmed by the day-to-day shuffle of kids' activities, running errands, going out with friends for dinner and attempting to complete every single task at hand that you forget to do something important. The unfortunate thing is that losing your car keys is one of those situations that could make a mess of your plans.
Take a deep breath before you start calling anyone you know and asking them where your keys are. Do not get overwhelmed. After you have regained composure, you should retrace the steps you did. What was the last time you saw your car keys? This will help you determine where they may have gone missing.
Next, empty any pockets or bags you may have used to store them. You should also check places that you wouldn't typically think of, like the pockets of your jacket, coat or your shoe. Finally, check the place where you keep your car keys at home. You might have set them on a table or away from view when you came inside.
Losing keys to your car is not enjoyable, but if adhere to these guidelines, you will be able to locate them quickly and easily, without having to contact a locksmith or your family for help. You can prevent this from happening in the future by establishing a designated spot for your keys inside. After some time you'll become accustomed to it and not have to worry about losing your keys.