Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
Losing your car keys can be a frightening experience. There are a variety of things you can do prior to calling for help at the roadside or locksmith.
Take a step back. This will help you locate your keys and give you an idea of where to begin before proceeding to more drastic steps.
1. Retract Your Steps
Losing your keys is just one of the things that could make you feel stressed. You may not realize that they've been lost until you need to get inside your home or start your vehicle. If you do not have a spare, it can also be a trouble to get back into your vehicle.
It's important to stay calm and then retrace your steps. This will help you find your keys quicker and avoid having to call an expert locksmith or dealer to obtain a replacement key. Your lost keys will usually be within reach or near something that you've carried. Before you begin looking for your lost keys, it's a great idea to search through your pockets, purses and bags.
Another way to locate your keys that you have lost is to ask your family or friends members if they've seen them. You can obtain useful information from them and they can point you in the correct direction. This is especially useful when you live in a house with your roommates or family.
Check your car if you can't find your keys after rummaging through your purses, wallets and bags. Sometimes, spare car key fob are inside your vehicle and you have to look in the right spot to locate them. This simple action can save you from a lot headaches.
If your keys aren't inside the car, it's definitely time to call a professional. It's going to cost you money, however it is worth it to not have to be concerned about being locked out. You should have a spare key to avoid this issue in the future. You can put an attractive keychain color on your keys to help you find them. This will allow you to always know where your keys are, and also locate them quickly. This is a tiny, but very worth it investment!
2. Empty your pockets
Losing keys to your car with having no spare keys is a very stressful experience. It happens more often than you think, and usually happens at the worst time such as when you're late to work. The best thing to do in this circumstance is to stay calm and follow the steps below.
The first step is to trace your steps. This will allow you to determine the location and time when keys were lost. After that, be sure to thoroughly look through your bags and pockets. Also, look over your jackets and other outerwear you might have worn. You may also ask the staff in any establishments or stores you visited to see if the keys were there.
If you leave your keys in the pockets of your clothes can be a very easy thing to forget. This is especially true if your jacket or coat has a deep pocket. Also, you should be aware of the bags you carry. Messenger bags, purses and backpacks can all be hiding spots for keys that are lost. Examine the inside of your vehicle to determine if you have any keys.
It is a good idea to empty all the pockets in any bags that you carry, as well as to empty your messenger or purse bag. This will allow you to check whether your keys are tucked away in the lining of the bag. It's also an excellent idea to make use of flashlights to illuminate the dark corners of your purse or bag.
Another tip is to go around the house shouting "car keys!" as loudly as you can. This might sound a little silly, but studies have shown that shouting the name of the item you're looking for can increase the likelihood of finding it.
If you're still unable to locate your keys, contact a locksmith. They can assist you in getting an alternative car key and even install a new door lock in the event of need.
3. Check Under the Car
It's normal for things to be lost in the shuffle of everyday chores, from grocery shopping to dinner with the family or a day at the park. Sometimes it's a debit card or your most loved pair of sunglasses, but other times it's most important items, like your car keys. And if you don't have an extra set, it can be a huge headache and a major inconvenience.
Take a deep breath, and begin searching for your keys. It's always best to start with the obvious locations first - for example did you put them on your coffee table when you were leaving the house? Or maybe you put them on the counter in the kitchen to grab something out of the fridge, then closed the door and forgot about them.
Check under the car if you've emptied all your pockets and purses, walked through your day to see if it's possible to remember where you went while driving to the home and emptying every surface you might have seen. You never know when the key fob has fallen into a crack between your seat cushion and floor mat or if you dropped it out of your bag when reaching in to grab something.
Of course, the best way to avoid a situation similar to this is to establish a habit of putting your keys in the same place when you come home from work. It may take a few months to make the habit instilled, but the more you stick to it, the easier it is to locate your keys next time you'll need them. To ensure that you're prepared in the event in an emergency, it also is beneficial to include GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service on your policy, which can save you the cost of a tow truck or replacing your lost car keys.
4. Take a look back at your day
Sometimes, you get overwhelmed by the day-to-day shuffle of kids' activities, running errands having dinner with friends and attempting to complete all your work-related tasks that you overlook something crucial. For many, losing your car keys is just one of those events that can make a mess of your plans.
Before you begin calling everyone you know to inquire them where your car keys are, take a deep breath, and take a step back and try not to get stressed. Once you've regained your calm, you should go back to the steps you did. When was the last time you remember having keys to your car? This will help you pinpoint where they may have gone missing.
Then, empty any pockets or bags you may have used to store them. You should also check places you would not normally consider, like the pockets of your jacket, coat or your shoe. Check the place you keep your keys at home. You may have placed them on a desk or somewhere other than the home.
If you lose your car keys, it's never enjoyable. However, 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 the designated place for your keys inside. It might take a time to get used this but after a while it will become a habit and you won't have to be concerned about them being lost.