Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
Losing your car keys could be a terrifying event. There are many ways to try before calling roadside assistance or a locksmith.
The first thing to do is to go back and trace your steps. This will help you locate your keys and provide a place to start before you take more drastic measures.
1. Retract your Steps
It's easy to be stressed by losing your keys. It's possible that you don't realize they've been lost until you have to get into your home or start your vehicle. It can be a hassle to get in your vehicle when you don't have a spare.
You should remain at peace and go back to the steps you did. This can help you find your keys quickly and prevent needing to call a locksmith or head to the dealer for the new key. Your keys that are lost will generally be close to you or in proximity to something you've been carrying. Before you start looking for your lost keys, it's a great idea to look through your purses, pockets, and bags.
Asking your family and friends if they've seen your keys is another excellent way to find them. You can get helpful information from them, and they may point you in the correct direction. This can be especially useful if you live with roommates or family members.
If you have combed through your wallets, purses and bags and are unable to locate your keys, it might be time to take a look inside your vehicle. Sometimes your keys are just inside your car, and you must find the right spot to find them. This simple trick can save you from a lot headaches.
If your keys aren't inside the car, it's definitely time to get a professional. It's a bit expensive, however it is worth it to not worry about being locked out. You should get a spare key to avoid this issue in the future. You can put a keychain in a bright color on your keys to help you see them. This will ensure that you'll always know where they are, and can find them quickly. This is a tiny but very worth it investment!
2. Empty Your Pockets
Lost keys to your car without a spare can be an extremely frustrating experience. It happens more than you think, and always at the worst possible time such as when you are late for work. In this case it is best to remain calm and follow these steps.
The first step is to retrace your steps. This will help you figure out where and when you lost your keys. After that, search your pockets and bag thoroughly. Also, check your jackets and other outerwear you may have worn. You can also ask the staff at any establishments or stores you visited to see if the keys were there.
It is easy to forget your keys in your clothes' pockets. This is especially true if you have pockets that are deep in your jacket or coat. In addition to jackets and coats, it's a good idea look over any bags you have with you. Bags, messenger bags, and backpacks can all be hiding places for lost keys. You should also look around the inside of your car to see if they're there.
Empty all pockets from any bags you carry with you. Also getting spare key for car or messenger bag completely. This will allow you to see the presence of keys in the lining of your bag. It's also recommended to utilize flashlights to illuminate the dark areas of your purse or bag.
Another option is to walk around the house, yelling "car keys!" as loudly as you can. It may sound silly, but shouting out the name of something you are trying to find increases the chances of finding the item.
If you're still unable to locate your keys, contact a locksmith. They can help you get an additional car key or even install a new door lock should you require it.
3. Check under the car
It's normal 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. It can be a debit card, your favorite pair sunglasses or even something more crucial like your car keys. And if you don't have an extra set, it can be a huge troublesome and major hassle.
Before you get scared, take a deep breath and start searching for your car keys that you lost. Start by looking in the most obvious spots first. Did you leave them on your coffee table when you went out the door? You might have placed them on the counter in your kitchen as you headed to the fridge but then closed the door and forgotten about them.
Examine the underside of the car to see if you've used up all your pockets and purses, walked through your day to see if you remember where you went on your way to the house and emptied every surface you may have seen. You never know when the key fob fell into a crevice between your seat cushion and the floor mat, or if you accidentally knocked it out of your bag when reaching for something.
Of course the best method to avoid a situation similar to this is to establish a routine of keeping your keys in the same location when you get home from work. It could take a month or two for it to stick and the longer you stick to this routine and the more easy it will be to find your car keys when you require them. If you'd like to be prepared for an emergency, you could also include GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your policy. This will save you money on towing charges or replacing lost keys.
4. Review your day
Sometimes, you get caught up in the day-to-day chaos of children's activities, running errands, meeting friends for dinner and attempting to complete every single task at hand that you forget something important. The loss of your car keys could be a major disruption to your plans.
Before you begin calling anyone you know to ask them where your car keys are, take a deep breath, and take a step back and try not to panic. Once you've regained control over your emotions, the first thing you need to do is go back to where you started. What was the last time you saw your car keys? This will help you pinpoint where they might have gone missing.
Also, be sure to empty your pockets and bags that you may have put them in. It's also recommended to look in places that you would not normally look like your shoes or the pockets of a coat or jacket. You should also check where you keep your keys at home. They may have been placed on a table or somewhere in a different location when you entered the house.
Losting your car keys is never enjoyable, but if you follow these tips, you will be able find them quickly and easily, without needing to contact a locksmith or family members for help. The best way to avoid this kind of problem in the future is by establishing a designated place for your keys when you come inside. It may take a time to get used to this however, after a few weeks it will become a habit and you won't need to be concerned about them getting lost.