Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
Losing your car key can be a terrifying experience. There are a variety of ways to try before calling roadside assistance or a locksmith.
Follow your steps. This will help you locate your keys and give you an opportunity to start from scratch before you take further drastic measures.
1. Retract your Steps
Losing your keys is one of the things that could make you feel stressed. More Support to lose them and you might not even realize it until you have to start your car or enter your house. It can be a hassle to get into your vehicle when you don't have a spare.
It's essential to remain at peace and then take a second look. This will help you locate your keys quickly and avoid needing to call a locksmith or go to the dealership for the new key. Usually, the keys that you lost are within reach or dropped in the vicinity of things you've carried around. Before you start retracing steps it's a good idea to go through your pockets, purses, and bags.
Another great way to find your lost keys is to ask your family and friends members if they saw them. They can often give you useful details and point you to the right direction. This is especially useful for those who live with your roommates or family.
Check your car if you cannot find your keys after rummaging through your purses, wallets and bags. Sometimes, the keys are in the vehicle and you have to look in the right spot to see them. This is a simple procedure that could save you from a lot of hassles.
Get a professional's help if your keys aren't inside the vehicle. It's going to cost you money, however it is worth it to not have to be concerned about being locked out. You should get an extra key in order to avoid this issue in the future. You can even put a brightly colored keychain on your keys to make them easier to spot. This will help you to always know where your keys are and locate them quickly. This is an investment of a few dollars that will pay dividends in the long in the long run!
2. Empty Your Pockets
It can be a frustrating experience to lose your car keys. It happens more frequently than you might think and is always at the worst possible moment such as when you're late to work. In such a situation it is best to remain calm and follow these steps.
Retracing your steps is the first step. This will help you determine where and when the keys were lost. Then, thoroughly look through your bags and pockets. Also, look through any jackets or coats that you may have worn. You could also ask the staff in any restaurant or store you visited if the keys were in your possession.
In the pockets of your clothes can be a very easy thing to forget. This is especially true if you have a deep pocket in a jacket or coat. You should also be aware of any bags you carry. Bags, messenger bags and back packs can all hide keys that have been lost. Examine the inside of your vehicle to see whether you have keys.
It's a good idea empty out all of the pockets of any bag you carry, as well as to completely empty your messenger or purse bag. This will allow you to see if your keys are stuck inside the lining of the bag. You can also use a flashlight to illuminate the darkest areas of your bag or wallet.
You can also walk around the house yelling as loudly as possible "car keys!" It may sound silly, but research has revealed that shouting the name of the item you're looking for can increase the likelihood of finding it.
If you're unable to locate your keys, contact an locksmith. They can help you get an alternative car key and 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, grocery stores and dinner with your children, or even an afternoon in the park, it's not uncommon for things to get lost. Sometimes it's a debit card, or your preferred pair of sunglasses, but other times it can be the most important things like your car keys. If you don't have an extra set, it can cause a massive hassle and a major issue.
Take a deep breath, and begin looking for your keys. Start by looking in the most obvious spots first. Did you put them on your coffee table while you walked out the door? Or perhaps you put them on the counter in the kitchen to get something from the fridge, but then shut the door and didn't think about them.
If you've cleaned out all of your pockets and purses (and in the event that it wasn't locked, have someone help you search the car well) and then looked back over your day to determine where they may have gone missing, and exhausted every surface that you're likely to have passed by when you leave the home, it could be time to take a look under the car. You never know if the key fob slipped down into a crack between your seat cushion and the floor mat or if you removed it from your bag when reaching in to grab something.
It is important to establish a routine to put your keys in the same place each when you return home from work. It may take a month or two to make it a habit, but the longer you stick to this routine and the more easy it will be to find your car keys the next time you require them. If you want to be prepared in the event of an emergency, you could also include the GEICO Emergency Roadside Service to your policy. This will help you save money on towing costs or replacing keys that have been lost.
4. Take a look back at your day
You can forget important things when you're so busy with your day-to-day activities. This includes running errands and getting together with friends for dinner. For many, losing your car keys is one of those things that can make a mess of your plans.
Take an exhale before you begin calling anyone you know and asking them where your keys are. Do not get overwhelmed. After you have regained confidence, you can retrace the steps you did. What was the last time you looked at your car keys? This will help you find the location where your keys may have been.
Next, empty any pockets or bags you may have used to store them. You should also look for places you might not typically think of, like the pockets of your jacket or shoes or the coat. Examine the location where you keep your keys at home. You may have put them on a table or away from view when you entered the house.
The loss of keys to your car is not fun, but if you follow these steps you should be able to find them quickly and easily without needing to call a locksmith or your family for help. The best way to avoid this problem in the future is by establishing a designated place for your keys when you enter your home. After a few weeks you'll become accustomed to it and no longer have to worry about losing your keys.