Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
Losing your car key can be a scary experience. There are a variety of things you can do prior to calling roadside help or a locksmith.
Take a step back. This will help you find your keys and provide you an idea of where to begin before you move on to more drastic steps.
1. Retract your Steps
The loss of keys is one of those things that can really stress you out. You might not even realize they've been lost until you're forced to get inside your home or start your vehicle. If you do not have a spare, it can also be a bit of a hassle to get back into your vehicle.
It's important to stay at peace and then take a second look. This will allow you to find your keys quicker and save you from having to call a locksmith or a dealer to get a replacement key. Your keys that are lost will generally be near you or near something that you've carried. It's a good idea to look through your purse, pockets, and bags before you begin going back to the steps you took.
Another excellent method to locate your lost keys is to ask your family or friends members if they've seen them. They are often able to give you useful information and point you to the right direction. This is particularly helpful when you are living with roommates or family members.
Check your car if you can't locate your keys after looking through your purses, wallets and bags. It could be that your keys are within the vehicle, and you need to look at the right place to find them. This simple trick can spare you a lot headaches.
If you don't have your keys in the car, it's time to get an expert. This will cost you some dollars, but it's worth it to avoid the anxiety of being locked out. In the future, think about getting a spare key made so that you can avoid this issue completely. You could even attach a colorful keychain to make them easier to locate. This will ensure that you'll always be aware of where they are and can find them quickly. This is an investment that is small but will pay dividends in the long time!
2. Empty Your Pockets
Car keys lost and without a spare can be an extremely frustrating experience. It happens more than you think, and always at the worst times, like when you are late for work. The best thing you can do in this situation is to stay calm and follow the steps below.
Retracing your steps is the first step. This will help you determine where and when keys went missing. Then, thoroughly look through your bags and pockets. You should also check the coats and jackets you may have worn. You may also ask the staff in any establishments or stores you visited if the keys were in your possession.
It's easy to forget your keys in your clothing's pockets. This is particularly relevant if your jacket coat has a deep pocket. In addition to jackets and coats it's a good idea check any bags you carry around. Bags, messenger bags, and backpacks can all conceal keys that have been lost. Check the interior of your car to determine if you have any keys.
Empty all pockets from any bags you have on your. Also, empty your purse or messenger bag completely. This will allow you to check whether your keys are tucked away in the lining of the bag. You can also use a flashlight to illuminate the darkest places of your wallet or bag.
You can also stroll around the house yelling louder than you could ever "car keys!" It may sound silly, but studies have demonstrated that shouting out the name of the item you're looking for can increase the likelihood of finding it.
If you're still struggling to locate your keys, contact an locksmith. They can help you get an additional car key or even install a new lock for your door if needed.
3. Check under the car
It's normal for things to be lost in the shuffle of daily chores from grocery shopping to dinner with the family to a day at the park. It could be a debit card, your favorite pair sunglasses, or something more important, like your car key. If you don't have a spare, it can cause a lot of hassle and create a huge headache.
Before you get scared you, take a deep breath, and start searching to find your car keys. It's always recommended to begin with the most obvious places first. For instance did you place them on the coffee table as you were heading out the door? Or maybe link webpage put them on the kitchen counter to grab something out of the fridge, then closed the door and forgot 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 inside the car as well) and then looked back over your day to determine the places they might be missing, and then wiped out every surface that you're likely to have passed by on your way out of the home, it may be time to take a look under the car. You don't know if the key fob fell into the crevice between the cushion of the seat and the floor mat, or was accidentally taken out of your bag as you were reaching inside to get something.
Of course the best way to avoid having a situation like this in the future is to develop a routine of putting your keys in the same spot when you get home from work. It can take up to a month for the habit to become instilled, but the more you stick to it, the easier it is to locate your keys the next time you'll need them. To ensure you're prepared in the event of an emergency, it helps to have GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service on your insurance policy, which could save you the cost of a tow truck or replacing your lost car keys.
4. Look back over your day
Sometimes you get caught up in the day-to-day shuffle of kids' activities, running errands having dinner with friends and trying to complete every single task at hand that you overlook something crucial. The unfortunate thing is that losing your car keys is one of those events that can throw a wrench in all of your plans.
However, before you begin calling anyone you know to ask whether they know where your car keys are, take a deep breath, and try not to panic. After you have regained confidence, you can retrace the steps you did. When was the last moment you saw your car keys? This will help you figure the location where your keys may have disappeared.
Also, be sure to empty your bags and pockets in which you may have put them in. You should also look for places you would not typically think of, such as the pockets of your jacket or coat or your shoe. In addition, you should check the location where you keep your car keys at home. You might have set them on a table or away from view when you entered the house.
If you lose your car keys, it's never fun. However, if you follow these suggestions, you'll be able to locate them quickly, without having to call a locksmith. The best way to avoid this problem in the future is by creating a designated spot for your keys every time you get inside. After some time you'll become accustomed to it and won't need to worry about losing your keys.