Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do
Losing your car keys could be a frightening experience. There are a few things you can do before calling roadside assistance or a locksmith.
Take a step back. This will help you locate your keys and give you the opportunity to start from scratch before proceeding to more drastic measures.
1. Retract your Steps
The loss of keys is one of the things that can make you feel stressed. You might not even realize you've lost them until you need to enter your home or start your car. It's a pain to get in your car if you don't own a spare.
It's important to stay at peace and then go back to where you started. This will help you locate your keys quickly and prevent having to contact a locksmith or go to the dealership for new keys. Usually, spare car keys lost keys are close by or have been dropped near things you've carried around. Before you begin retracing steps it's a good idea to go through your pockets, purses, and bags.
Asking your family and friends if they've seen your keys is a great way to locate them. You can gather valuable information from them and they can guide you in the right direction. This can be especially useful if you are living with roommates or family members.
If you have combed through your wallets, purses, and bags and can't locate your keys, it may be time to look inside your vehicle. It could be that your keys are in the vehicle and you have to look in the right spot to locate them. This simple action will save you from numerous headaches.
Contact a professional if you suspect your keys aren't inside the vehicle. This could cost you dollars, but it's worth it to avoid the anxiety of being locked out. You should get a spare key to avoid this issue in the future. You could even add a brightly colored keychain on your keys to make them easier to spot. This will help you always be aware of where your keys are and find them quickly. This is a small but very profitable investment!
2. Empty your Pockets
Lost keys to your car having no spare keys can be an extremely frustrating experience. It happens more often than you think, and always happens at the worst time such as when you're running late for work. The best option in this situation is to remain calm and follow the steps below.
The first step is to retrace your steps. This will help you figure out the exact location and time you lost the keys. Afterwards, make sure to thoroughly look through your bags and pockets. Also, look over any jackets or other outerwear you might have worn. You can also ask the staff in any restaurant or store you visited to see if the keys were in your possession.
It's easy to lose your keys in your clothing's pockets. This is particularly true if you have pockets that are deep in your coat or jacket. In addition to jackets and coats, it's a good idea to examine any bags that you carry. Bags, messenger bags and back packs can all hide keys that have been lost. Check the inside of your car to determine whether you have keys.
Clean out all pockets of any bags you have on you. Also, empty your messenger bag or purse completely. This will allow you to determine whether your keys are tucked away in the lining of your bag. You can also use a flashlight to illuminate the darkest areas of your wallet or bag.
You can also stroll around your home shouting as loudly as you can "car keys!" It may sound silly, but research has demonstrated that shouting out the name of the thing you're searching for can boost your chances of finding it.
Contact a locksmith if you haven't been able to locate your keys. They can help you get an alternative car key and even install a new lock for your door should you require it.
3. Check Under the Car
It's common for things to be lost in the shuffle of everyday chores from grocery shopping to dinner with the family to an afternoon at the playground. Sometimes it's a debit card, or your most loved pair of sunglasses, but sometimes it could be most important things like your car keys. If you don't own an extra, it can cause a massive headache and a major inconvenience.
Take a deep breath, and begin looking for your keys. It's always a good idea to start with the obvious locations first. For instance did you put them on your coffee table when you were heading out the door? You might have set them on the counter in your kitchen as you headed to the fridge, but then closed the door and forgotten about them.
Check under the car if you've emptied all of your purses and pockets and then walk around your day to see if you recall where you passed by on your way to the home. You've emptied every surface you could have encountered. You never know if the key fob fell into a crack between your seat cushion and floor mat or if you knocked it out of your bag while reaching for something.
Of course the best way to avoid having a situation similar to this is to establish a routine of putting your keys in the same spot when you get home from work. It could take up to a month to make the habit ingrained, but the more you maintain it, the easier it is to locate your keys next time you'll need them. To ensure that you're ready in case in an emergency, it also is beneficial to include GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service on your policy, which can help you avoid the expense of a tow vehicle or replacing your lost car keys.
4. Walk Back Through Your Day
It's easy to overlook important things when you're occupied with your day-to-day activities. This includes running errands, or even meeting friends for dinner. Losing your car keys can be a major disruption to your plans.
Take a deep breath before you begin calling anyone you know and asking them where your keys are. Try not to be anxious. Once you've gained control of your emotions the first thing you need to do is to retrace your steps. When was the last moment you looked at your car keys? This will help you figure out where your keys might have disappeared.
Then, make sure to empty your pockets and bags that you may have put them in. It's also a good idea to look in places that you would not normally look, such as your shoes or the pockets of a jacket or coat. Check the place you keep your keys at home. You may have placed them on a desk or other than the house.
The loss of keys to your car is never fun, but if you follow these tips you should be able to find them quickly and easily without needing to contact a locksmith or family members for assistance. You can avoid this problem in the future by having an area designated for your keys inside your. After a few weeks you'll get used to it and won't need to be concerned about losing your keys.