How I Lost My Only Car Key Changed My Life For The Better

· 5 min read
How I Lost My Only Car Key Changed My Life For The Better

What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

Things get lost in the whirlwind that is life including kids, errands, work socializing with friends and so on. It's not always the major stuff. Sometimes, it's the little things like keys.

For most cars keys, a new key can be created at your local hardware store with proof of ownership (car registration or title). This is a low-cost option.

Retract your Steps

It's a pain to lose your only car keys and not be able to get into your car. It can cost you time, money and peace of mind. The first thing to do in the event that you lose the only key to your car is to stay calm. Doing your best to panic isn't going to help you locate your keys any faster, and could even make the situation worse.

Begin by attempting to remember when you last had your keys. They might have been lost when you brought groceries in or you could have put them in your pocket as you were out running an outing. You can find your keys by tracing your steps.

If retracing steps isn't working Try writing down all the places you visited throughout the day. This will trigger your brain and give you the clue to locate your keys. Check every spot you recorded. Sometimes, keys "drift" to the side, floor or underneath something and you might just be able to pick them up right where you left them.

Take a look inside Your Car

In the past the loss or misplacement of a car key wasn't a huge problem. In the past people stored spare keys in a small box connected to their car. Nowadays, however, vehicles are becoming more advanced in technology and keys are more likely to go missing. Replacing a stolen or lost car key can involve several steps and could cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on the kind of vehicle and year of the model. It is important to always keep a spare car key in the event that you lose your original.

Before you begin to panic about losing your only car key take a deep breath and try to stay calm. Once you've got your emotions under control you can begin to work through the steps to locate it. Retrace your steps and reflect on when you last had the keys in your palm. It's common to juggle keys while you grab something else, and they can end up on the floor where you cannot be able to see them.

The next thing to do is to thoroughly search through your car, particularly the places you normally place them. You may have put them on the dashboard when you stepped out of your car to go to a store or perhaps you walked into your bag to get some snacks, but accidentally knocked them out of there.

Take a look in your pockets, purses and bags. It's easy to overlook something in the deep pockets of your coat or in a large bag, so be sure to empty them and carefully examine every crevice.

Get help from a locksmith if you can't locate your keys. If you have an old-fashioned metal key that doesn't have electronic components, you can get a replacement right away. However, if you've got a modernized key fob that includes a chip, you'll need to contact your dealership and possibly provide proof of ownership to get a replacement.

Check Your Hide Spots

It's easy to forget your keys when you're occupied. Whether you were rushing to leave or distracted by a meal while talking on the phone, or you forgot them, it's easy to lose keys. It's good that many people keep an extra key at their home or workplace that they can easily find. It is important to check every place where you've put your spare key. This includes obvious places like bags or purses or even a pocket in the sofa, a pile of mail on your table or a drawer on your dresser. Request a friend to do the same.

There are also magnetic boxes and mini-vaults designed to stick onto your car so you can keep a spare key inside it. They are great for hiding keys, as they won't break when you drive on bumps and can protect your keys from the elements. Many of these storage devices have combination locks, so that even if you hand the key to a person, they can't open it without you.

A fake rock with an enclosed compartment is another way to hide keys. This is a good idea for outdoor areas. However, it is important to be aware that burglars often search for these items. If you do decide to use this method make sure you use dark duct tape to make it more difficult for thieves to see.

One final place to check is the hood of your vehicle. If you have a key that opens the cap on your gas tank it could be an ideal spot to hide it because it won't be as visible. Use a tape that is strong to prevent the key from slipping off or scratching the paint on your car when you take it off. it.

Lost car keys can be a real pain, but there are ways to reduce the impact they have on your daily life. By taking a few minutes to Retract Your Steps and scouring the most frequent hiding spots and calling a local locksmith to locate your keys and avoid losing any time or money.

Call an expert locksmith

Unless you have spare keys stashed somewhere the best thing you can do if you lose the only car key you have is to call locksmith. They can assist you in retrieving it quickly, and they'll also be able to guide you on ways to prevent this from happening again in the future. If you know someone who has a car key duplication shop nearby, that's a different option, but keep in mind that these types of establishments usually require the exact make, model and year of your vehicle to duplicate keys correctly.


If your car is an older model, or if it has an electronic key fob, you'll need to visit your dealer for a new replacement. It can be costly particularly when the dealer needs to purchase a new key for your vehicle. It could also take a few days or weeks.

One thing that many people don't know is that a professional locksmith can usually provide the same service as dealers however at only a fraction of the cost. Insurance policies often cover locksmith fees or towing in the event of a stolen or lost key, and some provide roadside assistance and send experts to your home to help you get back into your vehicle.

It is important to check the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before choosing the dealer. It is also important to notify the police immediately if you can. This will ensure that no one else can have access to your car without your permission, and will also protect you in the event of being robbed or assaulted. Notifying  replacing lost car keys  will allow police officers to be on looking for anyone trying to use your vehicle for illegal purposes. In the worst-case scenario, it could also protect you from charges of criminality should someone attempt to steal your car. The most important thing to remember when you lose the car keys that you have is that you should never panic. Follow the steps above and, if you need to ask a friend or family to help.