Lost Spare Car Key? Here's What to Do

car keys lost replacement wasn't too long ago that losing your car keys wasn't a big issue. You'd call your local locksmith and they'd make a new key for you.

Today, it's a lot more complicated. It's all dependent on the kind of key you have and whether you've lost your spare. Here are some tips to assist you in finding your car keys.

Retract your steps

We all lose things. Maybe you're running a quick errand and forget to put your keys on the hook in the entryway, or you're returning home after an exhausting day at work and throw them on the couch. It can be frustrating to lose your spare key.

The first thing you have to do is to take a deep breath and try not to panic. Remember, your keys aren't lost forever. You are still able to find them with some thorough searching! It's important to have an emergency plan by calling a professional locksmith for your car, just in case.

Once you've gotten your head in order and gained control over your emotions, it's time to start searching for your keys. One of the most effective ways to retrace your steps is simply remembering where you last remember seeing them. It's easier than you think, especially when you put your eyes closed and think about the exact location you last observed the person.

Once you've thought about the last time you've seen them, start by looking at the various places they could be. Include your car, home and any other popular areas you've visited throughout the daytime. You could even ask your friends or family members to join the hunt, which will provide you with more eyes to see with!

If you're in the car, look at the driver's side door handle and the center console for evidence of an extra key. Also, make sure you look through any bags or pockets you may have carried around during the day. It's not common for keys to become "lost" in the car, so be sure to look thoroughly in the compartments of your car!

Check Your Hideouts

No matter how careful you are in your vehicle, keys to your car can be a bit tricky to keep on top of. They're among the most frequently lost objects, and they can quickly become an absolute nightmare in the blink of naivete. There are some steps you can do prior to calling a locksmith if you've lost your keys to your car.

Before you begin searching for your keys you should check the areas where you typically place keys. Check the key bowl or holder on your table. You can also ask someone else nearby, such as an employee or a fellow customer. They may have seen them in the chaos during your shopping trip, or even found them while cleaning up.

Some people keep their spare keys inside the car, and this could be a good option. If the hood of your car can be opened from the outside, it is essential to put the spare key in a secure nook so that it won't be smashed when the hood closes. Mini-vaults and magnetic boxes may be affixed to your car to keep your keys safe and easily accessible.

You can also put keys that are spare in the car's tailpipe, however, this is usually difficult to use and not very discrete. It is also possible that the tailpipe will be covered with mud or snow and it will be difficult to find the key inside.

Another spot where people often put their keys behind the tires. This is a great way to hide your keys, but you should be aware that the tires of your vehicle are visible regardless of what you wear.

It's also possible to leave your spare car keys with an individual who is a trusted family member, especially in case you're traveling and don't want to lose it. However, if you have a proximity key, you should be careful about leaving it with strangers since certain thieves may use signal relay and amplifier technology to hijack the signal from your key fob and unlock your car even when the key is miles away.

Check Inside Your Car

It's impossible to know where you might lose something such as a key fob, and this isn't an exception. It's therefore advisable to check everywhere. This involves going back to the last place you remember using it and retracing your steps and contacting workers or owners of places you've been to and could have lost it.

If you suspect that you have left keys in your car, you need to check. This involves looking in the glove compartment (it's a common location to store keys to your car), the area under the front seats, and that mysterious black hole inside cars that could swallow a small item such as a key fob.

You should also make sure that you check the backpacks or purses that you carry with you, as they might contain a missing car key. You will need to carefully look through all pockets and compartments of your backpack or purse. Check for zippered areas and remove items like sunglasses and makeup from your bag to check beneath.

Contact a locksmith if tried these steps and are still unable to locate your car keys. They can assist you with replacing keys that are lost in your car, and get you on the road in the shortest amount of time.

You can avoid this situation by having a spare car key. But, you must add an Bluetooth tracker to your keys so that it's easier to keep on top of them. These tiny devices attach to your keys and emit an unique signature, allowing you to connect them to an application on your phone to be aware of where they are at all times.

You can also call your dealer and ask them to create your new key. They'll likely be able to complete the task quickly, since they have your car's security details in their database. It may be a bit more difficult if you own a smart vehicle as they will need to connect the key to your car. This could take some time. It's essential to always have an extra car key.

Contact a locksmith

If you're unable to find your car keys in an unlikely event, it is vital that you call a locksmith immediately. This will not only help you gain entry into your vehicle however, it will also ensure that no one else has access. If you do not notify the lost key fob as soon as you can it could cause further issues later on such as someone trying to impersonate you.

Modern cars require a keyfob in order to unlock and operate them. If you have lost your key fob it is crucial to have a spare in order to avoid having to pay for the vehicle to be taken to the dealer and then pay for a new set of keys.

A locksmith can make a new key for your car without needing to know the exact specifications of your car's security system. They can also disable the previous key to prevent it from being able to be used again. Locksmiths can tell you which type of car key you need according to the information on your registration or title.

It is recommended to avoid the loss of your car keys by keeping them in a safe place, separated from your lanyard or keychain. This will make it less likely that you will accidentally drop the keys or that they slip out of your pocket.


Another method to avoid loss of your spare car key is to write down your vehicle identification number (VIN) and keep it with you at all at all times. It is a unique number that helps identify your car, and it is located on the driver's dashboard or door jamb the frame of your car.

Whether you need to replace your car's spare key or reduce the risk of losing it altogether A locksmith in your neighborhood is the best option for getting your life back on course. It's also less expensive than a trip to the dealership and you might even be able to get the spare key created on-site.