Do I Need to Replace the Locks If I Lost a Car Key?
2 Answers
There is no mandatory requirement for car owners to replace all the locks, but replacing all the locks can prevent vehicle theft. After setting the lost key as an invalid key at the repair station, this key will no longer be able to start the vehicle, but it can still unlock the doors, posing a risk of theft of valuable items. Here are some suggestions regarding the use of car keys: 1. Keep the spare key separate from the main key and do not lock the spare key inside the car. This prevents thieves from driving away with the spare key if the main key is lost. 2. If you realize there are valuable items inside the car after losing the key, consult your insurance company about the compensation process for vehicle theft and ensure timely evidence collection. 3. If the car does not have an anti-theft system, consider installing a steering wheel lock to prevent car theft in case of key loss.
After losing car keys, whether to replace the locks is an important safety consideration. If you lost a smart key that enables keyless entry and ignition, the risk is extremely high. If someone else picks up the key, they could easily unlock and drive away your car, which would be a huge loss. I’ve been in a similar situation before—I immediately went to the 4S dealership, where they reprogrammed the anti-theft system to deactivate the old key and issued a new one. The whole process cost a few hundred dollars, but it gave me much more peace of mind. If you lose a traditional metal key, replacing the door and ignition locks is cheaper, costing just over 100 yuan, but you still shouldn’t take it lightly. I recommend checking your car’s anti-theft features, such as adding a steering wheel lock or GPS tracker, to enhance security. If you lose your keys, don’t delay—act immediately. Protecting your car’s safety should always come first.
