What to Do If Car Keys Are Lost?
2 Answers
After losing the keys, the lost keys can still open the car door but cannot start the engine. Therefore, during the period when the keys are lost, try not to leave valuables in the car and replace the entire car lock as soon as possible. Take the following measures: 1. Use the spare key. Generally, cars now come with two keys, one for regular use and the other as a spare. When the regular key is lost, the spare key can be used. So remember, never keep the spare key in the car; always store it in a safe place at home. 2. Contact a professional locksmith company. If the vehicle is far from the spare key or the spare key cannot be found, you will have to call a professional locksmith company to unlock the car. Usually, relevant documents such as ID cards and vehicle licenses are required. 3. Get a new key configured at a 4S shop. Each car comes with an anti-theft code. As long as the owner provides the vehicle license and identity information to the 4S shop, the shop can obtain the anti-theft code based on the provided information and then configure a new key. At the same time, the data of the lost key can be erased, meaning the lost key becomes an illegal key and will be unable to start the vehicle, though it can still open the door. Therefore, the 4S shop may also recommend replacing the entire car lock to ensure safety.
Last time I lost my car key, and it drove me crazy! The first step is to check if there's a spare key, maybe in a drawer at home or the office. If you find it, use it for the time being. If not, don't panic—immediately contact your car's 4S dealership or authorized service center. Inform them about the lost key, and they'll ask for vehicle documents like the registration and your ID to verify your identity. Getting a new key isn't just a couple of hundred bucks; especially for smart keys, it could cost several hundred or even over a thousand, plus programming to match the vehicle system, which might take hours or a couple of days. To prevent theft, it's best to have the dealership deactivate the old key so no one can use it if found. This whole ordeal was exhausting, so I learned my lesson and got two keys—one for daily use and another stashed away just in case. Make it a habit not to leave keys lying around or use a keychain to keep them attached to you, reducing the risk of loss.
