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How to Deal With a Lost Key in Your Car

It’s a nightmare to lose your car keys. However, it’s not the end of the world, provided you know what to do.

You can either bring evidence of ownership or a spare key to the dealer for a new one programmed. You can lose your keys in various ways, which will affect how easy or hard it is to replace them.

1. Worn Out Key

Over time, keys to cars get a lot of wear. They are frequently put into locks, jingled around in pockets and rubbed against each other. They can lose their shape and no longer fit inside the ignition cylinder. If this occurs, the key will either become stuck or won’t turn. It can be a hassle in both instances.

It’s easy to avoid this by creating multiple copies of your brand new car key. You can then rotate them to reduce the wear on each one. Plus, if you ever lose your car keys, you’ll have an extra.

You might also have to replace your key fob if it’s stopped working properly. As you’ve probably guessed, these are very handy to have, and they can do various tasks such as unlocking your doors and launching your engine to activating the alarm. It can happen for a variety of reasons, but most often it is because the button is been worn out. They are small delicate and are often tossed around in your purse or pocket. The buttons are prone to be broken or worn down.

If this happens the first thing you should do is check thoroughly in all the places it could be, including your bag or jacket and even in places you would not normally place them (like in a shoebox). The next step is to call your dealer to inquire if they’ve got an extra key in stock. If they don’t have a spare key in inventory, they can request it and then pair it with your vehicle. It’s expensive but it’s more efficient than the alternatives.

You can also reduce the risk of this happening by avoiding adding anything else to your key ring, and regularly lubricating your keys and lock. This will ensure that they both last longer and perform as they should. It’s also a good idea to keep an extra key in a secure location such as with your family or with your friends, so you’ll have it when you need it.

2. Damaged Lock

If the key fits in the lock but you’re unable to turn it, it might be a problem with the lock itself. The tumblers of the lock could be blocked by dirt and other debris. This could cause the mechanism to feel stiff. Locksmiths can make use of an oil-lubricated tool to clean and lubricate the lock. This will allow it to feel more smooth.

A car lock that isn’t able to turn could have been jammed by force. A burglar might have employed a tool like a bump key or a pick to open the door open. If you notice evidence of this on your door handle, you should bring the vehicle to a locksmith immediately. The locksmith can fix the damage and prevent future issues.

Certain locksmiths offer services that disable your old keys inside the vehicle. This makes it harder for someone to steal your vehicle. You’ll need to provide proof of your identity and prove that you own the vehicle before this can be done. A V5C form that has your name on it will typically be accepted.

It is also advisable to keep a spare car key in your trunk or on your person in case you lose it. A spare key can allow you to get back on the road quickly and also prevents you from having to pay for locksmith.

You might need to contact a professional locksmith to change keys based on your vehicle. Dealerships can supply replacement keys, but they’ll need a towing cost and you may have to order one for you, which can take days. A professional locksmith can make a key faster and at a lower cost. They might even be able to program it to communicate with your vehicle on autopilot. They can also provide a range of services to ensure your vehicle is safe, such as an resealing kit for doors and alarms against theft. Find out more on PolicyBachat.

3. Clogged ignition cylinder

Over time, the ignition cylinder and key can wear out. A worn-out cylinder could be stuck or jammed when it is inserted, removed, or turned which can interfere in starting and powering up your vehicle. These issues may develop slowly but they will become more apparent over time.

This problem is typically indicated by the inability to insert the key into the lock or rotate the ignition cylinder. This indicates that the cylinder needs to be replaced. You can try to replace the cylinder on your own, but it is usually better to get it done by professionals.

The ignition cylinder is a tiny metal cylindrical part which is found inside the lock cylinder housing and has a pair of tumblers. Each tumbler is assigned a particular location and is only suited to the right key bumps. As time passes, the tumblers can become worn down or clogged with dirt. To fix this issue, you’ll have to clean the ignition cylinder port. This can be done using tiny bottles of graphite oil. You can purchase it at your local auto parts store and