When your car keys are missing or someone else has access to your car, you may be in a vulnerable situation. This happens to the best of us all too often, and one wrong move can mean your life is put in danger.
If you find yourself in such a situation, do not worry- there are still options to protect yourself. By having the tools to prevent this from happening and/or respond quickly if it does, you will be thrilled with the results!
This article will talk about how to tell if your keys are stolen or have been removed, what to do if that happens, and what you should do if they have been lost. We will also talk about what to do if someone else has your keys.
Contents:
Check nearby trash cans
If you can’t find the car keys in the nearby trash can, check nearby trash cans. Many street-side trash cans have a key clip attached to them, making it easy to look inside and find the keys.
This is a great way to check as well! Most stores will send their employees out to check the cans often, so this is a reliable way to look inside the container.
If the car keys are inside, then great job! If not, there is still hope.
If your vehicle has satellite navigation system technology, then you may be able to look up your location on your system. Some systems even have maps built in so you can do this easily.
Check near street lights
If your car key is lost or stolen, you may be able to check nearby street lights to see if they might signal a car key.
This method is very useful as it can tell you if your car key has been inserted into a lock or not.
It may not work in this way, but this does make sense as the lock must be present to insert the correct key.
Run a background check on the person who had the keys
If the person who had keys to the vehicle before you received a traffic ticket or lost their keys, run a background check on that person. This way, you can see if they have any criminal records for car theft or driving under a false identity to get a license.
This way, you can see if they ever had problems with the government or other people regarding car ownership. It may show that they were not honest when applying for a license and car ownership.
ldaing gieng langhao: If the previous owner clearly owned the vehicle and had a valid driver’s license, then do not go through all of the steps below. Instead, ask a neighbor or someone at school to look at the vehicle to see if it is in good condition and runs properly. If so, you can keep it!
If not, then find out what kind of vehicle it is and whether it is in good condition or not.
Replace your car key immediately
If you lose your keys in a compromised situation, you need to replace the key as soon as possible. Car locks are designed to be difficult to unlock with a key that is not inserted properly.
You can solve this problem by putting a piece of paper over the keyhole and then inserting the key. You would have to remove the paper before you could lock your car!
To replace your car key, first remove the back plate and then take your new one out. Put it in first and then insert the back plate. Push down on the red button on top of the unit until it clicks into place, then leave it overnight to set.
Talk to your family about how to keep car keys safe
You should discuss how to keep your car keys safe with your family. This can be done in many ways:
Create a collection box or place where you put all of your car keys. This should be large and easily accessible.
Keep a small book with notes about car keys that you can access. This book should be available to all members of your family, whether they have the car or not.
Make sure everyone knows the truck/car keys look the same and how to reach them.
Put each key on a string or leash so that one can`t lose it and have someone hold onto it when you need it.
Keep a copy of your key
If you lose your key, you should keep a copy of your key. If someone gets your house or car keys, they should have yours.
This way, you can call a local hardware store or locksmith and ask them to make a new key for your vehicle or house. You can also ask another person in your house to help you get into your car to see if they can lock it up by themselves.
If someone tries to drive your parked car and it doesn’t work, they can call a gas station or convenience store nearby and ask them to send someone out. Hopefully they would be careful with the keys because they might be valuable.
If someone does steal your car, they would have a hard time driving it because of the loud alarm and all-around safety features. They would have to find another way into your home or car without the keys.
Locate the transponder for your key
If your car key is missing its transponder, you can still locate the key by consulting a map or looking for it on your car.
Using a transponder attached to your vehicle’s odometer, locate the key on your vehicle by counting the clicks it makes when inserted. Many are also marked with a small tag so you do not have to look for it.
If you do not have a transponder, find the key that fits into the ignition housing best and try that out. Some vehicles require two keys to work properly: one to drive and one to operate the car!
If you lost your car keys, check all rooms and doors in your house to see if they may contain them.
Talk to an auto repair shop about new locks for your car
Not every auto shop has the expertise to make new locks for your car. In that case, you can look for one at an auto shop or at a car dealership’s lock selection.
Many are designed to work with your vehicle’s keys, and some are even key-series compatible. Some are even electrically-controlled to prevent somebody else from easily accessing your vehicle.
When choosing a new lock for your car, pay close attention to how easy it is to master the new lock. How difficult it is to learn how to properly set it if something is wrong with your key. Also, how quickly you can get a replacement key if something goes wrong with the first one.
Having trouble finding what fits you and your vehicle? There are some great national companies that cater to custom locks.