Is BMW Keys The Most Effective Thing That Ever Was?
What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys BMW cars are costly and come with sophisticated anti theft technology. This makes them hard to take away, but it also complicates things if you lose a key. If you've lost the BMW key, the first step is to call your dealership. However, this isn't the most efficient solution. You might think about hiring using a locksmith. 1. Call the Dealership You've had a long, tiring day. You're just looking to get home and relax in your comfy sweats. Get some pizza and binge-watch your favorite TV show. You must return your car keys first and you've not seen them all day. There are a variety of options to pick from when you need a replacement BMW key. The first option is to visit the dealership. You'll be asked to provide proof of ownership and a valid ID. If you have other keys, they will also require them. The dealership will order the appropriate key for your vehicle and match it to its computer chip. The process can take up to two weeks, and it will cost you at least $200 if you don't have a backup key. A locksmith can be a good option. Locksmiths are able to cut BMW keys for the cost of a fraction of what dealerships charge. Locksmiths can program the blank key to your car in addition to cutting it. This can save you a significant amount of time and money, however, you'll need to choose a reputable professional locksmith. If you have a spare key, you could try using it to unlock your vehicle. If not, you'll need to have your vehicle towed by a dealership to replace the lost key fob. If you don't have the benefit of a roadside service plan such as Emergency Roadside Service from GEICO it will be a costly and inconvenient way to get your car back on the road. A better alternative to visiting an auto dealer is to purchase an uncut BMW key from an online retailer. This can be a more affordable alternative, but you'll have to have it programmed to your specific car by a locksmith or dealer and this could increase the cost of the replacement. If you decide to purchase a blank online, make sure you check the reputation of the seller as well as customer reviews. 2. Call a Locksmith While the BMW key and fob may appear to be a minor thing to lose, they are in fact sophisticated pieces of technology created to improve security. BMW keys contain transponder chips that transmit an electronic ID unique to the car when inserted in the ignition, and are programmed to store personal settings such as mirror and seat positions, radio presets and many more. This level of sophistication makes them incredibly secure and difficult to take however, it also means they are more complex to replace in the case of damage or loss. It is important to be prepared for a situation by keeping a spare key in an appropriate location, keeping the number of a reputable locksmith on your phone and knowing the price of a new key. In the beginning, it is critical to know what type of key and fob you have in your vehicle, as the process of replacing the items will vary based on the unique design of each. For instance, if you have a traditional double-edged car key with a key fob on it You can typically have an entirely new one at a local hardware store for less than $10. If you have a key fob that has specific programming you'll need to go to a locksmith or a dealer to ensure that the new key fob is configured correctly to the vehicle you own. Before a new key is made the locksmith or the dealership will be required to verify your identity and ownership of the vehicle in order to guard against fraud and unauthorized key duplicates. This usually requires the copy of your driver's license, vehicle registration or title. It is crucial to realize that the process of obtaining a new key and fob might take between two and three weeks, during which you will not be able to drive your vehicle. lost bmw keys is therefore recommended to purchase a key protection policy which will cover the costs of replacing keys that are lost as well as reimburse you for rental vehicles in the case of a loss. 3. Cut a Key Blank You've been through a long, exhausting day. You're eager to get home and change into your comfortable sweatpants and binge-watch your favorite TV show. You realize that you've lost the keys to your car. This is the most painful feeling and can make your evening miserable. Luckily, there are ways to avoid this hassle and make sure you always have a spare on hand. One option is having a blank key cut. This can be done through the dealership or a locksmith. The procedure is relatively easy and requires only a few tools. To begin, you'll need to locate the key hole on your BMW. It's under the trim on the bottom of your door handle. You can take off the trim panel after you've located the keyhole. The next step is to fix the original and a blank together using a vice. Use a file to shape the blank in a way that it resembles the original. Be sure to file carefully and slowly so that you don't to scrape the original key. Once the blank is shaped, you can hold it in a fire to darken it with soot. This will help in revealing the transfer marks made by the lock. 4. Find a Replacement You'll also need to replace the smart key if your BMW has one (also called a proximity key). These keys emit a unique electronic code to unlock the doors of your vehicle and then start the engine. This is a great anti-theft measure that keeps your vehicle safe. Smart keys are susceptible to being lost, but they're not the perfect solution. Getting a replacement from the dealer can be costly and they'll need to purchase a new key. It can take up to one week for the dealer to process and send your new key, which can increase the cost. The good news is that it's not impossible to find a replacement for the BMW key fob. You can purchase BMW remote key fobs on the internet and have them delivered right to your doorstep. They're usually less expensive than purchasing them from a dealer and can also spare you the hassle of traveling to the dealer to pick up a new key. If you want to avoid confusion, make sure you have your VIN handy and proof of ownership when purchasing the new key. Another benefit of online BMW key fobs is that they include a battery. This is crucial, as the battery in a standard key fob will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. If your battery has an issue, the key fob could stop functioning completely, which could be dangerous while on the road. Fortunately, you can usually find a replacement for your BMW's key fob directly from the manufacturer with little fuss and if you have your government ID and proof of ownership ready to go. It's always a hassle to lose keys, but losing the BMW key can be incredibly stressful. You must know your options in the event of replacing a lost BMW Key to ensure that you can pick the right one for your particular situation. Be extra cautious in the future with your car keys, so that you don't ever lose them! If you do, make sure to keep an eye on your pockets as well as your car and places you don't typically keep them.