What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys BMW cars are expensive and feature sophisticated anti theft technology. This makes them hard to steal, but can make issues when you lose your keys. If you've lost the BMW key, the first step is to call your dealership. But this might not be the most practical option. You might consider hiring locksmiths instead. 1. Call the Dealership It's been a tiring day and you just want to go home, change into comfy sweats, grab some pizza, and binge on your favorite TV show. But before you can do any of that you must make one final stop and return your keys to your car that you've not seen since the beginning of the day. There are a variety of choices to consider when you need an replacement BMW key. The first option is to visit the dealership. You'll be asked to show proof of ownership and a valid ID. If you own other keys, they'll also need them. The dealership will then order the appropriate key for your vehicle and then pair it with the computer chip. This process could take anywhere from two to three weeks, and will cost you at most $200 in the event you don't have a backup keys. Contacting a locksmith is another alternative. Many locksmiths have the tools to cut a BMW key, and can often do it for less than the cost of dealerships. A locksmith can program the blank key for your vehicle and cut it. This could save you a lot of time and money, however, you'll need to choose a reputable, professional locksmith. If you have an extra key, you can use it to unlock the vehicle. If you don't have a spare key, you will need to tow your vehicle to a dealer to replace your lost fob. If you don't have the benefit of an emergency roadside service plan, such as Emergency Roadside Service from GEICO This is a costly and inconvenient way to get your car back on the road. A good alternative to visiting a dealership is to buy a blank BMW key from an online retailer. This is a less expensive alternative, but you'll need to have it programmed for your specific car by a dealer or locksmith and this can increase the overall price of the replacement. If you choose to buy a blank online make sure you check the seller's reputation and customer reviews. 2. Contact a locksmith BMW keys and fobs can seem like insignificant accessories however they are sophisticated pieces of technology that increase security. BMW keys are equipped with transponder chips that transmit a unique ID to the vehicle every time they are inserted into the ignition. They can also be programmed to remember personal settings, such as seat and mirror positions, radio presets, and more. This level of sophistication makes them highly secure and difficult to take, but it also means they are more complex to replace in the event of damage or loss. https://jsfiddle.net/sheepchild53/2vfubwdq/ is crucial to be prepared for a situation by keeping a spare key in an appropriate location, keeping the number of a trusted locksmith in your phone, and knowing the cost of replacing a key. It is crucial to determine the type of key or fob that is in your car, as replacing them will be different depending on its distinctive design. If you have an old, double-edged key with a keyfob, you can typically find the replacement from an area hardware store for less than $10. But if you have an advanced key fob that requires special programming, then you'll need to visit either a locksmith or a dealership to make sure the new fob is correctly configured to work with your vehicle. To protect against unauthorized key duplicates The locksmith will need to verify that you are the owner of the vehicle and your identity. This will typically require an original copy of your driver's license, registration for your vehicle, or title. It is crucial to understand that getting a replacement fob and key could take up to two full weeks. During this time, you will not be able to drive in your car. It is therefore recommended that you invest in a key protection policy which will cover the cost of replacing lost keys as well as reimburse you for rental vehicles in the event of a loss. 3. Cut a Key Blank You've been through a long, exhausting day. You just want to go home and put on your sweatshirt and watch your favorite TV show. You realize that you've lost your car keys. This is the most traumatic feeling you can ever experience, and it can really put a damper on your plans for the evening. Luckily, there are ways to avoid this problem and make sure you always have a spare. You can request a blank, new key made. This can be done either through the dealer or by a locksmith. The process is fairly simple and requires a couple of tools. To begin, you'll need locate the key hole on your BMW. The keyhole is located in the lower part of the door handle, under the trim panel. Once you've found the keyhole, take off the trim panel to expose it. Then take the blank and original using a vise. Then, use a chisel to shape the blank into a similar form to the original. Make sure to file slowly and with care to avoid scraping the original key. After the blank has been shaped, you may hold it against a flame to then blacken it. This will make it easier to read the marks left by the lock. 4. Find a Replacement If your BMW includes a smart key (also called a proximity key) it is recommended to get that replaced too. These keys emit an electronic code that unlocks the doors of your vehicle and then can start the engine. This technology is an excellent security measure that helps keep your vehicle safe. However it's not perfect, as smart keys are still lost. The replacement you get from the dealer can be costly and they'll need to order a new one. It could take up a week for the dealer to process and deliver your new key, which will increase the cost. The good news is that it's not impossible to find a replacement for the BMW key fob. You can buy BMW remote key fobs on the internet and have them delivered right to your door. They are usually cheaper than buying from a dealer, and could reduce the need to drive to the dealership for a replacement key. If you're looking to avoid confusion, have your VIN in hand and proof of ownership when ordering a new key. Online BMW key fobs also have a built-in battery. This is important because the battery inside a regular keyfob will eventually wear down and require replacing. If your battery is suffering from issues, the fob is likely to stop working altogether, which can be dangerous when you're on the road. If you've got your government-issued ID and evidence of ownership, you can obtain a replacement key fob for your BMW without a lot of hassle. The loss of keys is always a headache but a BMW loss can be incredibly difficult. It is important to know what options you have when replacing a lost BMW Key so you can choose the right one for your needs. Be extra cautious in the future when it comes to your keys to your car, so that you don't lose keys! If you do, make sure to check your pockets, your car, and places where you wouldn't normally keep them.