What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys BMW cars are costly, and they have sophisticated anti-theft technologies. This makes them difficult to take and also makes things if you lose keys. If you've lost the BMW key first step is to call your dealership. This isn't the most convenient option. Instead, https://therkelsen-harvey-2.blogbright.net/do-you-think-genuine-bmw-replacement-key-always-rule-the-world might think about hiring a locksmith. 1. Contact the Dealership It's been a long day and you're eager to get home, put on some comfy clothes, grab a slice of pizza, and binge on your favorite TV show. You must return your keys to your car first, which you haven't seen all day. There are a lot of options when it comes to getting your BMW key replacement. The first option is to go to the dealership. You'll need to provide proof of ownership and an ID with a valid photo, and any other sets of keys you have. https://anotepad.com/notes/4drj2gac will then order the correct key for your vehicle and match it to its computer chip. This process could take up to two weeks and cost you $200 if you don't have an extra key. Contacting a locksmith is a different option. A lot of locksmiths have the equipment to cut the BMW key, and they can typically do it at less than the cost of dealerships. Locksmiths can program the blank key for your vehicle as well as cut it. This can save you time and money. However, you'll require a professional locksmith who is reliable. If you have a spare key, you can try using it to unlock your car. If you don't have an additional key, you will need bring your vehicle to the dealer to replace your lost fob. If you don't have the benefit of an emergency roadside service plan, like Emergency Roadside Service from GEICO, this will be an expensive and time-consuming option to get your vehicle back on the road. An alternative to going to an auto dealer is to purchase a blank BMW key from an online vendor. This is a less expensive alternative, but you'll need to have it programmed for the specific vehicle by a dealer or locksmith that could increase the cost of the replacement. If you do choose to purchase a blank online make sure you check the seller's reputation and customer reviews. 2. Call for a locksmith While a BMW key and fob might seem like an insignificant accessory to lose, they are in fact sophisticated pieces of technology created to enhance security. BMW keys have transponder chips that send an unique electronic ID to the car whenever they are inserted into the ignition. They also are programmed to remember personalized settings, such as seat and mirror positions, radio presets and many more. This level of sophistication makes them incredibly secure and difficult to take, but it also means that they are more difficult to replace in the event of damage or loss. It is important to be prepared for such the eventuality by keeping a spare key in a secure location, having the number of a trusted locksmith at your fingertips, and knowing the cost of the replacement of a key. It is essential to determine the type of key or fob that is in your vehicle, as the cost of replacing them will differ depending on its unique design. If you have an old double-edged key with the keyfob, you can generally find an alternative from a local hardware shop for less than $10. If you have a key fob that has specific programming you'll need to visit an authorized locksmith or dealer to make sure the new fob is properly configured to your vehicle. To protect against unauthorized key duplicates To protect against fraud or unauthorized key duplication, the locksmith needs to confirm that you are the owner of the vehicle and your identity. This usually requires an original copy of your driver's licence or registration of your vehicle, or a title. It is important to know that getting a new fob and key can take up to two weeks. In this time, you will not be able to drive your vehicle. Therefore, it is recommended to invest in key protection insurance that will cover the cost of replacing your lost keys and will provide you with rental car reimbursement in the event of an unforeseen loss. 3. Cut a Key Blank You've been through a long, exhausting day. You just want to get home and put on your sweatpants and watch your favorite show. You realize that you've misplaced the keys to your car. This is the worst feeling you've ever experienced, and could really put a damper on your evening plans. There are ways to avoid this problem and ensure that you always have a spare. You can have a new, blank key made. This can be done by the dealership or a locksmith. The procedure is quite easy and requires only a few tools. To begin, you'll need locate the key hole on your BMW. The keyhole is located on the bottom of the door handle, underneath the trim. Once you've found the keyhole, take off the trim panel to expose it. Then take the blank and the original using a vise. Then, use a chisel to form the blank into a similar shape to the original. File slowly and carefully to avoid scraping the original key. After the blank has been shaped, you may hold it over a flame and then blacken it. This will to make it easier to discern the marks of transfer made by the lock. 4. Get a Replacement If your BMW has a smart key (also known as a proximity key) it is recommended to get that replaced too. These keys emit an electronic code that opens your car's doors and also can start the engine. This is a great security measure that helps keep your vehicle secure. However, it's not perfect - smart keys may still be lost. The dealer will need order a new key, which is costly. The dealer may take up to a week to process and deliver a new key. This can increase the cost. The good news is that it's not impossible to find an alternative for a BMW key fob. You can buy BMW remote key fobs online and have them delivered right to your door. These are often much cheaper than buying them from a dealer and they can also save you the hassle of having to drive to the dealer to pick up a replacement key. If you're trying to avoid confusion, be sure to have your VIN handy as well as proof of ownership when you purchase a new key. Online BMW key fobs also come with an inbuilt battery. This is important because the battery inside a standard keyfob is eventually worn out and need to be changed. If the battery is defective, the fob may cease to function, which can be dangerous when driving. If you've got your government-issued ID and evidence of ownership, you can purchase a replacement key fob for your BMW with little hassle. It's not fun to lose your keys, but losing the BMW key can be incredibly stressful. It is important to know what options you have when replacing a lost BMW Key to ensure that you can select the right one for your particular situation. In the future, make an effort to be more careful with your car keys so you don't lose them in first place! Make sure you check your pockets, your car and other places you don't normally keep your keys.