What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys BMW cars are costly and come with sophisticated anti-theft technology. This makes them difficult to take away and also makes things when you lose the key. The first thing you should do if you lose your BMW key is to call the dealership. However, this isn't the most efficient option. You might consider hiring locksmiths instead. 1. Call the Dealership You've had a long and tiring day. You're just looking to get home and curl up in your cozy sweats. Get some pizza and binge-watch your favorite show. You must return your car keys first that you haven't seen throughout the day. You have a few options to pick from when you need a replacement BMW key. The first option is going to the dealership. You'll need to present proof of ownership, an ID with a valid photo and any other keys you own. The dealership will then purchase the appropriate key for your car and connect it to the computer chip of your vehicle. The process can take up to two weeks and will cost you around $200 if you don't have a backup keys. Contacting a locksmith is a different option. Locksmiths are able to cut BMW keys at less than what dealerships charge. In addition to cutting the blank, locksmiths can also program it to your vehicle. This can save you a lot of time and money, but you'll have to find a reliable professional locksmith. If you have a spare key, you may try to use it to unlock your car. If you don't then you'll need to get your vehicle towed to the dealership to replace your lost key fob. This will be an expensive, unwieldy and expensive way to get back on the road, unless you have a roadside assistance plan such as Emergency Roadside Service by GEICO. Online sellers can be a cheaper alternative to visiting an agent. This is a less expensive option however it will have to be programmed by an authorized locksmith or dealer to be fitted to your vehicle, which could increase the cost of replacing the key. If you decide to buy a blank online, make sure to research the reputation of the seller as much as customer reviews. 2. Call an expert locksmith While a BMW key and fob may appear like a small thing to lose, they are in fact sophisticated pieces of technology designed to enhance security. BMW keys contain transponder chips that send a unique electronic ID to the car whenever they are inserted into the ignition. They also are programmed to keep personal settings like seat and mirror positions, radio presets and more. This level of sophistication makes the keys extremely secure and difficult to take. However, it also makes them more difficult to replace if they're damaged or lost. Therefore, it is crucial to be prepared for this type of situation by keeping a spare key in a secure location and ensuring you have a reputable locksmith on your phone and knowing the basic cost of a replacement key. It is essential to identify the kind of fob or key in your car, as the cost of replacing them will differ depending on its distinctive design. For instance, if have a classic double-edged car key that has an accessory key fob you can usually get an entirely new one at the local hardware store for less than $10. But if you have an advanced key fob that requires special programming, then you'll have to visit an auto locksmith or a dealership to make sure that the new key fob is properly adapted to work with your vehicle. To protect against fraud or unauthorised key duplicates To protect against fraud or unauthorized key duplication, the locksmith needs to confirm that you are the owner of the vehicle as well as your identity. This usually requires an original copy of your driver's license, registration for your vehicle or title. It is important to know that getting a replacement fob and key can take up to two weeks. For this period you won't be able to drive your vehicle. It is therefore recommended to invest in an insurance policy that protects your keys. It will cover the costs of replacing keys lost and will also pay for rental vehicles in the case of a loss. 3. Cut a Key Blank You've had a long, tiring day. You just want to get home and change into your comfortable sweatpants and watch your favorite TV show. But then you realize you've lost your car keys. It's the most awful feeling you've ever experienced, and can affect your evening plans. There are ways to cut out the hassle and ensure that you always have spare keys available. One option is having a blank key cut. This can be accomplished through the dealership or a locksmith. The procedure is quite simple and requires a couple of tools. To begin, you'll need to locate the key hole on your BMW. It's under the trim panel on the lower part of the door handle. You can remove the trim panel once you've located the keyhole. Next, you'll need to secure the original and the blank together using a vice. Use a file to shape an unfinished blank to look like the original. File slowly and cautiously to avoid scraping the original key. Once the blank is shaped and shaped, you can place it over a flame to make it black with soot. This will make it easier to see the marks left by the lock. 4. Get a Replacement If your BMW includes a smart key (also known as a proximity key), you'll want to replace it too. The keys emit an electronic code that unlocks your car's doors and also starts the engine. This technology is an excellent security measure that helps keep your vehicle safe. However, it's not perfect - smart keys are still lost. Getting a replacement from the dealer can be costly, and they'll have to purchase a new key. The dealer can take up to one week to process and send a new key. This can add to the cost. It's not hard to replace the BMW keyfob. https://rentry.co/a9vowbdk can order BMW remote key fobs and get them delivered to your residence. They're usually less expensive than buying them from a dealer and can also spare you the hassle of having to drive to the dealer to pick up a replacement key. If you're trying to avoid confusion, have your VIN handy and proof of ownership when you purchase an additional key. Online BMW key fobs also come with an inbuilt battery. This is crucial because the battery in a regular key fob is likely to wear out and need to be replaced. If your battery has a problem, the fob is likely to stop working altogether, which can be a risk when you're on the road. Fortunately, you can find a replacement BMW's key fob from the manufacturer with no hassle and if you have your government ID and proof of ownership ready to go. The loss of keys is always a problem however, the loss of a BMW loss can be especially stressful. It's important to be aware of your options when replacing the lost BMW key so you can select the best option for your particular situation. Be extra cautious in the future when it comes to your car keys, so that you don't ever lose keys! If you do, make sure to check your pockets as well as your car and places you don't typically keep them.