What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys BMW cars are expensive and feature sophisticated anti-theft technology. This makes them difficult to take away and also makes things if you lose the key. If you've lost your BMW key the first step is to call your dealership. But this may not be the most convenient solution. You could consider hiring a locksmith instead. 1. Contact the Dealership You've had a long, tiring day. You're just looking to get home and relax in your cozy sweats. Take a bite of pizza and binge-watch your favorite TV show. But before you can do any of that you'll need to make one last stop and return your vehicle keys that you haven't seen since the beginning of the day. There are a variety of options to choose from when you need a replacement BMW key. The first option is visiting the dealership. You'll need to provide proof of ownership as well as a valid photo ID as well as any other keys you have. The dealership will then order the right key for your car and pair it with its computer chip. This process can take anywhere from two to three weeks and will cost you around $200 in the event you don't have a backup key. Contacting a locksmith is another option. Many locksmiths have the tools to cut the BMW key, and they can often do so for a fraction of the cost of the dealership. In addition to cutting the blank, a locksmith can also program it to your vehicle. This could save you a significant amount of time and money, but you'll need to be sure to choose a reputable professional locksmith. If you have an extra key, you could try using it to unlock your car. If you don't have an additional key, you'll need to tow your vehicle to a dealer to replace your lost fob. This is expensive, time-consuming and expensive method of getting back on the road unless you have a roadside assistance plan like Emergency Roadside Service by GEICO. An alternative to going to an auto dealer is to purchase an uncut BMW key from an online seller. This can be a cheaper option, but you'll need to have it programmed to the specific vehicle by a dealer or locksmith, which can increase the overall price of the replacement. If you decide to buy a blank online, make sure to check out the reputation of the seller as well as customer reviews. 2. Call a Locksmith While the BMW key and fob could appear to be a minor thing to lose but they are actually sophisticated pieces of technology created to improve security. BMW keys are equipped with transponder chips that send an electronic ID unique to the car when inserted into the ignition. They also are programmed to keep personal settings, such as seat and mirror position, radio presets and many other things. This level of sophistication makes the keys incredibly secure and hard to steal. However, it makes them more difficult to replace if they are lost or damaged. It is crucial to be prepared for a situation by keeping a spare in an area that is secure, having the number of a reliable locksmith at your fingertips, and knowing the cost of a new key. To begin, https://jsfiddle.net/warpurple52/ar9736L4/ to know what type of key and fob you have in your vehicle since the procedure for replacing the items will vary based on the unique design of each. For instance, if own a traditional double-edged vehicle key with an attached key fob You can typically have a new one made at a local hardware store for less than $10. However, if you own a modern key fob that requires specific programming process, then you'll need to go to an auto locksmith or a dealership to ensure that the new fob is correctly configured to work with your vehicle. To guard against fraud or unauthorised key duplicates To protect against fraud or unauthorized key duplication, the locksmith needs to verify that you are the owner of the vehicle and your identity. This usually requires the original driver's license, registration for your vehicle or title. It is important to understand that the process of obtaining a new key and fob might take up to two weeks, during which you will not be able to drive your vehicle. It is therefore recommended that you invest in a key protection plan that will cover the cost of replacing keys lost and also reimburse you for rental cars in the case of a loss. 3. Cut a Key Blank It's been a tiring day and you're eager to get home, change into comfortable sweatpants, eat some pizza and on your favorite show. But then you realize you've lost your car keys. This is the most traumatic feeling you've ever experienced, and could really ruin your evening plans. Luckily, there are ways to avoid this issue and make sure you always have a spare. You can get an uncut, new key made. This can be done by the dealership or by a locksmith. The procedure is quite easy and requires only a few tools. First, you'll have to locate the keyhole on your BMW. The keyhole is located at the bottom of the door handle, underneath the trim. Once you've located the keyhole, you can remove the trim panel to expose it. The next step is to clamp the original and a blank together using a vice. Use a file to shape a blank to resemble the original. Be sure to file slowly and cautiously in order not to scratch the original key. After the blank has been formed, you can place it against a flame to make it black. This will in revealing the transfer marks created by the lock. 4. Find a Replacement You'll also need to replace the smart key in case your BMW has one (also called a proximity key). These keys emit an electronic code that opens your car doors and starts the engine. This technology is a great protection against theft to protect your vehicle. However it's not perfect and smart keys can still be lost. Dealers will have order a new key, which can be expensive. It could take up a week for the dealer to process and deliver your new key, which will increase the cost. It's not difficult to replace the BMW key fob. https://peters-mose.hubstack.net/the-most-hilarious-complaints-weve-been-hearing-about-bmw-keys-replacement can purchase BMW remote key fobs and receive them at your home. They are usually cheaper than buying from a dealer and can save you the hassle driving to the dealer for an additional key. If you're trying to avoid confusion, be sure to have your VIN handy and proof of ownership when you purchase an additional key. Online BMW key fobs also come with a built-in battery. This is crucial because the battery inside a normal key fob is likely to wear out and require replacement. If the battery is faulty the fob might cease to function, which can be dangerous when driving. If you have your government-issued ID and proof of ownership, you can get a replacement key fob for your BMW with little trouble. It's always a hassle to lose keys, but losing a BMW key can be especially stressful. You should know your options when replacing the lost BMW Key, so that you can pick the appropriate one for your situation. Be extra cautious in the future with your keys to your car, so that you don't lose them! If you do lose them, make sure to check your pockets, your car, and places you don't typically keep them.