What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys BMW cars are expensive and feature sophisticated anti-theft technology. This makes them hard to take and also makes things if you lose keys. The first thing you should do in the event that you lose your BMW key is call the dealership. This may not be your most convenient option. You could think about hiring locksmiths instead. 1. Contact the Dealership It's been a tiring day and you're eager to go home, put on some comfortable sweats, eat some pizza, and binge on your favorite TV show. You have to return your car keys first, which you haven't seen all day. You have a few choices to consider when you require a replacement BMW key. The first option is to visit the dealership. You'll be asked to show proof of ownership and an ID that is valid. If you have other keys, they will also require them. The dealership will then order the appropriate key for your car and pair it with the computer chip of your vehicle. This process can take anywhere from two to three weeks and will cost you around $200 in the event that you don't have a backup keys. Contacting a locksmith is another alternative. Many locksmiths have the tools to cut the BMW key, and they can often do it for only a fraction of the price of the dealership. In addition to cutting the blank, locksmiths can also program it into your vehicle. This can save you a lot of time and money, but you'll need to be sure to find a reliable professional locksmith. If you have an extra key, you could use it to unlock your vehicle. If you don't, you'll need to have your car towed by a dealership to replace the key fob that was lost. This can be an expensive, unwieldy and expensive method of getting back on the road, unless you have a roadside emergency plan like Emergency Roadside Service by GEICO. A good alternative to visiting a dealership is to buy an uncut BMW key from an online vendor. This can be a more affordable alternative, but you'll need to have it programmed for your specific car by a locksmith or dealer and this could increase the price of the replacement. If you choose to purchase a blank online, be sure to check the reputation of the seller and read customer reviews. 2. Contact 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 designed to increase security. BMW keys come with transponder chips, which transmit a unique ID to the vehicle every time they are put into the ignition. They can also be programmed to keep personal settings, like seat and mirror positions, radio presets and more. This level of sophistication makes them incredibly secure and difficult to steal, but it also means they are more complex to replace in the case of damage or loss. It is essential to be prepared for this kind of scenario by storing a spare key in a secure place and ensuring you have a reputable locksmith in your phone contacts and knowing the basic cost of replacing a key. To begin, it is essential to know the type of key and fob you have in your vehicle as the process of replacing the items will vary based on their specific design. If you have an old double-edged lock with an a keyfob, you could generally find a replacement at the local hardware store for less than $10. If you have a contemporary key fob that requires special programming, then you'll have to visit a locksmith or a dealer to make sure the new fob is set up correctly to your vehicle. Before a new key can be made the locksmith or dealer will require proof of your identity and the ownership of the vehicle in order to safeguard against fraud and unauthorised duplicate keys. This will typically require a copy of your driver's license, vehicle registration or title. It is important to be aware that getting a replacement key and fob could take up to two weeks. For this period, you will not be able to drive in your car. Therefore, it is recommended to invest in key protection insurance which will pay for the replacement of keys lost and will provide you with rental car reimbursement in the event of an unforeseen loss. 3. Cut a Key Blank It's been a long, tiring day and you're just dying to get back home, put on some comfortable sweatpants, eat some pizza and binge watch your favorite TV show. You realize that you've lost your car keys. This is the most painful feeling, and can cause a major disruption to your plans for the evening. Luckily, there are ways to avoid this problem and make sure you have a spare key in your arsenal. One option is to get a blank key cut. This can be done by a dealership or an locksmith. The process is simple and only requires just a few tools. To begin, you'll need to locate the key hole on your BMW. https://yamcode.com/how-to-find-the-perfect-replacement-bmw-key-on-the-internet is located at the bottom of the door handle, underneath the trim panel. You can remove the trim panel after you've found the keyhole. Next, you'll need to fix the original and a blank in a vice. Then, use a chisel to form the blank into a similar form to the original. File slowly and cautiously to avoid scraping the original key. After the blank has been formed, you can place it against a flame to blacken it. This will make it easier to see the marks left by the lock. 4. Get a Replacement You'll also need to replace the smart key if your BMW has one (also called a proximity key). These keys generate an electronic code that can unlock the doors of your vehicle and then start the engine. This is a great security measure to keep your vehicle safe. Smart keys are susceptible to being lost, but they are not ideal. Getting a replacement from the dealership can be expensive and they'll need to purchase a new key. The dealer could take up to one week to process and send a new key. This can increase the cost. The good news is that it's not hard to find a replacement for the BMW key fob. You can purchase BMW remote key fobs online and have them delivered directly to your doorstep. They are typically less expensive than buying from a dealer and will help you avoid the hassle of driving to the dealer for a replacement key. To avoid confusion when purchasing a replacement, make sure you have your VIN and evidence of ownership. Another advantage of buying online BMW key fobs is that they include a battery. This is important as the battery inside a regular keyfob is eventually worn out and require replacing. If your battery has issues, the fob is likely to stop working entirely, which could be dangerous while driving. 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 trouble. Losing keys is always a headache however, a BMW loss can be incredibly stressful. It is important to be aware of your options when you need to replace the lost BMW key so that you can choose the best one for your situation. In the future, try to be extra cautious with your keys to your car so that you do not lose them in the first place! Check your pockets, car, and other places where you aren't likely to keep them.