What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys BMW cars are expensive and come with sophisticated anti theft technology. This makes them extremely difficult to steal, but can make issues when you lose your keys. If you've lost a BMW key, the first step is to call your dealer. However, this isn't the most practical option. You might consider hiring locksmiths instead. 1. Call the Dealership It's been a long, tiring day. You're eager to get home and relax in your comfy sweats. Get some pizza and binge-watch your favorite TV show. You must return your keys to your car first that you haven't seen throughout the day. You have a few options to pick from when you require an replacement BMW key. The first option is visiting the dealership. You'll be asked to provide proof of ownership and a valid ID. If you own other keys, they'll also need them. The dealership will then request the correct key for your vehicle and connect it to the chip in your car's computer. This process could take up to two weeks and cost you $200 if you don't have a spare key. Contacting a locksmith is another alternative. Many locksmiths have the tools to cut a BMW key, and they can typically do it at less than the cost of a dealership. A locksmith can program the blank key to your car as well as cut it. This will save you time and money. But, you'll require an expert locksmith who is trustworthy. If you have a spare key, you can try using it to unlock your car. If you don't then you'll need to get your car towed by a dealership to replace the key fob that was lost. If https://zenwriting.net/donalduganda9/what-is-the-reason-bmw-key-fob-replacement-is-fast-increasing-to-be-the-hot don't have the benefit of a roadside service plan like Emergency Roadside Service from GEICO it will be an expensive and time-consuming option to get your vehicle back on the road. A better alternative to visiting a dealership is to buy an uncut BMW key from an online seller. This is a cheaper alternative however it will have to be programmed by an expert locksmith or dealer to be fitted to your vehicle, which could increase the cost of replacing the key. If you decide to purchase a blank online make sure to check out the seller's reputation as well as reviews from customers. 2. Contact for a locksmith While a BMW key and fob may seem like an insignificant accessory to lose however, they are sophisticated pieces of technology designed to improve security. BMW keys are equipped with transponder chips that transmit a unique ID to the vehicle whenever they are placed in the ignition. They can also be programmed to keep personal settings like mirror and seat positions, radio presets, and more. This level of sophistication makes them incredibly secure and difficult to steal, but it also means that they are more complex to replace in the event of damage or loss. It is essential to be prepared for this type of scenario by storing a spare key in a secure place and ensuring you have a reputable locksmith on your phone and knowing the basic cost of a replacement key. It is important to first determine the type of key or fob in your vehicle, since replacing them will be different due to the unique design. For instance, if own a traditional double-edged vehicle key with an accessory key fob you can usually get a new one made at a local hardware store for less than $10. However, if you own an advanced key fob that requires special programming, then you'll have to visit a locksmith or a dealership to ensure that the new fob is set up correctly to work with your vehicle. To guard against unauthorized 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 be aware that obtaining a replacement fob and key could take up to two weeks. For this period, you will not be able drive your car. It is therefore recommended that you invest in a key protection policy which will cover the cost of replacing keys lost and will also pay for rental cars in the event of a loss. 3. Cut a Blank Key You've been through a tiring, long day. You just want to go home, put on your sweatshirt and watch your favorite show. You realize that you've misplaced the keys to your car. It's the most awful feeling and can make your evening miserable. Luckily, there are ways to avoid this hassle and make sure you always have a spare on hand. You can have a new, blank key made. This can be accomplished through the dealership or an locksmith. The process is easy and only requires a few tools. To begin, you'll need to find the key hole on your BMW. It's located underneath the trim on the bottom of your door handle. You can take off the trim panel after you've located the keyhole. Next, you'll need to clamp the original and a blank in a vice. Then, use a chisel to form the blank to resemble to the original. Be sure to do this carefully and slowly so that you don't to scrape the original key. Once the blank is shaped, you may hold it over a flame and make it black. This will help 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 called a proximity key), you'll want to get that replaced too. These keys generate an electronic code that allows you to open the doors of your vehicle and then start the engine. This is a fantastic security measure to keep your vehicle safe. However it's not perfect, as smart keys are still lost. The dealer will have order a new key, which could be expensive. The dealer may take up to a week to process and ship the new key. This can add to the cost. The good news is that it's not difficult to find a replacement for a BMW key fob. You can buy BMW remote key fobs online and have them sent directly to your doorstep. They are usually cheaper than buying them from a dealer, and they can also save you the hassle of driving to the dealership to pick up a new key. To avoid confusion when ordering replacement keys, ensure you have your VIN and proof of ownership. Another advantage of online BMW key fobs is that they include a battery. This is important as the battery in a normal keyfob is eventually worn out and need to be changed. If your battery is suffering from a problem, the fob could stop functioning completely, which could be a risk when you're on the road. Fortunately, you'll be able to get a replacement for your BMW's key fob through the manufacturer with little fuss and if you have your government ID and proof of ownership ready to go. It's never fun to lose keys, but losing the BMW key can be especially difficult. It's crucial to be aware of your options when you need to replace the lost BMW key, so that you can select the best option for your needs. In the future, try to be more cautious when it comes to keys for your car, so you don't lose them in first place! Check your pockets, car and other places you don't usually keep your keys.