If you’re like me you’ve lost your car keys more than once. I can be very frustrated and might make you late for your job or planned activity. I remember feeling embarrassed when I had to tell my coworkers and others that I had lost my keys. 

One of the best ways to find your keys is to get some help. If you’ve tried every strategy to find your keys but are sure they can’t be found, then go to a locksmith or a dealer to get a replacement for about $50 – $500.    

I’ve lost my keys in my car several times. They fall between the seats when I am exiting the car. At home, they can disappear to many places. Once I found them on top of the refrigerator. 

Some Common Places to Look for Your Keys

If you are lost in thought or your attention is elsewhere when you are searching for your keys, you may have found that your keys are harder to find. 

Mindfulness will help you in your effort to find your keys. When we are in a hurry, we pay far less attention to specific details. 

If you really really want to leave but can’t, you make start to get stressed, and lose focus. 

You will likely need to look again in the places that you’ve already looked, at to make sure you didn’t miss any details. 

Once I found my keys in the container that I normally keep, but they were under a card that looked like it couldn’t have anything under it. I was surprised. 

The best place to look for your keys is probably in your pockets or your purse. You may have been in a hurry and were sure that they weren’t there, but… they were. 

You may find that one of the pockets you have has a hole in it, then you’ll know that the keys are on the ground somewhere, or inside the interior area of your purse. 

Anywhere you sit down, even for a moment, is another great place to look. Keys have a way of finding their way out of your pocket or purse and into the space between the car seat or couch cushions. 

I have found my keys between the couch cushions several times. The car is another good place to look. We think we have placed the key securely in our pocket or purse, only to find they had fallen out while we were exiting the car. 

If you have a common location you place your keys, like a basket, and look there. You’ve probably already looked there, but keys are good at hiding in plain sight.  

You may need to empty the basket if there are too many objects inside it. Going to a table to empty it can help you quickly find the key and slide all the objects back into the basket once you’re done. 

Once I was looking for my sunglasses. I said, “where are my glasses” as I was looking for them, and then the person I was with said, “You’re wearing them.”

Sometimes your car keys are in the car ignition or house door. Look in the places where you would normally use the keys and it may be that they are still there. 

Ask for Help

It may not feel like you need help, but if you can’t find your keys after 5-10 minutes, you can benefit from getting some feedback from someone else.

It’s likely they will have at least one additional idea that you haven’t thought of yet. They can help you speed up the search process by helping you find the key by looking around where you think you may have lost them.

Talk out what you think happened. Sometimes that’s all that is needed to remember an important clue to finding your keys is someone to talk to. You will at least cross out some of the items on your list of where your keys could possibly be.

Sometimes asking someone else is all you need to do since other people often move your things around. If you left your keys somewhere out of the ordinary, it could be that they were moved.

Someone may have also placed something on top of your keys and been unaware the keys were there.    

Retrace Your Steps

Again, talking to someone can help when retracing your steps. If you don’t have anyone to talk to, you can write down the steps you have taken since you had your keys.

Sometimes we can do better by talking, writing, or reviewing mentally. Decide which will work best for you and begin retracing your steps.

If I mentally review the last time I remember having the keys it helps me determine when I may have lost my keys and where they could be.

Writing down can help me think of more ideas. Seeing the words makes it easier for me to feel more concrete about events and locations. 

Your list might look like this:

• First, I got out of the car and took my groceries to the kitchen table. (You might think: “Did the keys fall out in the car or could I have left them in the door?”)
• Second, I put the groceries away and went to the bathroom. (You might think, “Are they in the bathroom?”)
• Third, I sat at the computer to watch a video. (You might think, “Did they fall out of my pocket when I was sitting?”)
• Last, I went to get some food to eat, and then I realized I didn’t know where my keys were. (You might think, “Did I place my keys down somewhere when I came into the house?”)

Get Organized

If you lose things regularly because you have too much stuff that isn’t organized, starting to put things away might help you find your key fairly quickly. 

Once you have found your keys it’s time to dedicate some time to getting organized. You will likely feel much better when you know where things are, and they are easy to get to. 

Having an extra pair of keys will also help you feel less stressed about losing the first pair. At least you can get to meetings, jobs, and other places that you need to get to while you are still searching for your keys.

 Time to Get a Key Finder

If you’re like me and still lose your keys after trying the previous steps then it’s a good idea to buy a key finder. There are many types of devices you can buy. Just the other day I was at Costco and saw the key finder in the picture above. 

I purchased one of these types of devices many years ago when they first came out, but the batteries ran out super fast, so I stopped using them. Now, these devices are much more efficient. Many people like the tile, which claims to last for a year.  

Here are Amazon links to tracking devices

There are all sorts of new devices coming out, including the one pictured above which is also very popular for helping people find lost items.

Car Key Replacement Cost

You will likely be able to get a new pair of keys for your car even if you don’t have a copy. Several different types of keys could be replaced. Which type of key do you need? 

TYPES OF KEYS

• Metal keys – These don’t have any electronic parts and only require to be cut in the right shape to work.
• Laser-Cut Keys – These require a more expensive machine to cut them so you may have to pay more for these keys. They can also have a transponder and or a key fob on the key head that needs to be programmed. 
• Transponder keys – These look like regular metal keys but have a chip in the plastic head of the key. You need to program this key in order for it to work.     
• Switch Blade Keys –  These are metal keys that fold into the fob. They need to be cut and programmed in order to work.
• Keyless Remote – These are usually just a remote (some come with a switchblade key). These usually allow you to open a car and start it without removing the key from your pocket. They need to be programmed to work. 

LOCKSMITH 

It is usually best to call a locksmith to help you because they will usually charge you less than a dealership. They can create a new metal key for your car and program the key fob for cars with electronic entry and start.

Depending on the car, the locksmith, and the area you live in, you will pay different prices. Check with a couple of different locksmiths to get the best quote. They can drive to your location and be done in about 30 minutes.  

• A new metal key might cost around $50 – $150 
• A new laser-cut key might cost $150 – $250. 
• A new transponder key might cost about $150 – $250.
• A new switchblade key can range from $200 – 300.
• A new keyless entry key fob could range from $200 – 500.    

(Information on some of the prices comes from edmunds.com) 

DEALER

If you go to a dealership, they may also be able to create a new key for you. The cost will usually be more than a locksmith. It may be about $100 more for their service. But don’t give up on the dealer yet. Give them a call because some dealers will program a key for free, depending on the situation. 

ON THE WEB

You can also find keyless remote fobs and metal keys for your car on the internet. These are often less than a locksmith or dealer. It could be $100 less if ordered over the internet. Then, you can either program the remote yourself if they give instructions or call a locksmith to program it and cut the key. 

Here are some places to look for new keys and remotes.

• https://carkeysexpress.com/store
• https://www.keylessentryremotefob.com
• https://www.keylessride.com

Final Thoughts

When I have lost my car keys, I have always been able to find them, eventually. But I lost other keys permanently, and then I couldn’t lock the door or lock until I found the spare.

Getting at least one extra key is very important, and having a key finder is very helpful. If you feel like you want some extra security, make a third copy to give to a relative in case you lose your keys away from your home and need someone to come help you get into your car. 

Replacing your key will cost some money, but you can check around to find the best prices. I would call the dealer first, then a couple of locksmiths, and finally, if I still needed to save money, I would look online.   

Hopefully, you can find your keys quickly the next time they are misplaced and find a good solution if you have lost your keys permanently.

Thanks for visiting drivinglife.net     

References

milwaukeelockstar.com/

edmunds.com

consumerreports.org/

A remote car starter is nice to have in different situations. I have known people who have used their remote car starter to get their car started, so the air conditioner has time to cool the car down during hot days. And another person used it to get their car warmed up in the morning.

A remote car starter can help you get going faster and more comfortable when you are ready to drive to your destination. Yet, installing one yourself may range from easy to difficult. Should you get someone else to do it?

I don’t have a car starter but can see how helpful it can be to get the car started before you get in your car. If I want to save some money, have enough spare time, have the right tools, and have enough the right information, I might try to install a remote starter myself.

Is It Worth it?

When looking at different types of remote car starters, you may want to determine how you will be using them most often. If you will be using it once a year, it might not be worth it to get one, while if you will be using it weekly it can be worth the time and effort to get one installed.

If you have already used a remote car starter that was installed on a car that you previously own, you may have already found out how helpful it can be. But a remote car starter that is not OEM or doesn’t have a lot of good reviews, may not be worth buying.

They can be difficult to install and if it starts malfunctioning a couple of months after, you will have a lot of headaches trying to fix them or remove them. 

These systems should normally be installed by a professional, who has had experience with remote car-started installation. Lots of mistakes can be made that can cause many headaches if you are not properly educated about all your car’s systems and how they will be affected by the remote car starter. 

If you are well experienced with the electrical system of your car, you may want to try the installation yourself, just consider getting advice and watching several videos if this is your first time installing a system.

What to Look for

If you are interested in an aftermarket remote car starter, look for these indicators to determine if the system will work with your car.

A remote car starter can have a variety of ranges. Decide how far away you will likely be when starting your car. Viper even has an app that you can use to start from your phone. If you will be far away, like when at an office building or store, you may want a long-range car starter.

If a car is older, it most likely won’t have a remote car starter that is OEM that you can buy. You’ll need to purchase an aftermarket remote car starter.  Here’s a video of some advice on what to look for when you’re looking for an installer to help you install your remote car starter.  

Many car starter kits come with alarm systems as well. If that’s an option you are interested in, then you’ll have many options available to choose from.

Sometimes you may find a remote car starter that is specifically designed for your car. This would likely be an easier process to install and add to your car.  

To self Install or Not

One of the most important processes of getting a remote car starter is to decide how you want to install it.

One of the first things I would want to do if I had never installed a remote alarm or car starter on my car is to go to a couple of installation centers. 

I would see what options for remote car starters they have and what prices they are asking for the alarm systems, and how much the installation would cost. 

It’s important to be forthcoming when asking questions and let the installation center know what it is that you want exactly. You’ll get better information and they will feel you are being more sincere.

If you want to buy something from Amazon or another online store, and what the store to install it for you, ask your local store if they will do that for you.

It is likely they will have something that works well for your needs at the store for a competitive price. If your set on a specific product that they don’t offer, see if they will install it for you, and see if you can get an estimate.

If they are not forthcoming with information, then it might be a good idea to try another shop if possible. 

If you decide that you’re up for the challenge of installation, then I would watch several videos and read many reviews about the products that you want to install, so you will have as much relevant information pertaining to your car and the product that will be installed.

Remember that a remote starter may be great but if the company doesn’t have any customer service, you are out of luck and will need to ask for help from a friend or a shop, which could cost a bit of money. 

Features to Consider

If your car already comes with a remote fob, some remote car starter systems can be integrated into your existing car fob or you can replace it with the new car fob from the car remote start installation kit. 

Some kits will have some of the various items:

Common Features to Consider

1. Door Lock and Unlock

If you have doors that are automatic, you’ll be able to lock and unlock them with the new key fob.

2. Trunk Unlock

It can be nice to easily unlock the trunk with your key fob, and most systems will have this option.

3. Remote Start

The remote start activation may be different depending on which system you install. You can start your car from a distance to get ready for the cold or the heat.

4. Alarm Arm and disarm

Kits may have the option to activate and deactivate the alarm system on your car.  

5. Control Two Cars

If you have two cars with the same system installed, it may have the option to control both cars from one fob.

6. Phone App

Your system may allow you to control your car using a phone app. 

7. Range of the System

A long-range remote car start system will use an antenna to help you gain control of your vehicle from up to a mile away, although some have a much shorter range.

Problem Solving

If you’ve installed your remote car starter, yet your car is not starting well or at all, you may need to do some problem-solving. 

This is where electrical or car starter expertise comes in handy. You may need to fix one or more issues related to starting your car, then you may find it starts much better. 

If it still is having problems starting quickly then you’ll need to consider that there is still a condition that needs to be fixed first. 

Doing a tune-up can help you recognize what may be causing the problem. If you look at this article, DYI Tune-Up Guide, it may guide you to a course of action to take.

Sometimes you know your car better than a mechanic if you’re paying attention to its various sounds, smells, and vibrations. It is likely the installation is why your car isn’t starting, yet it could be something different.

If you go to a mechanic to get your remote car starter to work, be as clear as possible about the conditions you experience and your installation. ​

The better grasp you have of the issue and how to explain it, the more likely a mechanic will focus on that detail.

They will usually try to sell you services that you may or may not need. Be prepared for how you will respond, and what you might expect needs to be serviced on your car, so you can make an educated choice about what to do. You can always get a second opinion.

Pros and Cons of Self Install

When you are not sure if you should get a remote car starter, you may want to consider what are the pros and cons of having one.

A car starter can greatly enhance some individuals’ car experience, while not making much of a difference to others.

Remote Car Starters

Pros

• Comfort is Improved
  • You can get the car cooled down when it’s hot and warmed up when it’s cold. 
• You have control of the Locks
  • You can lock and unlock the doors and trunk for quicker access to your car and knowing your car is locked.
• Your Time is Managed Better                        
  • You can get things done without waiting inside the car for the engine to warm up and the snow to melt away from the windows. 
• Security
  • It usually adds security to your car, and sometimes there are advanced features that can tell you what is happening to your car.

Cons

• The Installation is Difficult and a bit Costly
  • If you are familiar with wiring in your car, you may be able to figure out how to install it.
• They are Usually Only Recommended for Automatic Cars 
  • Manual transmissions can be more dangerous to install if someone forgets to put the car in neutral.
• After Market Risk
  • Depending on the system you buy, you may risk lower levels of customer service or warranty.
• Not Saving Gas
  • If you forget and leave your car on, you could empty your gas tank quickly. The further away you start, the more gas you’ll likely spend.

Remote Car Starter Systems Options

Here are a few types of car starters to look at from Amazon.com. There are many types available and you will likely see more options when you go to an installation shop.  

You will likely want a remote car starter because you’re living in either cold or hot places.

Having the right temperature in your car can make a big difference. Deciding on how you will use your remote and what’s your budget like, may big the biggest factor in getting one.

Here are some tips before you buy:

• Determine your budget and learn about how much the product and installation will cost.
• See if you can find videos on how consumers like their remote starter, so you can feel out what your likes and dislikes are.
• Make sure the remote car starter will work with your car before purchase.
• Find out about the quality and customer satisfaction.

Whether you get a cheaper model or a more expensive one, expect to pay the most for installation if that is needed. Add the cost of the kit and $200+ for installation to get a more accurate price of what you need to budget. 

Conclusion 

Getting a remote car starter can be a fun and useful accessory to have for your car. It will help you manage time a bit better, keep comfortable, and may add security to your vehicle.

Most people will want a professional installer to help them get the best service and fewer headaches for their remote starter system. 

Before you know it, you’ll be clicking the start button on your key fob to start your car and get the AC or heater going, so you can be off to your next destination in the comfort of your vehicle.

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