Unexpected Business Strategies Helped BMW Keys To Succeed
What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys
BMW cars are costly and come with sophisticated anti theft technology. This makes them hard to steal and also makes things when you lose the key.
If you've lost a BMW key first step is to contact your dealer. This may not be your most convenient choice. Instead, you might be thinking about using a locksmith.
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 watch your favorite show. You must return your car keys first, which you haven't seen all day.
You have a few options to pick from when you need an replacement BMW key. The first option is going to the dealership. You'll need proof of ownership and an ID with a valid photo, and any other keys that you have. The dealership will then purchase the right key for your vehicle and then 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 you don't have a backup key.
Another option is to call a locksmith. Locksmiths are able to cut BMW keys for less than the cost of a dealership. A locksmith can program the blank key to your car as well as cut it. This can save you lots of time and money, however, you'll have to choose a reputable professional locksmith.
If you have an extra key, you can try to use it to unlock your vehicle. If you don't, you'll need to have your car towed into the dealership for replacement of the lost key fob. This is an expensive, unwieldy and costly way to get back on the road, unless you have a roadside plan such as Emergency Roadside Service by GEICO.
Online sellers offer a cheaper alternative to visiting a dealer. This is a less expensive alternative, but you'll need to get it programmed to your specific car by a dealer or locksmith, which can increase the overall price of the replacement. If you decide to purchase a blank from the internet, be sure to research the reputation of the seller as well as customer reviews.
2. Call a Locksmith
While a BMW key and fob might appear like a small thing to lose however, they are sophisticated pieces of technology created to improve security. BMW keys come with transponder chips. These chips provide a unique identification to the vehicle when they are put into 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 the keys extremely secure and difficult to take. However, it also makes them more difficult to replace if they are lost or damaged.
Therefore, it is essential to be prepared for this type of scenario by storing keys in a safe location and having a dependable locksmith in your phone contacts and knowing the basic cost of a replacement key. In the beginning, it is important to identify the kind of key and fob you have in your vehicle, because the process of replacing the items will vary based on their unique design.
If you have an old double-edged key with an a keyfob, you could generally find the replacement from an area hardware store for less than $10. But if you have an advanced key fob that requires a special programming, you'll have to visit an auto locksmith or a dealership to make sure the new fob is set up correctly to the vehicle you own.
Before the new key can be made the locksmith or dealer will need to verify your identity and ownership of the vehicle to safeguard against unauthorized key duplication. This will usually require an original copy of your driver's licence or registration of your vehicle, or a title.
It is important to know that getting a new key and fob could take up to two weeks. In this time you won't be able to drive in your car. It is recommended to purchase an insurance policy that protects your keys. It will cover the cost of replacing keys lost and also reimburse you for rental cars in the event of a loss.
3. Cut a Key Blank
It's been a long, tiring day and you're eager to get home, change into some comfy sweatpants, order some pizza and watch your favorite TV show. But then bmw spare key fob realize that you've lost the keys to your car. This is the most painful feeling and can cause a major disruption to your plans for the evening.
There are ways to get around the hassle and make sure you always have spare keys on hand. One option is to get a blank key cut. This can be done by the dealership or locksmiths. The procedure is relatively simple and requires a couple of tools.
To begin, you'll need locate the key hole on your BMW. This will be located under the trim panel on the lower part of the door handle. You can take off the trim once you've located the keyhole.
Then you can clamp the original and blank together using a vise. Then, use a chisel to shape the blank to resemble to the original. Make sure to file slowly and with care to avoid scraping the original key. Once the blank has been cut and shaped, you can place it in a fire to darken it with soot. This will make it easier to see the marks left by the lock.
4. Get a Replacement
It is also recommended to replace the smart key when your BMW has one (also called a proximity key). These keys emit an electronic code that unlocks your car's doors and also can start the engine. This technology is an excellent security measure that helps keep your vehicle safe. Smart keys are susceptible to being lost, but they are not the perfect solution. Getting a replacement from the dealer can be costly, and they'll have to purchase a brand new one. It could take up to a week for the dealer to process and ship your new key, which can add to your overall 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 and have them delivered to your home. They are generally less expensive than buying from a dealer and will reduce the need to drive to the dealer for an additional key. If you're looking to avoid confusion, have your VIN handy as well as proof of ownership when ordering a new key.
Online BMW key fobs also come with an inbuilt battery. This is crucial, as the battery inside a normal key fob will eventually degrade and require replacement. If the battery is having a problem, the fob could stop functioning entirely, which could be dangerous when you're traveling. Fortunately, you can get a replacement for your BMW's key fob through the manufacturer with little fuss provided you have your government ID and proof of ownership to go.
Losing your keys is always a problem, but losing a BMW loss can be especially difficult. It's important to be aware of your options when it comes to replacing the lost BMW key so you can select the best option for your particular situation. In the future, try to be more careful with your keys to your car so that you don't lose them in first place! If you do, be sure to look in your pockets or your car for keys, as well as places where you're not likely to keep them in.