Five Lessons You Can Learn From BMW Keys
What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys BMW cars are costly, and they have sophisticated anti-theft technologies. This makes them extremely difficult to steal, but can make matters when you lose your keys. If you lose your BMW key the first step is to contact your dealership. This may not be your most convenient choice. You could consider hiring a locksmith instead. 1. Contact the Dealership It's been a long, tiring day. You just want to get home and relax in your comfy sweats. Get some pizza and watch your favorite show. But before you can do any of that you must make one last stop to return your vehicle keys that you haven't seen since the start of the day. Luckily, you have a variety of options when it comes to getting your BMW key replacement. The first option is to visit the dealership. You'll be asked to provide proof of ownership and an ID valid. If you have any other keys, they'll also need them. The dealership will then request the appropriate key for your vehicle and pair it with the chip in your car's computer. The process can take between two and three weeks and cost you $200 if don't have a spare key. Contacting a locksmith is a different option. Locksmiths are able to cut BMW keys for less than the cost of a dealership. A locksmith can program the blank key for your vehicle in addition to cutting it. bmw spare key fob can save you a significant amount of time and money, but you'll need to find a reliable professional locksmith. If you have an extra key, you can use it to unlock your vehicle. If you don't have one, you'll have to get your car towed to the dealership to replace the lost key fob. If you don't have the benefit of an emergency roadside service plan, such as Emergency Roadside Service from GEICO it will be an expensive and unwieldy method of getting your car back on the road. Online sellers offer a cheaper alternative to visiting dealers. This is a less expensive option however, it will need to be programmed by an expert locksmith or dealer to fit your vehicle, which could increase the cost of the replacement. If you choose to purchase a blank from the internet, be sure to research the reputation of the seller as well as reviews from customers. 2. Contact a locksmith While a BMW key and fob may seem like an insignificant accessory to lose but they are actually sophisticated pieces of technology created to increase security. BMW keys contain transponder chips that transmit a unique electronic ID to the car when inserted into the ignition. They also are programmed to remember personalized settings like seat and mirror positioning, radio presets, and many more. This level of sophistication makes them extremely safe and hard to steal, but it also means that they are more complex to replace in the case of damage or loss. It is important to prepare for such a situation by keeping a spare key in an area that is secure, having the number of a trusted locksmith in your phone and knowing the price of a new key. It is essential to identify the kind of fob or key in your vehicle, since replacing them will be different in accordance with the unique design. For instance, if you have a classic double-edged car key that has an accessory key fob You can typically have an entirely new one at the local hardware store for less than $10. If you have a contemporary key fob that requires special programming, you'll have to visit a locksmith or a dealer to make sure the new fob is correctly configured to your vehicle. Before the new key can be made, the locksmith or dealership will need to verify your identity and the ownership of the vehicle in order to safeguard against fraud and unauthorised key duplicates. This usually requires an original copy of your 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. During this time you won't be able to drive your vehicle. It is therefore recommended to purchase a key protection policy which will cover the cost of replacing keys that are lost and will also pay for rental cars in the case of a loss. 3. Cut a Key Blank You've been through a tiring, long day. You're just dying to get home and put on your sweatpants and binge-watch your favorite TV show. But then you realize that you've lost your car keys. This is the most traumatic feeling you've ever experienced, and can really ruin your evening plans. There are ways to avoid this issue and ensure that you always have a spare on hand. One option is having a blank key cut. This can be done by the dealership or a locksmith. The process is fairly simple and requires a couple of tools. To begin, you'll need to find the key hole on your BMW. This will be located under the trim panel on the lower part of the door handle. Once you've found the keyhole, you'll be able to remove the trim panel to expose it. Next, you'll need to clamp the original and a blank together using 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. Once the blank is shaped, you can hold it in a fire to blacken it with soot. This will help to make it easier to discern the transfer marks created by the lock. 4. Get a replacement It is also recommended to replace the smart key in case your BMW has one (also known as a proximity key). These keys emit a unique electronic code that allows you to open the doors of your vehicle and then start the engine. This is a fantastic protection against theft to protect your vehicle. Smart keys can get lost, but they are not the perfect solution. The dealer will have to order another key, which is expensive. The dealer may take up to a week to process and deliver the new key. This will increase the cost. It's not impossible to replace a BMW key fob. You can buy BMW remote key fobs on the internet and have them delivered directly to your doorstep. They are typically less expensive than buying from a dealer, and could reduce the need to drive to the dealership for the replacement key. If you're trying to avoid confusion, be sure to have your VIN handy and proof of ownership when you purchase a new key. Online BMW key fobs also come with a built-in battery. This is crucial, as the battery inside a normal key fob will eventually degrade and require replacement. If the battery is faulty, the fob may cease to function, which can be dangerous while driving. Fortunately, you'll be able to find a replacement for your BMW's key fob through the manufacturer with no hassle, assuming you have your government ID and proof of ownership ready to go. Losing keys is always a problem but a BMW loss can be incredibly difficult. It's crucial to know what your options are when replacing the lost BMW key so that you can pick the most appropriate option for your needs. In the future, try to be more careful with your car keys so you do not lose them in the first place! If you do, be sure to look in your pockets, your car, and places where you're not likely to keep them in.