Everything You Need To Know About 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 hard to take away, but it also complicates things if you lose the key. The first thing you need to do if you lose your BMW key is to call the dealership. This might not be the most practical option. You could think about hiring locksmiths instead. 1. Contact the Dealership It's been a long day and you just want to go back home, get into some comfy sweats, grab some pizza, and then on your favorite TV show. You'll need to return your car keys first that you haven't seen all day. There are a variety of options to choose from when you require an replacement BMW key. The first option is going to the dealership. You'll be asked to provide proof of ownership as well as a valid ID. If you own other keys, they'll also require them. The dealership will then order the right key for your car and then pair it with your vehicle's computer chip. This process can take anywhere from two to three weeks, and will cost you at most $200 in the event that you don't have a backup key. A locksmith can be a good alternative. Many locksmiths have the equipment to cut the BMW key, and they can often do so for less than the cost of a dealership. Locksmiths can program the blank key for your vehicle and cut it. This can save you a lot of time and money, however, you'll need to choose a reputable, professional locksmith. If you have a spare key, you can try to use it to unlock your vehicle. But if you don't then you'll need to get your vehicle towed by a dealership to replace your lost key fob. This can be expensive, time-consuming and costly way to get back on the road, unless you have a roadside assistance plan like Emergency Roadside Service by GEICO. A good alternative to visiting an auto dealer is to purchase an uncut BMW key from an online seller. This can be a more affordable option, but you'll need to have it programmed to your specific car by a dealer or locksmith, which can increase the overall price of the replacement. If you do choose to purchase a blank online be sure to verify the reputation of the seller and read customer reviews. 2. Contact similar internet site While the BMW key and fob could appear like a small thing to lose however, they are sophisticated pieces of technology created to enhance security. BMW keys come with transponder chips, which provide a unique identification to the vehicle whenever they are placed in the ignition. They can also be programmed to remember personal settings, such as mirror and seat positions, radio presets and more. This level of sophistication makes keys extremely secure and difficult to take. However, it also makes them more difficult to replace in the event that they become damaged or lost. It is crucial to prepare for such a situation by keeping a spare key in a secure location, having the number of a reputable locksmith on your phone and knowing the price of replacing a key. To begin, it is essential to know the kind of key and fob you have in your vehicle because the process of replacing these items will differ depending on their specific design. If you have an old double-edged key with a keyfob, you can typically find a replacement at an area hardware store for less than $10. But if you have a contemporary key fob that requires a specific programming process, then you'll have to visit a locksmith or a dealer to make sure that the new key fob is set up correctly to work with your vehicle. To guard against fraud or unauthorized key duplication, the locksmith will need to verify that you are the owner of the vehicle as well as your identity. This usually requires an original copy of your driver's licence, vehicle registration or title. It is important to know that the process of getting an additional key and fob might take up to two weeks, during which you'll be unable to drive your vehicle. As a result it is recommended to purchase key protection coverage which will cover the cost of replacing keys that have been lost and provide you with rental car reimbursement in the event of an unforeseen loss. 3. Cut a Blank Key You've had a long, tiring day. You're just dying to go home and change into your comfortable sweatpants and watch your favorite show. You realize that you've misplaced 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 ensure that you always have spare keys available. You can have a blank, new key made. This can be done by the dealership or a locksmith. The process is simple and requires only the use of a few tools. First, you'll have to locate the keyhole on your BMW. This will be located under the trim at the lower part of the door handle. You can remove the trim panel after you've located the keyhole. The next step is to clamp the original and a blank in a vice. 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 is shaped, you can hold it in a fire to darken it with soot. This will help in revealing the marks of transfer made by the lock. 4. Get a replacement You'll also need to replace the smart key if your BMW has one (also known as a proximity key). The keys emit an unique electronic code that can unlock your car doors and start the engine. This is a fantastic security measure to protect your vehicle. However, it's not perfect – smart keys may still be lost. The dealer will need to purchase a new key, which could be expensive. The dealer can take up to one week to process and deliver the new key. This will increase the cost. The good news is that it's not difficult to find an alternative to a BMW key fob. You can purchase BMW remote key fobs online and have them delivered directly to your door. They are usually cheaper than purchasing them from a dealer and they can save you the hassle of driving to the dealership to pick up a new key. If you're looking to avoid confusion, be sure to have your VIN in hand and proof of ownership when you purchase the new key. Another advantage of buying online BMW key fobs is that they include a battery. This is important, because the battery in a standard key fob will eventually degrade and will require replacement. If the battery is damaged, the fob may stop working, which could be dangerous while driving. If you've got your government-issued ID and proof of ownership, you can get an additional key fob to your BMW without much trouble. It's not fun to lose your keys, but losing the BMW key can be incredibly frustrating. It's crucial to know what options you have when replacing a lost BMW key so that you can pick the most appropriate option for your situation. In the future, you should try to be extra cautious with your car keys so you do not lose them in the first place! If you do lose them, make sure to check your pockets or your car for keys, as well as places where you wouldn't normally keep them in.