What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys BMW cars are costly and come with sophisticated anti theft technology. This makes them difficult to steal, but it also complicates things when you lose a key. The first thing you need to do if you've lost your BMW key is to contact the dealership. This might not be the most practical option. Instead, you might be thinking about a locksmith. 1. Contact the Dealership You've had a long, tiring day. You're eager to get home and relax in your cozy 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 all day. There are a variety of options to choose from when you need a replacement BMW key. The first option is to visit the dealership. You'll need proof of ownership and an acceptable photo ID, and any other keys that you have. The dealership will then purchase the right key for your vehicle and connect it to your vehicle's computer chip. This process can take up to two weeks, and it will cost you at least $200 in the event that you don't have a backup keys. http://alexandersenp.jigsy.com/entries/general/10-BMW-Key-Fob-Replacement-Tricks-All-Experts-Recommend is to speak with the locksmith. A lot of locksmiths have the equipment to cut the BMW key, and can typically do it at only a fraction of the price of the dealership. A locksmith can program the blank key to your vehicle in addition to cutting it. This can save you lots of time and money, however, you'll need to choose a reputable, professional locksmith. If you have a spare key, you could try using it to unlock your vehicle. But if you don't then you'll need to get your car towed to the dealership to replace the key fob that was lost. This is expensive, time-consuming and expensive 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 going to an agent. This is a less expensive option, but it will need to be programmed by an authorized locksmith or dealer to match your car, which can increase the cost of replacing the key. If you choose to purchase a blank from the internet, be sure you check the reputation of the seller as well as reviews from customers. 2. Contact for a locksmith While the BMW key and fob could appear to be a minor thing to lose however, they are sophisticated pieces of technology that are designed to increase security. BMW keys have transponder chips that send an electronic ID unique to the car when they are inserted in the ignition. They are programmed to store personal settings like seat and mirror positioning, radio presets, and many more. This level of sophistication makes them highly secure and difficult to steal, but it also means they are more complex to replace in the case of damage or loss. It is crucial to be prepared for the eventuality by keeping a spare in a secure location, having the number of a trusted locksmith in your phone and knowing the price of replacing a key. It is crucial to identify the kind of key or fob in your vehicle, since the cost of replacing them will vary depending on its distinctive design. If you have an old, double-edged key with an a keyfob, you could typically find a replacement at an area hardware store for less than $10. However, if you own an advanced key fob that requires special programming, then you'll need to visit either an auto locksmith or a dealership to make sure that the new key fob is properly adapted to the vehicle you own. To safeguard against fraud or unauthorised key duplicates The locksmith will need to confirm that you are the owner of the vehicle as well as your identity. This usually requires an original copy of your driver's licence or registration of your vehicle, or a title. It is important to be aware that getting a replacement fob and key can take up to two weeks. In this time, you will not be able drive your car. It is recommended that you invest in a key protection plan that will cover the cost of replacing keys lost and will also pay for rental vehicles in the event of a loss. 3. Cut a Blank Key You've been through a tiring, long day. You're just dying to get home and change into your comfortable sweatshirt and watch your favorite TV show. But then you realize you've lost the keys to your car. This is the worst feeling ever, and it can put a damper on your evening plans. There are ways to avoid this problem and make sure you always have a spare on hand. You can request a new, blank key made. This can be accomplished by a dealership or an locksmith. The process is fairly easy and requires only a few tools. To begin, you'll need to locate the key hole on your BMW. The keyhole is located at the bottom of the door handle, beneath the trim. Once you've found the keyhole, you can take off the trim panel to expose it. The next step is to secure the original and the blank together using a vice. Then, use a file to shape the blank into a similar form to the original. File slowly and carefully 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 make it easier to see the marks of transfer made by the lock. 4. Get a Replacement If your BMW includes a smart key (also called a proximity key) it is recommended to get that replaced too. These keys emit an electronic code that unlocks your car's doors and also starts the engine. This technology is an excellent security measure to keep your vehicle safe. However it's not perfect, as smart keys can still be lost. Dealers will have to order another key, which could be expensive. https://sahl-berntsen.federatedjournals.com/key-bmw-the-process-isnt-as-hard-as-you-think could take up to a week for the dealer to process and deliver your new key, which will increase the cost. It's not hard to replace the BMW keyfob. You can buy BMW remote key fobs online and have them sent directly to your doorstep. These are often much cheaper than purchasing them from a dealer, and they can also save you the hassle of driving to the dealership to pick up a replacement key. To avoid confusion when purchasing replacement keys, ensure that you have your VIN and proof of ownership handy. Online BMW key fobs also have an inbuilt battery. This is crucial, as the battery in a standard key fob will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. If the battery is defective the fob might cease to function, which can be dangerous when driving. Fortunately, you'll be able to find a replacement BMW's key fob from the manufacturer with little fuss, assuming you have your government ID and proof of ownership ready to go. Losing keys is always a problem, but losing a BMW loss can be especially frustrating. It's important to be aware of your options when it comes to replacing a lost BMW key so you can choose the best one for your situation. Be extra cautious in the future with your keys to your car, so that you don't lose keys! If you do, be sure to look in your pockets as well as your car and places you don't typically keep them.