Ten Common Misconceptions About BMW Keys That Aren't Always True

What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys BMW cars are expensive and feature sophisticated anti-theft technology. This makes them extremely difficult to steal, but can make things when you lose your key. The first thing you should do if you've lost your BMW key is to contact the dealership. This isn't the most practical option. Instead, you might think about hiring the services of a locksmith. 1. Call the Dealership You've had a long, tiring day. You're eager to get home and curl up in your comfy sweats. Take a bite of pizza and watch your favorite show. You have to return your car keys first, which you haven't seen all day. There are several options to choose from in the event that you require a replacement BMW key. The first option is to visit the dealership. You'll need proof of ownership as well as an ID with a valid photo, and any other sets of keys that you have. The dealership will order the right key for your car and pair it with its computer chip. The process can take as long as two weeks and cost you $200 if you don't have an extra key. Contacting a locksmith is another alternative. Many locksmiths have the tools to cut the BMW key, and they can typically do it at a fraction of the cost of the dealership. A locksmith can program the blank key to your car and cut it. This can save you a significant amount of time and money, however, you'll have to find a reliable, professional locksmith. If you have an extra key, you can try using it to unlock your vehicle. If you don't have a spare key, you will need to tow your vehicle to a dealer to replace the lost fob. This is an expensive, unwieldy and expensive method of getting back on the road unless you have a roadside assistance plan such as Emergency Roadside Service by GEICO. Online sellers can be a cheaper alternative to visiting an agent. This is a less expensive alternative, but you'll need to get it programmed to your specific car by a locksmith or dealer that could increase the price of the replacement. If you choose to purchase a blank online be sure to verify the reputation of the seller as well as customer reviews. 2. Call a Locksmith BMW keys and fobs may appear as a minor accessory, but they are actually sophisticated pieces of technology that increase security. BMW keys are fitted with transponder chips, which provide a unique identification to the vehicle every time they are put into the ignition. They can also be programmed to remember personal settings, like mirror and seat positions, radio presets, and more. This level of sophistication makes them highly secure and difficult to steal however it also means that they are more complex to replace in the case of damage or loss. It is essential to be prepared for an eventuality by keeping a spare key in an appropriate location, keeping the number of a reliable locksmith in your phone, and knowing the cost of a new key. To begin, it is critical to know what type of key and fob you have in your vehicle because the process of replacing the items will vary based on their specific design. If you have an old double-edged key with the keyfob, you can typically find the replacement from an area hardware store for less than $10. But if you have an advanced key fob that requires a specific programming process, then you'll need to go to an auto locksmith or a dealership to make sure the new fob is properly adapted to your vehicle. To safeguard against fraud or unauthorised key duplication To protect against fraud or unauthorized key duplication, the locksmith needs to verify that you are the owner of the vehicle and also verify your identity. This will usually require an original copy of your driver's licence and registration for your vehicle or title. It is crucial to understand that getting a new fob and key can take up to two weeks. During this time, you will not be able to drive in your car. It is therefore recommended to invest in an insurance policy that protects your keys. It will cover the costs of replacing lost keys and also reimburse you for rental cars in the case of a loss. 3. Cut a Key Blank It's been a long day and you're just dying to get home, change into some comfy sweatpants, grab some pizza, and watch your favorite show. But then TheKeyLab realize that you've lost the keys to your car. This is the worst feeling ever, and it can really affect your plans for the evening. There are ways to avoid the hassle and make sure you always have spare keys on hand. One option is to have a blank key cut. This can be done by the dealership or by a locksmith. The procedure is relatively easy and requires only a few tools. To begin, you'll need to locate the key hole on your BMW. It's located underneath the trim on the bottom of your 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 fix the original and a blank together using a vice. Use a file to form a blank to resemble the original. Make sure to file slowly and with care to avoid scraping the original key. Once the blank has been formed, you can place it against a flame to blacken it. This will make it easier to read 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 known as a proximity key). The keys emit an electronic code that opens your car doors and can start the engine. This technology is an excellent security measure to keep your vehicle safe. However it's not perfect and smart keys may still be lost. The dealer will have to purchase a new key, which is costly. It could take up a week for the dealer to process and ship your new key, which will increase the cost. It's not impossible to replace the BMW key fob. You can order BMW remote key fobs and have them delivered to your home. They are usually cheaper than buying from a dealer and will save you the hassle driving to the dealership to purchase an additional key. If you're looking to avoid confusion, make sure you have your VIN in hand and proof of ownership when purchasing a new key. Online BMW key fobs also come with a built-in battery. This is important, because the battery in a regular key fob is likely to wear out and will require replacement. If your battery has issues, the fob could stop functioning altogether, which can be a risk when you're driving. If you have your government-issued ID and proof of ownership, you can obtain an additional key fob to your BMW without a lot of hassle. It's not fun to lose your keys, but losing the BMW key can be incredibly frustrating. You must know your options in the event of replacing the lost BMW Key to ensure that you can pick the appropriate one for your situation. Try to be more careful in the future when it comes to your car keys, so that you don't lose them! If you do lose them, make sure to look in your pockets as well as your car and places where you wouldn't normally keep them.