10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From BMW Keys
What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys
BMW cars are expensive, and they come with sophisticated anti-theft technology. This makes them extremely difficult to steal, but can make matters when you lose your keys.
The first thing you should do in the event that you lose your BMW key is to contact the dealership. But this may not be the most practical solution. Instead, you might think about hiring a locksmith.
1. Contact the Dealership
It's been a tiring day and you just want to go home, change into comfy sweats, grab some pizza, and binge on your favorite TV show. But before you can do anything you'll need to make one last stop and give your keys back to your vehicle that you haven't seen since the beginning of the day.
There are a lot of options for getting your BMW key replacement. The first option is to visit the dealership. You'll need proof of ownership, a valid photo ID and any other keys that you have. The dealership will order the right key for your car and pair it with its computer chip. This process can take anywhere from two to three weeks, and it will cost you at most $200 in the event you don't have a backup key.
Another option is to speak with a locksmith. Many locksmiths have the equipment to cut a BMW key, and they can typically do it at only a fraction of the price of dealerships. A locksmith can program the blank key to your vehicle in addition to cutting it. This will save you time and money. However, you will require a professional locksmith who is reliable.
If you have an extra key, you could use it to unlock the vehicle. If you don't have one, you'll have to get your car towed into the dealership for replacement of your lost key fob. This is a costly, inconvenient and expensive method of getting back on the road, unless you have a roadside plan like Emergency Roadside Service by GEICO.
A good alternative to visiting a dealership is to purchase a blank BMW key from an online retailer. This can be a more affordable alternative, but you'll have to have it programmed for your specific car by a locksmith or dealer, which can increase the overall price of the replacement. If you decide to buy a blank online make sure to check out the seller's reputation as well as customer reviews.
2. Call for a locksmith
While a BMW key and fob could appear like a small thing to lose but they are actually sophisticated pieces of technology created to enhance 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, such as seat and mirror positions, radio presets and many more. This level of sophistication makes them extremely secure and difficult to take, but it also means that they are more complex to replace in the event of loss or damage.
It is essential to be prepared for a situation by keeping a spare in a secure location, having the number of a reliable locksmith at your fingertips and knowing the price of replacing a key. It is essential to determine the kind of key or fob in your vehicle, since the cost of replacing them will differ in accordance with the distinctive design.
For instance, if have a traditional double-edged car key with an accessory key fob, you can typically get an entirely new one at an hardware store in your area for less than $10. However, if you own an advanced key fob that requires specific programming process, then you'll need to go to a locksmith or a dealership to ensure that the new fob is correctly configured to the vehicle you own.
Before the new key can be made, the locksmith or dealership will require proof of your identity and the ownership of the vehicle in order to guard against fraud and unauthorised key duplication. This usually requires a copy of your driver's license, vehicle registration, or title.
It is crucial to understand that getting a replacement fob and key could take as long as two full weeks. For this period, you will not be able to drive in your car. Therefore it is advised to purchase key protection coverage that will cover the cost of replacing keys that have been lost and will provide you with rental car reimbursement in the event of an unexpected loss.
3. Cut a Key Blank
You've been through a long, exhausting day. You're just dying to go home, change into your comfortable sweatshirt and watch your favorite TV show. You realize you've lost the keys to your car. This is the most traumatic feeling ever, and it could really put a damper on your plans for the evening.
There are ways to avoid this hassle and make sure you always have a spare key in your arsenal. One option is to have a blank key cut. This can be done through the dealership or a locksmith. The procedure is quite simple and requires a couple of tools.
To start, you'll need to locate the key hole on your BMW. This will be located under the trim at the bottom of your door handle. You can remove the trim panel once you've found the keyhole.
Next, you'll need to fix the original and a blank in a vice. Then, use a file to form the blank to resemble to the original. Be sure to do this slowly and carefully in order not to scrape the original key. Once the blank is shaped, you can hold it against a flame to darken it with soot. This will make it easier to read the marks left by the lock.
4. Get a replacement
If your BMW includes smart keys (also known as a proximity key) You'll need to replace it as well. These keys generate an electronic code that allows you to open your car doors and start the engine. mouse click the following article is an excellent security measure to ensure your car is secure. Smart keys can get lost, but they are not perfect. Getting a replacement from the dealership can be expensive, and they'll have to purchase a new key. The dealer can take up to one week to process and send the new key. This can increase the cost.
It's not difficult to replace a BMW keyfob. You can buy BMW remote key fobs online and have them delivered directly to your door. They are generally less expensive than buying from a dealer and will help you avoid the hassle of driving to the dealership to purchase a replacement key. To avoid confusion when ordering replacement keys, ensure that you have your VIN and evidence of ownership.
Another benefit of buying online BMW key fobs is that they include a battery. This is important as the battery inside a regular keyfob will eventually degrade and require replacing. If the battery is damaged the fob could not function properly, and this could be dangerous while 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 to go.
It's not fun to lose your keys, but losing the BMW key can be especially frustrating. You must know your options in the event of replacing a lost BMW Key so that you can pick the right one for your particular situation. In the future, make an effort to be more careful with your keys to your car so that you don't lose them in the first place! If you do, make sure to check your pockets as well as your car and places where you wouldn't normally keep them in.