Unexpected Business Strategies That Helped BMW Keys To Succeed
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 complicates issues when you lose your keys.
If you lose your BMW key the first step is to contact your dealership. This isn't the most practical option. Instead, you might be thinking about the services of a locksmith.
1. Contact the Dealership
It's been a long day and you're just dying to get back home, get into some comfortable sweats, eat some pizza, and binge watch your favorite show. You have to return your keys to your car first that you haven't seen throughout the day.
There are several choices to consider in the event that you require an replacement BMW key. The first option is to go to the dealership. You'll be asked for proof of ownership and a valid ID. If you have other keys, they'll also require them. The dealership will then request the appropriate key for your vehicle and pair it with the computer chip of your vehicle. This process could take upwards of two weeks, and it will cost you at least $200 if you don't have a backup key.
A locksmith can be a good alternative. Locksmiths can cut BMW keys for the cost of a fraction of the cost of a dealership. In addition to cutting the blank, locksmiths can also program it to your vehicle. This could save you a significant amount of time and money, however, you'll have to find a reliable professional locksmith.
If you have an additional key, you can use it to unlock your vehicle. If you don't have a spare key, you'll need to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace your lost fob. Unless you have the benefit of an emergency roadside service plan, like Emergency Roadside Service from GEICO, this will be an expensive and unwieldy way to get your car back on the road.
Online sellers can be a cheaper alternative to visiting a dealer. This is a more affordable option, but it will need to be programmed by a locksmith or dealer to be fitted to your vehicle, which will increase the cost of the replacement. If you decide to purchase a blank from the internet make sure you check the reputation of the seller as well as customer reviews.
2. Contact a locksmith
While a BMW key and fob may appear to be a minor thing to lose however, they are sophisticated pieces of technology that are designed to improve security. BMW keys are equipped with transponder chips, which provide a unique identification to the vehicle whenever they are inserted into the ignition. They can also be programmed to keep personal settings, like seat and mirror positions, radio presets and more. This level of sophistication makes them incredibly safe and hard to steal, but it also means they are more complex to replace in the case of damage or loss.
It is essential to be prepared for this type of situation by keeping keys in a secure location and having a dependable locksmith on your phone, and understanding the basic cost of the replacement key. To begin, it is critical to know what type of key and fob you have in your vehicle because the process of replacing these items will differ depending on the unique design of each.
For instance, if own a traditional double-edged vehicle key with an attached key fob you can usually get an entirely new one at the local hardware store for less than $10. If you have an advanced key fob that requires special programming, you'll need to go to a locksmith or a dealer to make sure the new fob is set up correctly to your vehicle.
Before the new key can be made the locksmith or dealer will need to verify your identity and ownership of the vehicle in order to safeguard against fraud and unauthorized duplicate keys. This will typically require a copy of your driver's license, registration for your vehicle or title.
It is crucial to understand that getting a new fob and key could take up to two weeks. During this time you won't be able to drive your vehicle. Therefore it is recommended to invest in key protection coverage that will pay for the replacement of your lost keys and provide you with rental car reimbursement in the event of an unexpected loss.
3. Cut a Blank Key
It's been a tiring day and you just want to get back home, put on some comfy sweatpants, order some pizza and binge on 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 avoid this hassle and ensure that you always have a spare key in your arsenal. You can request a new, blank key made. This can be done through the dealership or a locksmith. bmw key replacement is easy and only requires the use of a few tools.
To begin, you'll need find the key hole on your BMW. The keyhole is located at the bottom of the door handle, under the trim panel. Once you've found the keyhole, you can remove the trim panel to expose it.
Then you can clamp the blank and the original using a vise. Make use of a file to shape an unfinished blank to look like the original. Be sure to do this slowly and carefully, as you don't want to scratch the original key. Once the blank has been formed, you can place it over a flame and make it black. This will make it easier to discern the marks left by the lock.
4. Find a Replacement
If your BMW has a smart key (also called a proximity key) it is recommended to get that replaced too. These keys emit an electronic code that unlocks the doors of your vehicle and then begins the engine. This technology is an excellent anti-theft measure that keeps your vehicle secure. However it's not perfect, as smart keys can still be lost. Finding a replacement at the dealer can be costly and they'll need to purchase a brand new one. It can take up to one week for the dealer to process and ship your new key, which can increase the overall cost.
The good news is that it's not impossible to find an alternative for the BMW key fob. You can buy BMW remote key fobs and receive them at your residence. They are generally less expensive than buying from a dealer, and could save you the hassle driving to the dealer for a replacement key. If you're trying to avoid confusion, be sure to have your VIN handy and proof of ownership when purchasing the new key.
Another benefit of buying online BMW key fobs is that they include a battery. This is crucial because the battery inside a standard keyfob will eventually degrade and will require replacement. If the battery is defective the fob could cease to function, which can be dangerous when driving. Fortunately, you can usually find a replacement BMW's key fob through the manufacturer without much hassle provided you have your government ID and proof of ownership ready to go.
It's always a hassle to lose your keys but losing a BMW key can be particularly difficult. You must know your options in the event of replacing a lost BMW Key, so that you can select the best option for your needs. Make sure you are more cautious in the future, when it comes to your car keys, so that you don't lose keys! Examine your pockets, your car, and other places where you don't usually keep your keys.