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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 take away, but it also complicates things when you lose the key. The first thing you should do if you've lost your BMW key is to contact the dealership. But this may not be the most practical option. Instead, you may think about hiring the services of a locksmith. 1. Call the Dealership It's been a long, tiring day and you just want to get back home, get into some comfy clothes, grab a slice of pizza, and then on your favorite TV show. You have to return your car keys first and you've not seen them all day. Fortunately, you have several options for finding your BMW key replacement. The first option is to visit the dealership. You'll need to provide proof of ownership, a valid photo ID as well as any other sets of keys you have. The dealership will purchase the right key for your car and pair it with its computer chip. This process could take anywhere from two to three weeks, and will cost you at most $200 in the event you do not have a backup key. Another option is to contact the locksmith. Many locksmiths have the tools to cut a BMW key, and they can typically do it at less than the cost of dealerships. In The Key Lab to cutting the blank, a locksmith can also program it into your vehicle. This can save you lots of time and money, but you'll have to locate a reliable professional locksmith. If you have an extra key, you could use it to unlock your vehicle. If you don't have a spare key, you'll have to tow your vehicle to the dealer to replace your lost fob. If you don't have the benefit of a roadside assistance plan like Emergency Roadside Service from GEICO This is an expensive and time-consuming way to get your car back on the road. Online sellers can be a cheaper alternative to visiting an agent. This can be a cheaper option, but you'll need to have it programmed to the specific vehicle by a locksmith or dealer and this could increase the price of the replacement. If you decide to buy a blank online make sure you check the seller's reputation and customer reviews. 2. Contact a locksmith BMW keys and fobs can appear as a minor accessory, but they are actually sophisticated pieces of technology that increase security. BMW keys contain transponder chips that transmit a unique electronic ID to the car whenever they are inserted in the ignition. They are programmed to remember personalized settings such as mirror and seat positions, radio presets and many other things. This level of sophistication makes them highly safe and hard to steal however it also means they are more difficult to replace in the event of damage or loss. It is crucial to be prepared for such a situation by keeping a spare key in an appropriate location, keeping the number of a trusted locksmith on your phone, and knowing the cost of replacing a key. It is crucial to identify the kind of fob or key in your vehicle, since replacing them will be different due to the unique design. For instance, if have a traditional double-edged car key with a key fob on it you can usually get an entirely new one at the local hardware store for less than $10. If you have a keyfob that is programmable or an exclusive program, you will need to see an authorized locksmith or dealer to ensure the new fob is correctly configured to your vehicle. Before the new key can be made, the locksmith or dealership will need to verify your identity and the ownership of the vehicle to guard against fraud and unauthorised duplicate keys. This usually requires an original copy of your driver's license, registration for your vehicle or title. It is crucial to realize that the process of obtaining an additional fob and key can take up to two weeks, during which time you won't be able to drive your vehicle. It is therefore recommended to invest in a key protection plan that will cover the cost of replacing keys lost as well as reimburse you for rental vehicles in the case of a loss. 3. Cut a Key Blank It's been a tiring day and you just want to go home, change into some comfortable sweatpants, eat some pizza and watch your favorite show. 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 cut out the hassle and make sure you always have spare keys in your possession. You can get a blank, new key made. This can be accomplished through the dealership or a locksmith. The process is simple and requires only the use of a few tools. To begin, you'll need to find the key hole on your BMW. The keyhole is located at the bottom of the door handle, beneath the trim. You can remove the trim once you've found the keyhole. Next, you'll need to fix the original and a blank together using a vice. Then, use a file to form the blank into a similar form to the original. File slowly and carefully to avoid scraping the original key. Once the blank is cut, you can hold it in a fire and then 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 if your BMW has one (also called a proximity key). The keys emit an electronic code that opens the doors of your vehicle and then can start the engine. This is a great anti-theft measure that keeps your vehicle secure. Smart keys are susceptible to being lost, but they're not the perfect solution. Finding a replacement at the dealer can be costly and the dealer will have to purchase a new key. It could take up one week for the dealer to process and deliver your new key, which can add to your overall cost. The good news is that it's not hard to find an alternative to a BMW key fob. You can buy BMW remote key fobs on the internet and have them delivered right to your door. They're usually less expensive than purchasing them from a dealer, and they can save you the hassle of traveling to the dealership to pick up a replacement key. If you want to avoid confusion, make sure you have your VIN in hand and proof of ownership when you purchase an additional key. Another benefit of buying online BMW key fobs is that they include batteries. This is important, because the battery in a regular key fob will eventually degrade and require replacement. If your battery is suffering from issues, the fob will likely stop working entirely, which could be dangerous while traveling. Fortunately, you can find a replacement for your BMW's key fob directly from the manufacturer with no hassle provided you have your government ID and proof of ownership to go. It's not fun to lose your keys, but losing a BMW key can be particularly frustrating. It's important to know what your options are when it comes to replacing the lost BMW key so you can select the best option for your 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! Check your pockets, car, and other places where you don't normally keep your keys.