Quiz: How Much Do You Know About BMW Keys?

What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys BMW cars are expensive, and come with sophisticated anti-theft technology. This makes them difficult to take away, but it also complicates things if you lose 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 efficient option. You might consider hiring locksmiths instead. 1. Call the Dealership It's been a long day and you're eager to go back home, get into some comfortable sweats, eat some pizza, and then watch your favorite show. You'll need to return your car keys first that you haven't seen all day. There are a lot of options for getting your BMW key replacement. The first option is going to the dealership. You'll need proof of ownership, an ID with a valid photo and any other sets of keys you have. The dealership will then request the right key for your vehicle and connect it to the computer chip of your vehicle. This process could take anywhere from two to three weeks, and will cost you around $200 if you don't have a backup keys. Contacting a locksmith is a different alternative. Locksmiths can cut BMW keys at the cost of a fraction of what dealerships charge. A locksmith can program the blank key to your car as well as cut it. This will save you time and money. But, you'll need to find an experienced locksmith who is trustworthy. If you have an extra key, you could try using it to unlock your car. If you don't have one, you'll have to get your car towed into the dealership for replacement of your lost key fob. If you don't have the benefit of a roadside assistance plan like Emergency Roadside Service from GEICO, this will be a costly and inconvenient option to get your vehicle back on the road. Online sellers can be a cheaper alternative to visiting an agent. This is a cheaper alternative however, it will need to be programmed by an expert locksmith or dealer to fit your vehicle, which will increase the cost of replacing the key. If you choose to purchase a blank online, make sure you check the seller's reputation as well as reviews from customers. 2. Contact for a locksmith While the BMW key and fob may appear to be a minor thing to lose however, they are sophisticated pieces of technology created to enhance security. BMW keys are fitted with transponder chips that transmit a unique ID to the vehicle whenever they are inserted into the ignition. They can also be programmed to remember personal settings, such as seat and mirror positions, radio presets and more. This level of sophistication makes keys extremely secure and difficult to take. However, it also makes them harder to replace in the event that they become lost or damaged. Therefore, it is crucial to be prepared for this kind of scenario by storing the spare key in a secure place and having a dependable locksmith on your phone and knowing the basic cost of the replacement key. To begin, it is important to identify the type of key and fob you have in your vehicle, because the process of replacing the item will differ based on their unique design. For instance, if you have a traditional double-edged car key that has an attached key fob You can typically have a new one made at a local hardware store for less than $10. If you have a key fob with a special program you'll need to go to an authorized locksmith or dealer to ensure the new fob is configured correctly to your vehicle. Before the new key can be made the locksmith or the dealership will require proof of your identity and ownership of the vehicle in order to guard against fraud and unauthorised key duplicates. This typically requires a copy of your driver's license, vehicle registration or title. It is crucial to realize that the process of getting a new fob and key could take up to two weeks, during which time you won't be able to drive your car. It is therefore recommended that you invest in a key protection policy which will cover the cost of replacing lost keys and also reimburse you for rental vehicles in the event of a loss. 3. Cut a Blank Key It's been a long, tiring day and you're just dying to go back home, put on some comfortable sweatpants, eat some pizza and binge on your favorite show. You realize that you've misplaced your car keys. It's the most awful feeling you've ever experienced, and can really ruin your evening plans. There are ways to avoid this hassle and ensure that you always have a spare on hand. You can have a new, blank key made. This can be done through the dealership or an locksmith. The procedure is quite simple and requires a couple of tools. To start, you'll need to find the key hole on your BMW. It's located underneath the trim on the bottom of your door handle. You can take off the trim panel once you've located the keyhole. Then bmw key replacement near me The Keylab can clamp the blank and the original using a vise. Use a file to form a blank to resemble the original. File slowly and carefully to avoid scraping the original key. After the blank has been cut, you can hold it against a flame to blacken it. This will help in revealing the transfer marks made by the lock. 4. Get a replacement If your BMW has a smart key (also called a proximity key), you'll want to get that replaced too. These keys emit an electronic code that opens the doors of your vehicle and then begins the engine. This technology is an excellent security measure that helps keep your vehicle secure. However it's not perfect, as smart keys may still be lost. Getting a replacement from the dealer can be costly, and they'll have to purchase a brand new one. The dealer could take up to a week to process and send a new key. This will increase the cost. The good news is that it's not impossible to find an alternative to a BMW key fob. You can buy BMW remote key fobs online and have them delivered directly to your doorstep. They are typically less expensive than buying from a dealer, and could save you the hassle driving to the dealership to purchase an additional key. If you want to avoid confusion, have your VIN handy as well as proof of ownership when ordering a new key. Another benefit of online BMW key fobs is that they include batteries. This is crucial because the battery inside a normal key fob will eventually degrade and need to be replaced. If the battery is damaged the fob might cease to function, which can be dangerous while 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 trouble. Losing keys is always a headache however, a BMW loss can be especially frustrating. It's crucial to know what your options are when you need to replace a lost BMW key so that you can select the best option for your particular situation. In the future, make an effort to be more cautious with your car keys so you do not lose them in the first place! Make sure you check your pockets, your car and other places you aren't likely to keep your keys.