If you have bought a used car, or simply realised that your vehicle only came with one, you are not alone. Having one working car key does not create an immediate problem, but it does mean that losing or damaging that key could leave you unable to access your vehicle.
The sensible time to think about a spare car key is while your existing key is still working. Modern vehicle keys can involve much more than copying a piece of metal, so understanding what type of key you have and what is involved in creating another one can help you decide what to do next.
Should You Get a Spare Car Key?
Having a spare car key gives you another way into your vehicle if your main key is lost or suddenly stops working. It can also be useful in households where more than one person regularly drives the same vehicle. Instead of constantly passing one key between drivers, each person can have access when they need it.
There is another important reason to consider arranging a spare before you lose your final key. If you still have a working key, an auto locksmith can inspect it and use information from both the key and vehicle when producing the additional one. An all-keys-lost situation can require a different process because there is no longer a functioning key available to work from.
What Type of Spare Car Key Do You Need?
The type of spare you need depends on your vehicle. Older vehicles may use a straightforward mechanical key, whereas newer cars can have transponder keys, remote central-locking keys, smart keys or keyless-entry fobs. You can read more about these differences in our guide to the different types of car keys.
It is important that a replacement does everything your existing key is supposed to do. On many vehicles, simply cutting the correct blade is not enough. A transponder chip or electronic fob may also need to communicate with the vehicle’s immobiliser before the engine will start.
Does a Spare Car Key Need to Be Programmed?
Many modern spare car keys need programming. A vehicle equipped with an immobiliser will usually look for the correct electronic signal from the transponder inside the key. A correctly cut blade might turn in the ignition or open a door, but the vehicle may still refuse to start if it cannot recognise the transponder.
Remote and smart keys can require additional programming so that functions such as remote locking, unlocking or keyless starting work correctly. If you want to understand what happens during this process, our guide to how car key programming works explains the relationship between the key and vehicle in more detail.
What Happens If You Lose Your Only Car Key?
Losing your only key is inconvenient, but it does not necessarily mean the vehicle has to be taken to a main dealer. Professional auto locksmiths can produce replacement keys for many vehicles even when the original is no longer available. Depending on the car, this can involve gaining access to the vehicle, determining the correct key specification, cutting a new key and programming it to the vehicle.
There can also be a security issue to consider if the original key has genuinely been lost rather than simply damaged. Where the vehicle allows it, a missing key may be removed from the vehicle’s authorised key information so it can no longer be used to start the car. We cover the wider steps to consider in our guide on what to do when you lose your car keys.
Where Should You Keep Your Spare Car Key?
Once you have a spare, where you keep it matters. Leaving both keys together defeats much of the point of having a backup. If the keys are stored in the same bag, drawer or coat and that item disappears, you can still end up without access to your vehicle. Keep the spare somewhere secure and separate from the key you use every day.
You should also make sure anyone who may need the spare knows where it is without leaving it somewhere obvious or insecure. For vehicles using keyless entry, follow sensible vehicle-security precautions when storing both keys and avoid leaving them unnecessarily close to the car itself.
Get a Spare Car Key Before You Need It
If you currently have one working car key, arranging a spare means you have a backup ready if that key is lost, damaged or develops a fault. Pavlock Auto Locksmith can cut and programme spare keys for a wide range of cars, vans and key types, including transponder keys, remote keys and modern keyless fobs. Our mobile service means the work can be carried out at your location rather than requiring a trip to a dealership.
If you only have one car key and want to find out what type of spare your vehicle needs, contact Pavlock Auto Locksmith for advice and a quote. Let us know your vehicle make, model and registration and we can establish the appropriate key and programming requirements before arranging your spare.