Lost your car key? What to do first

Most people don't think about their car key until the moment it's gone. It slips out of a pocket at a Las Colinas garage, gets left on a restaurant table, or disappears in a car break-in. Modern keys and fobs are more than pieces of metal, so a lost key now raises two questions: how do I get back on the road, and could someone else use this key to take my car?

Here is what I tell drivers.

Before anything goes wrong: make a spare

The simplest fix is the one you do ahead of time. If you have only one working key, get a second one made while the first still works. Copying a working key is usually far simpler than starting from nothing. Keep the spare at home in a drawer, not in the glove box or a magnetic box under the bumper. Thieves know those spots.

If your key is lost

Retrace your steps first and call the last places you visited. Many keys turn up at a front desk or a lost-and-found.

If it's truly gone, check what your insurance or roadside plan covers before you call anyone. Some policies help with key replacement.

When you do call a locksmith, take a minute to protect yourself:

- Ask for the business name and a clear quote before any work starts.

- In Texas, locksmith companies must be licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Program. You can look up a license number on the DPS website in a couple of minutes.

- Be wary of anyone who gives a vague price on the phone and a much higher one once they arrive.

If your key was stolen

A stolen key is a security problem as well as an inconvenience. When a new key is programmed, ask that the lost key be erased from the car's memory. That way, the missing key can no longer start the car, even if someone finds it.

Think about what else was on the ring. If your house key was attached, and especially if your address was in the car on a registration slip or a piece of mail, rekey your home's locks. Rekeying changes the locks so old keys stop working.

Protecting push-to-start fobs at home

Thieves use electronic tools to steal some vehicles. Dallas police recently noted that offenders continue to use key programmers to steal high-end vehicles. A few habits make that harder:

- Don't leave a fob in the car, even in your own driveway.

- At home, keep fobs away from the front door and exterior walls. A small signal-blocking pouch or a metal tin is an easy option.

- Lock the car every time and park in a garage when you can.

- If you hear your car alarm in the middle of the night, call the police first, and then check.

A dead fob isn't always a lost cause

If your fob suddenly stops working, try a new battery before assuming it's broken. Most fobs use a small coin battery you can buy at a grocery store. Many push-to-start fobs also hide a metal key blade inside, so you can still open the door if the battery dies. 

The short version

Make a spare before you need it. If a key is stolen, have it erased from the car and think about rekeying your home. Keep fobs out of the car and away from the front door. And when you call for help, ask for a quote and a license number up front.

Jacob Allouche is the owner of A to Z Locksmith Dallas, a mobile locksmith.