Lost my car's key what do I do?

Question

Okay um actually it's not my car it's my dad's (I'm 13 I don't own a car obviously)

But anyways my dad lost his keys (it's somewhere in the house) but we need to use the car and don't have time to find the key

The car model is Chrysler Town & Country 2001 Limited Edition

I know the options I have well maybe I'm not sure
1. Go to the Dealer
2. Go get a blank key from eBay and get it cut and programmed by a locksmith

Problems
1. My dad bought it from my step-brother for $20,000 back in 2007 and my dad said my step-brother still hasn't given the papers or something to register the car to my dad's name but IDK

2. Well there's no problems in doing this option but it might turn out that the locksmith might not have the codes or things to program the key (I heard California has a law where car manufacturer's have to give locksmiths the key codes and stuff to program a key but I live in Florida)

Please don't answer look for it cause obviously we'll try looking but my dad needs the car fast so...
Plus with option 1 I think we have to spend $200 just to get the key replaced?

Answer 1

Keys can only be legally made for the registered owner regardless of who signs what. Authorizations are worthless if the signer doesn't have what is legally known as 'standing', the legal right to give permission. It is also illegal not to convey title to a paid for vehicle. How is this vehicle being licensed and insured without title? Something isn't right here.

Answer 2

if you have NO keys what so ever then your probably going to have to change the switch if its a new car 2000 and up then you have to take it to the dealer or at least a locksmith that can program a chip cuz most likely your key had a chip in it so the car wont start if the chip isn't close by the will end up puting in a new switch and a new set of keys shood be given to you but it will be a heft cost but if it's an older car then just change the ignition switch and the door lockswitch so you can get in the car and out on older cars it's not that expensive

Answer 3

You are going to have trouble. Most any locksmith or dealership is going to ask for proof of ownership of the vehicle, otherwise, it just looks like theft, and they will not want to get tangled in it. You need to use the car ASAP, forget getting a blank from eBay, it will take at least a week before you even see the key come. Besides, the dealer, or the locksmith will have the blanks, forget buying off eBay. Good luck, and if your Dad finds the key, have him make a spare.

Answer 4

You never had an extra? Maybe the person you bought it from has the extra spare key or you can always call up someone who can hot wire a car but that might not be the best idea. I think you should go with the first option and if they won't allow it because it's not registered under his name then ask what you can do they'll probably tell you that they need he owner, your step brother there to authorize or something.

Answer 5

my friend that is the only option you have is to find them and here is why, weather you get the locksmith or the dealer to do this, the key has to be programed by the dealer, and either one is going to ask for proof of ownership under requirements from homeland security. If you have no proof its yours(or dads) neither one will do this for you. reason is they have to have the paperwork on file for the next 5 years and also it keeps just anyone from getting the VIN and making a key to steal a car. I use to work in the repo business and even then if i had a key made they not only had to see the Order of Repo, but also My drivers license also.



Good luck in hunting them down.



Well in the repo business we dont care who paid what for the car, we go by what is on the paperwork., so if your dad bought it from your bro for 20grand like you say and your brother never made the final payment.. GUESS WHAT?? the car is getting REPOED and your dad is out 20 grand. Paperwork is everything.

Answer 6

not sure about florida, but as a locksmith in california, i can tell you that the locksmith will ask you to show id, and sign a authorization form saying you have the authority to have the work done that you are asking for. check for the key in the most unlikely places-bathroom floor, near the trash cans, by the mailbox, etc.

Answer 7

I just had a locksmith make a key for my truck a couple of weeks ago. It was only 50$. They just look it up in the computer. He did ask to see the registration though. Otherwise, you will have to replace the ignition. Not a fun job. I wish you luck!

Answer 8

It's only $200? Pay up if you need them that bad. It could be worse. The key is in the clothes hamper. After you find it, you'll have a spare.

Answer 9

Locksmith; yes. Ebay; no. Won't cost $200.

Answer 10

you need that proof of ownership to get the key from the dealer, and it may have to be programmed AT the dealer which would mean you would have to tow it, though i'm not sure on that make and model

Answer 11

Call a locksmith and be done with it. And make sure to make a spare as well.

Answer 12

If you spend more time looking and less on the computer, you will find the key for free

Answer 13

Maybe your step-brother has spare key.



If he has it, take it and make duplicate. Or he can bring documents to key maker and make duplicate himself.



If he's unavailable, or unwilling to cooperate, or has no key, maybe local mechanic can do something, including contact lock change.

Answer 14

You must have the dealer tow it in to make another key.It needs to be matched to the computer.There is no other way.

Answer 15

idk BUT after you find them go to a walmart or something and get a copy or two made for next time. i know in michigan u can do that, so have ur dad be prepared next time. go help him look i guess is the only way i know how to help you find them

Answer 16

Dont lose your keys next time

Answer 17

BREAK THE WINDOW! >=[ or drive it into a wall, threaten it that u will pee in its hood unless it lets u back in, tell it u will run cats over i it lets u drive it ( jkjk everyone knows cats r for eating...)

Answer 18

. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ,.-‘”. . . . . . . . . .``~.,

. . . . . . . .. . . . . .,.-”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“-.,

. . . . .. . . . . . ..,/. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ”:,

. . . . . . . .. .,?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\,

. . . . . . . . . /. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,}

. . . . . . . . ./. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,:`^`.}

. . . . . . . ./. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,:”. . . ./

. . . . . . .?. . . __. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :`. . . ./

. . . . . . . /__.(. . .“~-,_. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,:`. . . .. ./

. . . . . . /(_. . ”~,_. . . ..“~,_. . . . . . . . . .,:`. . . . _/

. . . .. .{.._$;_. . .”=,_. . . .“-,_. . . ,.-~-,}, .~”; /. .. .}

. . .. . .((. . .*~_. . . .”=-._. . .“;,,./`. . /” . . . ./. .. ../

. . . .. . .\`~,. . ..“~.,. . . . . . . . . ..`. . .}. . . . . . ../

. . . . . .(. ..`=-,,. . . .`. . . . . . . . . . . ..(. . . ;_,,-”

. . . . . ../.`~,. . ..`-.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..\. . /\

. . . . . . \`~.*-,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..|,./.....\,__

,,_. . . . . }.>-._\. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .|. . . . . . ..`=~-,

. .. `=~-,_\_. . . `\,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\

. . . . . . . . . .`=~-,,.\,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . `:,, . . . . . . . . . . . . . `\. . . . . . ..__







im 13 too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 19

if you could do #1 then there's other transportation,everybody get together and look now!

Answer 20

If it's not your car you really have no business driving it.