5 Tips For Maintaining Your Car Keys & Extending Their Lifespan

Car keys are essential but often overlooked parts of vehicle ownership. From modern fobs to traditional metal keys, taking care of them can prevent issues and save you the hassle of needing a car key replacement. Here are five practical tips to keep your car keys in top condition and ensure they last for years.

Exposure to moisture and dirt can damage car keys over time, particularly electronic fobs. Water and grime can seep into the buttons or internal circuitry, causing malfunctions. If you drop your keys in water or they come into contact with dust or debris, wipe them down immediately with a soft, dry cloth. For deeper cleaning, use a cotton swab to clean around the buttons gently.

In humid or wet conditions, keeping your keys in a waterproof pouch or case can protect them from moisture. These preventive measures can help extend the life of your keys, ensuring they stay functional when you need them most.

Dropping your keys repeatedly or using them as a tool (such as a box cutter or bottle opener) can weaken their structure and even cause internal components to shift or break. Key fobs are especially vulnerable, as they contain delicate electronic parts that can loosen or crack upon impact. Avoid tossing your keys onto hard surfaces, and never use them for unintended purposes.

Mishandling can lead to an unexpected need for a car key replacement, so treating your keys with care is essential to keeping them functional and prolonging their lifespan.

For electronic car keys, battery health is crucial to proper operation. A low battery can make it harder for the key fob to communicate with your vehicle, resulting in unreliable performance or even leaving you stranded. If you notice that you have to press buttons multiple times or hold the fob closer to your car, it’s a sign the battery may need replacing.

Most key fob batteries are easy to replace at home with a small screwdriver and a fresh battery, but you can also seek help from an automotive locksmith if needed. Checking and replacing the battery once a year can keep your car key in optimal working order.

Extreme temperatures can affect both traditional keys and electronic fobs. Excessive heat can cause the plastic and rubber components to warp or crack, while extremely cold temperatures may drain the battery faster and make buttons less responsive.

To protect your keys from temperature extremes, avoid leaving them in direct sunlight, on a hot dashboard, or exposed to freezing weather. Store your keys in a safe place, like a pocket or bag, rather than exposed surfaces to prevent temperature-related wear and tear.

Having a spare key is a smart investment, as it can help prevent wear on your primary key by sharing the load. Using the same key every day can cause wear to its internal mechanisms and buttons over time, especially with electronic fobs. Alternating between keys gives each one a break and reduces the chances of complete failure.

If you lose or damage your main key, having a spare ensures you won’t be stranded. If you need assistance creating or programming a spare key, an automotive locksmith can help you set one up quickly and affordably.

If you need a car key replacement or assistance with any automotive locksmith services, contact a professional automotive locksmith near you for reliable help.

At Coast 2 Coast Locksmiths, we provide comprehensive automotive locksmith solutions, from key replacements to programming spare fobs. Visit our website to learn more about how we can help keep your car keys functioning at their best.