Motorists across the UK have been advised to check one of their car's most important components regularly in order to prevent a huge repair bill. Spring is usually seen as the perfect time of the year for drivers to clean and fix any blemishes on their car, particularly with more drivers taking longer road trips and leisure journeys. However, when sorting out their car, George Stoica from Car Keys Solutions, urged motorists to take care of their keys, highlighting the cost of a replacement.
He said: "The cost of replacing a lost key is rarely just the key itself. It’s the disruption, the delay, and the inconvenience - especially when you’re far from home. Taking five minutes to check your keys before heading out can save you hundreds later."
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In particular, Car Keys Solutions recommended that motorists avoid leaving their key fob in direct sunlight - particularly on the dashboard or seat - whilst they are working on their vehicle or driving along.
This is because bright sunlight can cause these parts of the vehicle to heat up quickly, resulting in the sensitive electronic components found within a modern key fob to get damaged.
If a car key is left in an area exposed to sunlight, drivers could find that the battery wears down at a much faster rate - making it significantly more difficult to get into their car and start the engine.
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With many families set to travel during the long Easter weekend, George also recommended that drivers always take measures to prevent misplacing their keys.
He added: "As people spend more time outdoors, keys are often left on tables, in picnic baskets or coats that aren’t worn home. This is one of the top reasons drivers report lost keys during spring months.
"Soft ground, long grass, or sand make it easy for keys to go missing during outdoor activities - especially when switching jackets or using smaller spring/summer bags."
Despite being particularly small, a modern car key can be an expensive component to replace - particularly if the model features keyless entry.
According to Car Keys Solutions, the typical cost of a replacement key fob can vary from between £180 to more than £400, depending on the type of car.
The company also warned that the time required to cut and program a new car key could also surprise drivers, often requiring them to wait for several hours before they can regain entry into their vehicle.
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