How To Find A Lost Mercedes Benz Key!

The invention of the key fob in 1980 has helped to get in and out of your car greatly, but as we have advanced to a point where the fob itself is the key, it has come with some negatives. If you happen to lose your Mercedes key fob, then you can’t get into the car, start it, or really do anything with the car at all.

How can I locate a lost Mercedes Benz key?

The only way to find a key fob is if after looking, it is found or if a tracker is placed on it. Besides that, if the key can’t be found, then go into a nearby Mercedes dealership with both some kind of ID and VIN to get a new key fob.

Luckily there are multiple different types of key fobs that Mercedes uses, so depending on which fob you have, you might be more fortunate and not have to worry as much. Along with that, there are a few different ways to track your key fobs so that you won’t have to worry about losing your keys again. And lastly, I will cover how you can get a new key fob if finding your old one is impossible.

Key Fob Uses

When key fobs were originally invented in 1980, it was simply to just unlock and lock your car’s doors, however, in recent years key fobs have become more powerful and important. This is because a key fob now acts as a keyless entry fob, as a spare key, as the car’s transponder, and also as a remote control.

While this means that you don’t need to have the car keys, fob, and more, it also means that when you lose your key you can’t enter, start, or drive your car as the fob is required to do all of these.

Types of Mercedes Keys

There are three main types of key fobs that Mercedes has been using in recent years.

The first type of key is the transponder key which has an RFID chip that will be specifically coded to your car. This means that your car will be incapable of starting without the fob in the car. Even if you happen to have a spare key that fits, the car will remain off without the fob in the car. Typically, if there’s a black plastic casing around the head of the key, the chances are that it contains a transponder.

The second type is a smart key that has a transponder and a transmitter. Its plastic buttons allow a driver to lock, unlock, and start the car remotely. And just like the transponder key, you can’t start the car without the fob close enough to or in the car. That means it will need to be programmed into your car so they’ll be able to communicate.

The last type of key is a chrome key which represents Mercedes-Benz’s newest incarnation of keys, even though some don’t actually contain a metal key you insert into an ignition. The chrome keys allow for remote start and locking/unlocking and provide a push-button start for your car. Again, these features require that a replacement key be programmed for your car.

Can You Track the Key Fobs

Unfortunately, as of when this was written, the Mercedes key fob has no built-in method of tracking. So if you never added your own tracker then you will have to find it on your own. But luckily, there are several different options for tracking your key fob to prevent losing it.

There are 3 main brands that you will want to go with when it comes to getting a location tracking tag.

• Tile Tag. The tile tags are one of the only tags that work great with just about any smartphone. It has a simple but slightly larger thin style and is great due to positive features like a large range, loud alarm, easy-to-replace batteries, and long-lasting batteries. However, it is slightly more expensive than other trackers, and many find the long slim look to be very plain.
• Samsung Galaxy SmartTag. With a 200-foot range, a Galaxy is a great option for a tracking tag. Along with its long-range, other great features are its great battery life and the much smaller design to make it more comfortable wherever you may be storing it. The downside is only those with Samsung phones are able to use this tag.
• Apple AirTag. With the smallest and sleekest design, the AirTag is another great tracker that is limited to just Apple users. It is the easiest of all the tags to set up and is able to give you the most precise location out of the three, however, also has the worst privacy features of the three.

Process to Get New Keys

Vehicle Identification Number

The first thing that you will need in order to prove that you are the owner of the car you are requesting a new key for is the vehicle’s identification number. The most common location for a vehicle’s VIN is on the lower-left corner of the dashboard, in front of the steering wheel, near where the dashboard meets the edge of the windshield on the driver’s side. Typically, the number is affixed to a metal plate.

Along with the VIN, you are also going to need to bring some kind of identification, and on occasion, you might even need two IDs. The easiest will be a driver’s license. However, a passport is another great option. Other options for ID include a birth certificate, a state-issued identification card, a student identification card, social security card, or a military identification card. Once you have this, you’re ready to go to the dealer or locksmith to get a new key made.

What Happens to Old Keys

When you get new keys they will reprogram a new set of keys and in order to prevent someone who might have taken the old keys from getting into your car, they shut off the old keys. This means that even if you manage to find your old keys after you have gotten new ones, you won’t be able to use them.

Cost

Typically a new set of keys will cost you anywhere from $250 all the way up to $700 as they both have to print and get all the materials as well as reprogram both your new and old keys. On average though, you can expect it to cost about $350.