Tesla Key Replacement

Imagine the horror and worry you would experience if, as you approached your Tesla vehicle, you realized you had lost your key card and had no method of entering.

Upon discovering your credit card has been stolen, your initial thoughts are likely centered on the necessary next steps.

What if someone else picked it up after you dropped it in a public area? Then what would you do? There is a chance that someone followed you back to your Tesla and is currently plotting to steal it.

Even the discovery of a Tesla key card could urge thieves to explore the region for further Tesla vehicles with the same key card and attempt to break into each one until they succeed.

This circumstance is not inevitable, but it is possible. That is unless you take the necessary steps, such as following the instructions to cancel the card and get a replacement.

Let’s look at the steps you should take before replacing your tesla car key.

Table of Contents

Phone Key for Tesla

Your first order of business should be to figure out whether or not your smartphone has a capability that is analogous to a key.

Certain models, like the Model 3 and the Model Y, allow you to use your phone in place of a key to lock and unlock them. If you can explain it to someone in the simplest words possible, they will be able to unlock their car as soon as they get close to it.

When a car detects that its passengers have left the vehicle and the setting for the Walk Away Door Lock has been engaged, the doors will automatically lock behind the leaving passengers. This occurs when the automobile recognizes that its passengers have left the vehicle.

You will need to have finished the initial configuration of the phone key in the past to set up a key card; this is a one-time operation that cannot be repeated. You will not be able to use the key card if you do not have this done.

Tracking Your Tesla Keys

Your next step should be to look for your keys and see if you can find them. Launching the Tesla app and navigating its many settings is another method for locating the keys.

How your smartphone connects with your Tesla key is analogous to how it converses with a smartwatch or another wearable gadget. If this does not work, you may want to consider changing it, which is described in further depth below.

Key Deactivation Using a Spare Tesla Key

You can deactivate your key card by using an alternative key to your Tesla that you keep in a purse or the glove compartment of your vehicle.

You’ll need to make the necessary adjustments to disable the missing card through the central touchscreen of your Tesla. Just make sure to keep this order in mind:

First click “Controls,” then click “Locks.”
Choose the key card you want to remove from the list. This includes key fobs and cell phones that you may occasionally use to unlock and start your Tesla.
After making your selection, click the trash can icon to complete the process.
When prompted by the system, scan the key card in the key reader’s spare slot.
This is a confirmation step to ensure that you are the one removing the data, like how you must enter your profile password in Windows whenever you make a significant change to the system.

Also read: Where is Tesla Cars Made | Where Does Tesla Build Its Cars?

How to Delete the Correct Card

The fact that the vehicle might be associated with more than one key card provides a challenge for some owners since it begs the issue of how they can be confident that they dispose of the appropriate key card when they want to sell or give away the vehicle.

If you remove the spare card but not the missing card, you will run into a serious issue since you won’t have an extra card left to delete the lost card.

This will prevent you from being able to delete the missing card. Because of this, you won’t be able to erase the missing card from your collection.

The keys are arranged in Tesla’s system according to the order in which they have been utilized most often. Since of this, if you used the key card for the spare key to enter the vehicle, that key will be shown at the top of the list because it was the key that had been used the least amount of times in the past.

It will be placed at the bottom of the list if you have a spare that has been kept but has not been used. Additionally, if you touch your card on the reader next to the cup holder, clearly highlight it on the screen to be absolutely certain.

The Dread of Key-Loss on the Road

The best choice when looking for help when traveling is to seek professional help. It would help if you began by calling the customer service number listed on the Tesla website. This should be your initial step.

The support team will also question your location to determine the distance between your current location and the closest Tesla Service Center.

If you are located too far away from a Tesla Service Center to drive there, it is recommended that you park your vehicle in a secure area until a support person can arrive at your location.

You should not even consider attempting to start the automobile on your own. Please be patient while we try to locate the appropriate individual to assist you.

Once you’ve disabled the lost key card, you can begin planning to obtain replacements. The following information will detail the procedure for both situations: when you have a spare card and lost all of your cards.

With a Tesla Spare Key

Even if you don’t have a spare key, you can still get replacement key cards from Tesla’s website by using the key from a known vehicle.

There is a minimum order requirement of one pair, and each pair costs $35. They can’t be bought separately from other products.

For $35, you can get a package that includes two key cards and a wallet to keep them in. Follow these instructions to set up your new key cards after they’ve arrived:

Navigate to the “Controls” menu, select “Locks,” and then press the large “+” sign located in the “Keys” section.
When you place your new key card on the reader, which is located on top of the center console, it will be recognized immediately, and you will then be able to remove it.
You will need to rename the key to recognize it in the list. To do this, select the “Edit” option next to “New Key Card.”

Without a Tesla Spare Key

If you do not have approved key replacements on hand in the event that you misplace your main set of keys, you may find things more difficult.

If you do not already hold any existing key cards linked to the vehicle, you will not be able to confirm or program a new card for the car.

Your best bet is first to go out and get some replacement key cards and then to call your neighborhood Tesla Service Center to make an appointment so that a staff member can help you program the new key cards.

If you do not already possess an authenticated spare, the only person who can assist you in programming new ones is a Tesla employee. This is because only Tesla employees have access to the necessary software.

You should prepare for the possibility of being asked to give proof of your identity, so carry the relevant papers with you just in case.

You can also schedule a mobile appointment with a trained expert who will go to your place to assist you with programming the new cards.

Programming cannot be done over the phone or online; it must be done in person. It is impossible to do either.

Check here: How to Clean a Tesla Electric Car’s LCD Touch Screen [ A Complete Guide]

Tips To Keep Your Keys Safe

Here are tips you can use to keep your Tesla keys safe.

Pin & Security

If you want to be sure your vehicle won’t start until you input a PIN, set one up before you lose your keys or cards. Even if a thief is successful in stealing one of your key cards, there is a possibility that they will only be able to open the car’s door; they will not be able to start the vehicle or drive it away.

This is the case even if the thief succeeds in taking all of your key cards. You will have some measure of protection and time to consider your alternatives as a result, at the very least.

Labeling

It is a good idea to put the card’s name on each card so you do not get confused about which card is which. As a result, you won’t have to be concerned about accidentally wiping important cards you need to keep in use, and you’ll always be able to tell which one is which.

Your name is not included on the Tesla key card, contrary to credit cards, which often feature your name anywhere on the card.

The only way to tell them apart is to add stickers, after which you will be able to match the proper label with each button on your touchscreen. Although they seem to be similar, you can differentiate between them. There are a variety of options available.

Always Keeping One Card at Your Residence

Next, a common mistake is keeping all their cards in the same wallet or bag. Imagine that you have two key cards, both of which are stored in your wallet, and that your wallet is stolen.

If this is the case, you will be forced to deal with the worst-case situation stated above, which entails borrowing phones and other goods, and you will also need to arrange appointments with Tesla to have your new replacements configured.

As a result, you should always keep a spare car in a secure location, whether in your house, a desk drawer at your place of employment, or somewhere else it will always be.

Additionally, ensure that your backup key card is validated and uploaded to the system as quickly as possible. You cannot use a card you own if it has neither been activated nor connected to anything else.

Also, read this: What is Camping Mode in a Tesla?

Remote S App

The “Remote S” app for iOS provides Apple Watch users with an additional option to consider a potential solution to a problem. Using this feature, you can control your Tesla car by using your watch. This will provide you with an extra layer of digital access if the power to your phone is cut off.

If you follow these rules, you should be able to avoid any complications that may arise if you lose one of your key cards when the appropriate time arrives. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t get too worked up!

Our Final Thoughts

It’s never fun when you lose a key! Regardless of whether it is a Tesla key or another type of key. Thankfully, Tesla has made a lot of accommodations for us as customers to help us get around this problem.

Technology can make life easier when utilizing Tesla keys regularly, but it also comes with challenges and problems if the keys are misplaced. We hope you find the information provided above helpful!