Lost Key

[FredPuli43]

Have a Skoda Octavia. Cannot find the keys for it; think they must have dropped in a field on the farm. Car is not locked. Ironically the Skoda dealer has a new key, ordered earlier, but it is not programmed to the car.

What problems does this present? Can't steer the car and the immobiliser is standard and will be on.

[bednobs]

well, i would have thought the most obvious problem is that you won't be able to drive the car to go and pick up the new key :)
Poor you. Same happened to us, but there were also door keys, garage keys on the ring. We got them all changed, then found the bunch about a week later :(

[douglas9401]

I know some cars and keys pair to each other through a series of on/off movements of the key in the ignition and corresponding LED flashes and others need programming at the dealer.
If it's the latter then it'll be a trailer you need unless you're a member of the AA/RAC who, depending on membership level may drag you to the garage.

[Baldric]

///may drag you to the garage.///

Good trick if you can do it with the steering lock on!
;-)

[tonyav]

New key will have to be programmed into the car, Fred.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTfudTFJEMY

[jake-the-peg]

Why can you not steer the car? I'd have expected the unprogrammed key to be able to release the steering lock.

Without the engine you won't have any brakes but it'll likely to be hard to recover without steering.

Anyway you need an autolocksmith they should be able to come out to you and program a key.

Look some up near to you on line and give them a call and see if they can do the job

[jake-the-peg]

example

http://www.autolocksmithstockport.co.uk/cars/skoda

[douglas9401]

Ah Baldric, you've no seen these newfangled hydraulic lifts that are available then? Roll the front wheels on to the two frames, tie the car on, handbrake off, lift and away.
They don't salute the badge any more either. :)

[FredPuli43]

Thanks all. Have found an auto locksmith who will come out. I told Skoda and they said the car wouldn't start if he did it; he says that's rubbish and dealers always say that. We'll see !

[tonyav]

Should be ok Fred, he should have the software to programme the new key.

[Graham-W]

It may be worth trying this:

Remote Control Programming (1997 ON)
Procedure
1. Switch Ignition ON and leave the key in the ignition.

2. Mechanically lock the vehicle using the Drivers door using a second
key or locking manually by pressing lock button in the door.

3. Using the remote control press the Unlock button once, and the horn
will sound once.

4. Wait 6 seconds and press the unlock button once to activate the coding
procedure. The remote control will now be programmed.

[Hopkirk]

Can't you just use the spare key?

[FredPuli43]

Hopkirk, you don't know me ! Where is the spare, always assuming that a new Skoda, now 3 years old, has one provided ? I guessed that it may have had. If it does, I can't find that.

[Hopkirk]

Oh it would have had two keys provided.

Perhaps the other one is on the other half's key ring, in the drop file with all the car documents, hanging up on those hooks under the stairs or in the kitchen drawer.

[CokeTulip]

Oh Fred.. I think this guy will sort it for you (fingers crossed).

I've been there though and its no fun. There will be a way around it.

(You haven't got a metal detector have you? or anyone with one who might just backtrack with you + have a good look in the house).

Hope it all goes well x

[FredPuli43]

Coke Tulip, I am fully prepared for the key to turn up the day after the man has left, though I've now spent two days looking for it; life is like that sometimes. I do have a metal detectorist who visits the farm; he found an Anglo Saxon burial site last year. I fear that he'd spend most of the time finding dog food tins that the dogs have run off with, and assorted bits of farm ironmogery. Still, if it does turn up, at least I'll have a spare!

[Buenchico]

Asking a friend with a metal detector to look for something you've lost in a field sounds like a good idea to me, Fred ;-)
http://www.omg-facts.com/History/Searching-For-His-Lost-Hammer-A-Man-Foun/57777

[FredPuli43]

Update. Said so.I found the key about an hour after booking the auto locksmith. But I had him come anyway

[tonyav]

So you now have two spare keys then, Fred.

[FredPuli43]

Exactly. The original was found hidden in a pile of ash in the fireplace when I got around to clearing it for a new fire. I suppose it dropped when I was doing something around there, such as putting something on the mantelpiece, and it got concealed by the ash closing around it..things are always found in the last place you look, aren't they?!

[tonyav]

Or the last place you'd think of looking, Fred !.