losing your car key was no big deal. You could simply call a locksmith, who would replace your lost key or make a duplicate and you were good to go.
However, with modern cars that require more advanced security systems, auto locksmiths need to be able to do much more. So, what are some of the most common car key emergencies and how can a locksmith help?
Lost Keys
It’s no surprise that the most common reason people call an auto locksmith is to get their car keys replaced. Getting locked out is a stressful situation, especially when you have important things inside the vehicle. But even if you don’t have anything of importance inside, it can be frustrating to lose your car key or accidentally lock it in the ignition. Thankfully, car locksmiths have the tools and equipment necessary to resolve this type of issue quickly and without damaging your car’s lock or ignition.
Lost car keys can happen at the most inconvenient times. If you are in a hurry or have other responsibilities, it’s easy to put your keys down somewhere and forget where they are. If you do, and you have no spare key, it can be an expensive adventure to replace your lost key. However, there are ways to prevent losing your car key in the first place. Keeping a spare on your keychain is a good idea, and it’s also helpful to use a Bluetooth key tracker, which will alert you on your phone if your keys are nearby.
Automotive locksmiths can make new car keys for a variety of vehicles. The most traditional type is the traditional “stick” key, which is just a metal key that fits into an ignition cylinder and turns to start your car. If you have a traditional stick key and lose it, an automotive locksmith can usually create a replacement for you on the spot.
Many modern cars have transponder keys, which are more like smart keys than traditional key fobs. They contain a small chip that communicates with the engine computer when you insert it into the ignition. If you lose your transponder key, it will be a more difficult experience to get back on the road as you will need to have the vehicle’s engine computer reprogram with a new code. This can be an extremely costly endeavor, but it is possible to get back on the road with a new transponder key made by an automotive locksmith.
Alternatively, you can try to contact your vehicle’s dealership to see if they can help. This method could be the most expensive, and it may take the longest as they won’t necessarily have the specialist key programming & diagnostic equipment an auto locksmith will carry with them.
Broken Keys
Getting your car keys stolen used to be pretty bad, but as vehicles have become more advanced and key fobs and remotes have been added, that type of theft isn’t as common as it once was. However, it’s still possible to lose your car keys and that means you need a quick solution. That’s where automotive locksmiths come in. They are trained to help with lock outs, key replacement and key fob programming and can often get you back in your vehicle faster than the average tow truck.
Most people know to look in their pockets or purse for lost keys, but you should also check any other places you regularly keep them like your house, work and gym bags. Then, you should also comb through the area within two feet of those items. Most of the time, your car keys are very close by and can be easily found when you’re looking in the right spot.
Other times, your car key may just break in a door or ignition lock due to general wear and tear or from being forcefully inserted into the wrong place. This can be a huge problem since you won’t be able to start your car without it. Fortunately, many auto locksmiths are equipped with special tools that can help break off the key in the lock or even cut it off completely.
In either case, the key will need to be programmed to work with your vehicle. An automotive locksmith can usually do this on the spot, although it will depend on what type of key you have (traditional or remote) and what make and model your car is. In some cases, you may have to bring your original key in so that the locksmith can program it. However, most cars nowadays have transponder keys that don’t need the traditional key to be inserted in order to unlock the doors and start the engine. This type of programming can be done with a special key reader and software and the process is usually fairly simple. However, the best way to avoid this is to always have a spare key made and keep it in a safe place.
Locked Out
One of the most common reasons people call automotive locksmiths is because they’ve locked themselves out of their cars. This is a fairly easy thing to do, and can be very frustrating. However, if you have the number of a 24-hour emergency locksmith on hand, they can provide quick assistance in this scenario.
If you’re worried about losing your car keys, it’s a good idea to carry around some spares. This way, you can easily access your car even if you do lose the originals. You can also consider getting a key chain with a digital tracker. This will allow you to locate your lost keys via an app on your phone.
When you’re locked out of your car, it’s important to stay calm and look for a safe place to wait for help. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially if you have children or vulnerable people locked in the car.
Trying to jockey a wire hanger or string into position in such a constricted space can be very dangerous. So, unless you know how to use one of these tools and you’re in a safe location, it’s best to wait for an emergency locksmith to arrive on the scene.
In most cases, an emergency locksmith can get you back into your car without damaging the lock cylinder or other parts of the vehicle. Depending on your type of key, the locksmith might need to remove the ignition key, replace the key or create a new car key.
If you have a traditional key, the locksmith will most likely be able to make you a new key on the spot. If your car uses a more advanced key, you might have to wait for the dealership to send one to you.
There’s nothing more frustrating than forgetting your car keys. They’re such a fundamental part of your day, so it’s important to be mindful of where you put them when you’re in the habit of reaching for them at all times. If you do lose your car keys, search carefully everywhere you’ve been. Be sure to check all the pockets of your clothes and any bags you’ve used throughout the day.
Ignition Repair
Not too long ago misplacing or losing your car keys wasn’t much of a problem. You could simply get a duplicate key made by your local locksmith or even the auto dealership and you’d be on your way in no time. Things have changed a lot over the years, though. Cars have become more technologically advanced and this means that their keys and locks have gotten more complex. It also means that they can be more expensive to repair or replace if something goes wrong.
Many people are tempted to try and fix a car lock or key themselves, but this can often be risky. If you don’t have the right tools or know-how, you may end up causing more damage or making the problem worse. This is why it’s always best to call an expert.
An automotive locksmith has all the necessary equipment and expertise to deal with a variety of car key-related emergencies. They can extract a broken key from the ignition, replace damaged or worn out locks and cylinders and even replace an entire ignition system.
One of the most common reasons people contact a locksmith is to have their transponder key programmed. These are special keys that have a small chip in them that communicates with the vehicle’s ignition. They can be duplicated at the dealership or by a locksmith, but they are more difficult to program. This is because the key has to go through a special sequence of motions to “read” the code and send a signal to start the engine.
An automotive locksmith can usually reprogram a transponder key on the spot, meaning that they can get you back into your car in no time. They can also make you a new replacement key fob, if you’ve lost yours, for a more reasonable price than the dealership will charge. In fact, a growing number of locksmiths now offer this service. This is a great option for people who don’t want to take the chance of losing their spare key or having it stolen, or for those who have a habit of leaving their keys in the ignition when they park.