Locking your car keys in the car today is a somewhat different situation than it was 20 or 30 years ago. Car manufacturers have made cars harder to get into, and new technologies like transponder keys have made them much more difficult to steal. It’s not a good idea to try to use a wire (like from a straightened coat hanger) or a Slim Jim to unlock your car, because lock mechanisms have changed in recent years, and if you’re not careful, you can detach the lock rods and render your locks unworkable even with a key.
If your car uses transponder keys, you rarely have to rely on the automobile dealer to replace them or reprogram a new set, although some car makers will tell you that you have to contact the dealer. Today’s licensed automotive locksmiths have the proper software to program new transponder keys for almost all makes and models of cars.
Say you have a set of Ford transponder keys. When you turn the key in the ignition, a computer in your Ford sends a radio signal to the transponder circuit. The circuit’s computer chip is programmed to send a special, coded signal to the computer. If the code is wrong, or if the circuit doesn’t respond, you can’t start the car. With transponder keys, forcing the ignition will not start the car, making cars keyed this way more difficult to steal.
If you lose your transponder keys, you can call an automotive locksmith who deals with modern car key replacement services. The locksmith uses a transponder blank, which hasn’t been programmed. It can take half an hour or so for the key transponder to communicate properly with the car’s system, resetting the electronics. You definitely want to have the number on hand of an automotive locksmith experienced in programming transponder keys if you need transponder car key replacement.
Ideally, you should have three properly programmed transponder keys so if you lose one, you can use another. That’s not much help, however, if you cannot get to your extras or find someone to get them for you. That’s why, before you ever need a locksmith, you should do some research and find a trustworthy, licensed locksmith and have their phone number programmed into your phone. You will feel far more secure dealing with lost car keys if you do not have to worry about finding a locksmith, or selecting one without enough information about their qualifications and customer satisfaction.
You can call a locksmith to ask questions about response times and typical charges for your type of car, and you can ask people whose opinions you trust for recommendations. A good word-of-mouth recommendation means a lot in a world where there are, unfortunately, a small minority of locksmiths intent on cheating people. Like having a good mechanic or plumber, having the contact information for a good automotive locksmith can give you much greater peace of mind on your outings.
Choosing a reliable person to keep one of your duplicate transponder keys, or to swap extra keys with is a good idea, too. It won’t guarantee you’ll never need a locksmith, but it’s a good extra security measure.
How to Choose Modern Car key replacement Services
1. Choose Established and Reputable Firms
As with any product of service, you should ensure that that the locksmith company you are buying from has been established for a good number of years and has developed a reputation for providing a high-quality service to its customers. Whilst some less well-known firms may offer cheap prices, which can be appealing, they may also offer a poorer service. When it comes to modern car key replacement, you simply cannot afford to skimp, so ensure you carry out a good amount of research in order to choose a leading vehicle locksmith. Because there are so many companies offering the service, it is vital that you carry out enough research to make an informed decision about which company to use.
2. Make Use of Online Reviews
You may well be wondering how you can establish which modern car key replacement company is reputable and which is likely to provide a value for money, high-quality service. The answer is simple – online reviews and customer feedback. You will find that these days, customers are not shy in telling the world about their experiences with a particular company or organization, especially if those experiences were not good. If a company has become renowned for providing below-poor services to its customers, you will be able to find out by perusing a range of online reviews. In addition, word of mouth can be a very powerful tool, so why not ask friends and acquaintances whether they have ever used a car key programming company and if they could recommend a firm. If you use a firm that has been recommended to you by somebody that you trust, you are likely to feel more comfortable using their services.