Not too long ago, losing your Car Key Replacement wasn’t a big deal. You could have easily had a duplicate made at your hardware store or a locksmith.
These days, it’s important to always have a spare key and keep it somewhere safe. It’s also a good idea to get the key fob replaced, especially if it looks worn out.
Lost or Damaged Keys
If you’ve lost your car keys, the first thing you should do is call roadside assistance or a locksmith. Depending on the type of key you have, they can come to your location and make a replacement for you. It’s also worth assessing whether or not you have a warranty that covers key loss.
Most cars sold in the US today have a transponder key, but if yours isn’t, you may need to go to the dealership to get a new one. This will cost more, but it will give you peace of mind that your key is safe.
Older vehicles with traditional keys will usually be easy for an auto locksmith to replace. This is because these kinds of keys don’t need to be programmed. However, if you have a smart key or fob that activates the car’s push-button start system, this will need to be done by the dealership. You can avoid this by purchasing car insurance that includes breakdown rescue, which will cover a replacement if you lose your key.
Transponder Keys
If you own a modern car, it is likely to have a transponder chip that prevents someone else from starting your vehicle with the wrong key. Transponder keys (also known as ‘chip keys’) also help reduce the likelihood of your car being stolen.
While a transponder key may seem difficult to steal, criminals are always looking for ways around security measures and have developed techniques for bypassing transponders. Regardless, keeping a spare transponder key in your home is a good idea to minimize the chance of theft.
If you do lose your key, it’s important to contact a locksmith immediately. A competent locksmith will have the equipment needed to cut and program your new car key. In many cases, this will be a much cheaper option than visiting a dealer.
Traditional Metal Keys
There are still a number of cars on the road that use traditional metal keys. These have no encoding or programming, and are simply pieces of cut metal that fit in a lock. These are usually found on older cars, but can be used to replace a lost key in some cases.
In the 1970s, car manufacturers began to add extra security features to their cars, including sidewinder keys. These added unique winding cuts to both sides of the key blade, making it more difficult for people to duplicate them.
Despite the fact that they have been around since the days of the Pharaohs, traditional keys are starting to feel like a relic of the past. With smart high-tech locks becoming increasingly popular, is it only a matter of time before they become obsolete? The answer to that question may surprise you.
Dealerships
As a car owner, you likely know that losing your keys is never fun. Unfortunately, it happens to countless people every day. Many people will automatically assume that they need to go to the dealership in order to get their key replaced. However, that is not always the case.
Dealerships are not experts in car keys, and they are often unable to make the same type of replacement that locksmiths can. In addition, they are often more expensive than a locksmith.
Instead of getting your key replaced at the dealership, contact your local Pop-A-Lock and have one of our trained technicians come to you for fast, accurate car key duplication. Our skilled technicians are able to duplicate 99% of all car keys on the market.