How to Find Car Key Repairs Near Me
Repairing your car's key is among the best ways to keep your vehicle secure. However, many people don't know how to choose the right service provider.
Keys from the past that allow cars to start are easy and inexpensive to replace however modern keys require specialized equipment to program them to a specific car. This can be costly and difficult process.
Lost Keys
In the past, losing your car key was not a major issue. In the past, you could call roadside assistance or a local locksmith. Then you'd get a new key, program it and have your issue solved. As cars have become more advanced in technology it's no longer as simple to lose a car keys as it once was. The process of replacing the lost car key is costly.
First of all, make sure you have a spare key available. This will save you from having to incur the expense of having a professional locksmith cut you a new key. You can also avoid calling roadside assistance, which can be costly.
If you don't have an extra key, check the pockets of your clothing (including those of the pants or jacket you were wearing when you lost the keys). Examine all the places where you normally keep them, like in your shoes or the bag you carry for your gym workouts. Also, check places you might not think of checking like under the seat and on the floor.
You can also distribute flyers around your area asking if anyone has located your car keys. This can help you find an answer or at the very least ensure that your car keys were not stolen. You can also put up an ad for lost and found for your vehicle on a site like Craigslist.
The cost of replacing a car key depends on the kind of car you own and the kind of key you've lost. The standard car key is the cheapest to replace. You can find a replacement at AutoZone, from locksmiths, or even your dealer for only $25.
The more complicated transponder keys, also known as smart keys, however are extremely costly. They require a technician to restore the key's cuts first before taking the key apart and match its transponder chip with your car. The cost of replacing a car key with its electronic components can be as high as $2,000 or more.
Broken Keys
It can be a huge problem when your car keys breaks in the lock. There are, however, a few ways that you can try to salvage your broken car key before calling a locksmith for assistance.
Spray lubricant into the keyhole to lessen friction. This will make it easier to take out broken pieces. You can also use a thin wire to grasp the protruding piece so that you can pull it. You can also use needle nose pliers to extract broken pieces of key. It is essential to use these tools so that you don't push the broken piece of key further into the lock.
company website is another popular trick. It is used to fix the key's end to stick out of the lock. This is not the best solution for the average user as it can be messy and ineffective. The glue may get into all the crevices and crannies of the lock making it difficult to get rid of the broken piece.
In the majority of cases, you will need to contact a locksmith to replace a broken key. It is important to keep both pieces of the key though, as they will help the locksmith better understand how to make a replacement. It's also less expensive to let the locksmith create a brand new key without the original key, particularly if you own an older vehicle that doesn't require a chip.
It is also important to note that If your key fob has been damaged, you'll need to get it replaced as well. It could be due to physical damage or a malfunctioning internal component. It can also happen following regular use or battery replacement. It will cost more than buying a brand new car key that doesn't have the key fob, but it's still a viable alternative if you're unable to afford the new key right away. However, you will have to prove that you are the owner of the vehicle before the locksmith can make you a new fob.
Lockouts
A car lockout is a frequent issue that can occur to anyone. Being locked out of your vehicle can be a nightmare and a hassle, especially when it happens in the middle of the day or while trying to travel somewhere important. There are several steps that you can take to avoid a car lockout from happening again and recover from the situation.
Lost Keys
Being locked out of your vehicle due to misplacing your keys is the primary reason why people are locked out of their cars. Preventative measures such as keeping your keys to your car in the same place and setting an alarm that reminds you to carry your keys with you when you leave your vehicle can reduce the chance of this happening.
Dead Batteries
In most situations, a simple solution such as replacing the batteries in the key fob of your car will solve the issue. Be sure to inspect your key fob for signs of wear and tear and replace the battery quickly when needed.
Broken Ignition Cylinder
Over time the ignition cylinder of your vehicle can wear out and become difficult to get rid of. This is typically due to an object getting stuck in the ignition. This can be avoided by regularly inspecting the car for signs and fixing any issues that arise.
Burglars Tampering
Burglars often manipulate your locks to gain access to your vehicle and take the contents. Over time, this can cause the locks to degrade and cause a loss of functionality. It is possible to determine this by performing an easy test, such as inserting the key into a different mechanism than the ignition.
If you have an extra key near by, a neighbor or family member can easily find it and unlock the door. This is usually faster than calling roadside assistance and it's also less costly. If you don't have an extra key, try not to employ DIY techniques which could harm your lock mechanism, like using a slim jim (which is effective in skilled hands but can cause additional problems if not used correctly). A roadside assistance program will provide you with peace of mind, and can save you money by not having to call for professional help.
Door Locks
Sometimes, the locks on your door may become a bit sticky. This happens due to a variety of causes, including weather changes and changes in the dimensions of the door frame. The lock tumblers on the key may become clogged and not turn correctly. A little lubrication can help when this is the cause. Cover your key with graphite powder or a spray, then insert it into the keyhole of the lock. The graphite will lubricate the tumblers and allow them rotate correctly. This easy, quick fix is often enough to fix the issue.
In some instances the issue could be caused by an issue with the alignment of the lock cylinder. To fix this, first loosen the screws that secure the cylinder slightly--don't remove them entirely. With the help of a screwdriver and a tiny adjustment, align the keyhole of the door to the keyway of the cylinder. After repositioning the cylinder, tighten all screws.
If your lock cylinder is still stuck or isn't responding to lubrication, you may require replacing it. It's not as complicated as you think. You'll require a kit for rekeying that matches the lock. The rekeying kit will usually contain various tools, and an assortment of different-sized pins that you'll need to remove from the cylinder. Then, replace the pins with new ones with the same length, to align the lock's keyway.
Key fobs require a bit more work, as they must be disassembled. However, the majority of manufacturers have made it easy to disassemble the device without damaging it as a result, and you can repair or replace the key fob yourself by following the directions in the manual. Be aware that the battery in the key fob may end up dying in time, or may experience water damage that could affect its functionality. In these cases you should call your insurance company for roadside assistance. You may be able to have someone sent to retrieve your key fob at the cost of service provider.