What to Do When a Transponder Key Is Lost
No matter how cautious we try to be, there is always a chance that a key will get lost. When the key in question is a transponder car key, you may feel at a loss at how to go about replacing it.
In this situation, we find that Johns Creek, GA, locals may feel compelled to spend an unnecessary amount of money getting a new key from a car dealer. But you know what? That's hardly ever necessary - if anything, going back to the dealer should be your very last resort.
So what can you when a transponder key is lost? That's what we shall shed some light unto today.
You will find that locksmiths who specialize in automotive services will be able to help you for a lot cheaper, and are likely to deliver these at a faster turnaround time than your car's manufacturer would. Johns Creek 24/7 Locksmith is a locally-based business who can effortlessly deliver that for their customers.
But before we get into the type of services you can get from your local locksmith, we will go through the basic facts that you need to know about replacing a misplaced transponder key.
Understanding what it takes to create a new transponder key
Automotive technologies continue to be fine-tuned and melded to fit with the ever-changing demands of security and protection. We expect Johns Creek, GA, car owners (and those all across the country) will already know that the newer keys serve as quite a good deterrent for automotive break-ins.
Transponder keys are especially designed to restrict access to a vehicle. These have computer chips built into their plastic heads, which transmit information back to your car upon activation. Essentially, what this means is that your car will not start unless your key's transponder chip sends back a proper response.
It also means that keys can be very difficult to replicate without the proper equipment. Replacing a transponder key actually involves two essential components:
1. Cutting a key blade to the right configuration (as is the norm for all types of keys)
2. Programming your transponder chip (which is where things get trickier)
If it's so complicated, how can my key be replaced?
That is where experts like ourselves provide an invaluable service.
Locksmiths will have the all of the equipment and know-how that is needed to replace your lost transponder key. And like we said, rates for auto locksmith assistance will be well-below what you would pay if you went directly to your automotive dealer.
There are two different ways in which locksmiths can help. Firstly, they can cut a new key for you using your vehicle's chassis number. This number can usually be found in your car's registration documents. Keep in mind too that some locksmiths may request additional ID information from you, to verify that you are the genuine owner of the vehicle - so keep as much information handy as is possible to make the process run along smoothly.
Now, programming the transponder chip will depend on the information you are able to provide to your locksmith. The easiest way for your auto locksmith to reprogram a key will be by using a chip code. Usually this is found in a code card supplied by your car manufacturer when your vehicle is brand new.
If you no longer have this code on you for whatever reason (whether you misplaced it, or threw it away by mistake), reprogramming will take a few extra steps. But don't worry, it is still very much doable. In this scenario, your auto locksmith will need to reprogram the car's ECU unit, or even reprogram the transponder receiver itself. Once this additional step has been completed, your key will be programmed as normal.
Choosing the right locksmith for the job
In your pursuit of a transponder key replacement, you may find yourself wondering about how to find a locksmith that you know you can trust. After all, how can you really know that the professional at hand is able to deliver what you are looking for?
There are some basic things to look out for when choosing which locksmith business to hire.
We recommend that you check whether the locksmith you are entrusting your keys with specializes in automotive lock and key services and is a locally-based professional. Remember, different locksmith businesses may work with specific types of properties - residential, commercial and so forth - or they may provide a full set of services. For your reference, Johns Creek 24/7 Locksmith fits in the latter category.
Why locally-based? Because locksmiths from outside Johns Creek, GA, are likely to charge more for traveling to your location. What's more, they may take longer to arrive to help - meaning you will be waiting to re-access your car for a lot longer than you initially bargained for. A local professional, on the other hand, is likely to be able to get to you promptly and may even offer 24/7 assistance for emergencies too.
When contacting your locksmith, make sure to inquire about their license and insurance information. A credible locksmith service will gladly provide you with all these credentials, and will even be at your disposal to fully consult with you about their services too. Also request a full cost breakdown of services so you know exactly what they are going to charge you for.
All of the personnel working at Johns Creek 24/7 Locksmith are licensed, insured, and have extensive experience servicing all kinds of vehicles. As is expected, we have all the equipment needed to effortlessly reprogram your keys for you, and we offer competitively priced automotive lock and key solutions for all needs and specifications. If you would like to know more about our transponder key replacements, you can get in touch with Johns Creek, GA, based experts at any time of the day - in fact, this is a business that stays true to their name by providing all locals with 24/7 assistance for all of their lock and key woes. Consultations are free, too. These things are often the case with most professional locksmiths.
A local locksmith will make replacing your transponder key effortless. Look for a licensed and insured professional in your area and make the most of the expert services that they will provide.