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Today’s challenge: Losing your car keys is a lot more complicated than it used to be back in the day. Before computer chip keys, you could always have a spare key made at any locksmith or hardware store, or at your dealership. A standard car key, with its distinctive grooves and cuts, used to be like a house key, easy to duplicate for very little money.
The drawback of a traditional key, of course, was that because it was so easy to copy, it was also relatively simple for a car thief to steal your vehicle. Because of today’s transponder key technology, automobiles are much more difficult to boost. Although it costs a great deal more, a transponder key is certainly worth the peace of mind it gives you.
What type of transponder key did you lose? Inside a transponder key's plastic head is a transponder chip, which emits a specific signal, which goes to a receiver in your car’s computer, instructing it to start. The main difference between a regular key and a transponder key is that the chip inside the transponder key must be uniquely programmed. For most vehicles today, an electronic key fob (also called a remote) is an important component of your key set. It's vital to safeguard your transponder key at all times, because, depending on the automaker and the complexity level of its design, replacing your electronic fob can be expensive. First, the fob must be programmed correctly. Some dealerships will do this for free, but most will charge a lot.
For some cars, the transponder key and the fob are all one unit. Also known as a laser-cut key, the shank is slightly thicker, and has a fewer number of carved-out grooves. Laser-cut keys are also sometimes called sidewinder keys, because of the winding-shaped cut on the shank. The laser-cut key’s transponder chip needs to be programmed. It’s more difficult to get a spare key made anywhere except at your dealership. Again, even though it’s more expensive, it does keep your car much more secure.
A smart key is actually not a key at all, in the usual sense of the word. This key is really just a fob. You either insert in the dashboard, or you keep it on your belt buckle, or in your pocket or purse. As you sit in the driver’s seat, you can turn your car on and off by pressing a button. A smart key is extraordinarily secure, because it has rolling security codes. That means that it’s continuously randomizing the correct code, which is a remarkable feature that prevents a potential car thief from hacking it with a code grabber. Your dealership will be able to replace your smart key.
A switchblade key is another sort of transponder key with a transponder chip inside. A switchblade key has a shank, which folds into the fob when not in use. Press a button, and it pops out. This kind of key has either a laser cut or a standard cut. One advantage of the switchblade key is that you can purchase its parts separately. If you’ve definitely lost your key, obviously it will be necessary to get both components programmed.
DIY: One relatively low-cost measure you can take to gain access to your vehicle is that you can order the basic key, without the transmitter. This regular key will open the car doors and trunk, but it won’t start the engine. It will at least come in handy if you ever lock your car keys inside the automobile.
There’s also the element of programming, for remote locking and unlocking. This feature is typically viewed as a luxury, since it’s not needed for gaining entry and driving your vehicle; but you can program this part yourself, or you can hire a professional automotive locksmith specialist to do it for you.
Always keep a spare key. Are you someone who often loses your car keys? Do you frequently argue with your teenager or spouse about who’s lost the keys this time? Before you lose the keys again, save money on your transponder key programming by making a third spare key now. If you already have two keys, many makes and models will permit you to program a third key by yourself. You can ask an expert automotive locksmith to cut the third key for you, and then you can follow the instructions in your owner's manual to program it on your own.
The following 3 steps will work on many American-made cars. But before shelling out the money though, check with your dealership or with a reliable locksmith to see if it will work with your vehicle.
1 First, insert one of the two working keys, and turn the ignition to the "on" position for at least 3 seconds (without starting up the car).
2 Second, do the same with the 2nd key.
3 Third, insert your new 3rd key, and turn it to the "on" position for 3 seconds. This will program your extra key.
Don’t ever lose your transponder key again! No matter how you look at it, a transponder key isn’t cheap. Therefore, prepare yourself beforehand. Do you presently have just one set of car keys? It’s much better to have a backup spare key made now, than to stress about it (and to spend a lot more money) later, so don’t tempt fate!
Wherever and how ever you decide to program your transponder key, you’ll need:
If you can’t locate that code, there are still some automotive locksmith specialists who can do the necessary reprogramming to get you back on the road. When you hire a trustworthy professional, it will typically be at a lower cost than what your dealership will charge.
