HAVE YOU LOST YOUR TRANSPONDER KEY? DON’T WORRY. HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO!

Back in the day, if you lost your car key, you’d have an extra key that you would have had duplicated at your local hardware store, locksmith, or dealership. But nowadays, losing your keys is much more problematic than it used to be back in the nineties ~ in other words, before there were computer chips. A conventional car key, with its distinctive cuts and grooves, was just like a home key, so you could get it copied inexpensively and easily.

Obviously, the disadvantage to a traditional car key in the old days was that, because it wasn’t hard to copy, it was also nearly effortless for a car thief to steal your vehicle. Cars are much more difficult to steal today because of advances in transponder key technology. A transponder key, although it’s more costly, is undeniably worth the peace of mind it gives you.

But what should you do if you lose your transponder key?

What sort of transponder key have you lost? Inside your transponder key’s plastic head is a computer chip, which emits a unique signal going to the receiver in your automobile, telling it to start. The main difference between a standard key and a transponder key is that the chip inside your transponder key has to be programmed. For most vehicles today, an electronic key fob (i.e., your remote) is an integral element of the key set. It’s vital that you protect your transponder key, because, depending on your automaker and on the complexity of its design, the replacement of a lost electronic fob is often very expensive. The fob must be appropriately programmed. There are some dealerships that will do the programming at no charge, but most will charge you a great deal.

For some cars, the transponder key and the fob are all in one. Also called a laser-cut key, the shank is a little thicker, and has fewer carved-out grooves. A laser-cut key is also referred to as a “sidewinder” key, because it has a winding-shaped cut on the shank. The laser-cut key’s built-in chip needs programming. It’s more difficult to get a spare key copied anywhere, except at the dealership. It costs more, but your car is more secure.

A smart key is not really a key at all ~ not in the usual sense of the word. It’s just a fob. You either insert it in the dash, or you keep it in your pocket or in your purse, or you attach it to your belt buckle. You can fire up or kill the engine with the press of a button. A smart key is extraordinarily secure, because it has rolling security codes. That means it’s continuously randomizing the right code, a main feature which stops a potential car thief from hacking it with a code grabber. Get your smart key replaced at your dealership.

A switchblade key is another kind of key with a transponder chip inside. This key has a shank, which folds into the fob when you’re not using it. It will pop out when you press the button. A switchblade key has either a regular cut or laser cut. One advantage to a switchblade key is that you can purchase the parts separately. If you’ve lost your key permanently, then both components need to be programmed.

Have a duplicate key made. Are you always misplacing your keys, bickering with your spouse or teenager over who lost whose keys? Save on transponder key programming by having a third spare key made. Since you probably already have two keys (which you ought to have received when you first bought your car), a good number of makes and models will permit you to program a third key. First of all, ask an automotive locksmith technician to cut you a third key; then, you can read your owner’s manual and program it yourself.

The following procedure will be successful on many American-made cars. But before you throw your money away, ask your dealership, or consult with a professional automotive locksmith company to find out whether these steps will work on your specific vehicle. If you’re any place in Wake Forest, North Carolina, find a dependable local locksmith, such as an automotive locksmith mobile specialist on staff at Wake Forest Locksmith.

1. First, insert one of the two working keys, and turn the ignition to the “on” position for about 3 seconds (but don’t start your car).
2. Next, do the same with your second key.
3. Now, insert the new third key. Turn it to the “on” position for another 3 seconds. This should effectively program your spare key.

Don’t ever lose your transponder key again!

No matter how you look at it, a transponder key isn’t cheap. The best way to avoid losing it again is to prepare beforehand. Don’t take any risks! If you have only one car key, have a spare key made right now, so you won’t get stressed out about it in the future. You don’t want to find yourself in a crisis, shelling out a lot more money than you ever wanted to spend.

If you choose to program your transponder key, you’ll need to have:

• your automobile’s chassis number
• proof that you’re the owner, with two forms of ID
• the code on the manufacturer’s code card, which originally came with your vehicle

Should you not be able to track down that code, now’s the time to locate an expert automotive locksmith who will properly reprogram the key and get you back on the road. A reliable professional will be eminently qualified to help you, generally at a lower price than what the dealership would charge.

DIY. One thing you can do to get into your automobile is that you can get the regular key only, but not the transmitter. This is less costly, and you’ll at least have a key unlock your vehicle. This is helpful if you ever lock your keys in your car. The programming element, which does the remote locking and unlocking, is really just a luxury, since it’s not actually required to get in the car and drive. You can program this part by yourself, simply by following the instructions in the owner’s manual. Or, hire an expert automotive locksmith technician to do it for you.

Wake Forest Locksmith: Access Control

Security technologies are improving all the time. Because of this, access control systems have become more widely available, for homeowners and business owners alike. Reliability and user-friendliness are among the many reasons why this residential and commercial security option is so well-regarded. You’ll commonly find these systems installed in hospitals, schools, apartment complexes, homes, and various buildings that need to handle a large influx of people on a day-to-day basis.

Of course, different options are going to vary in sophistication and price range – but they’re well worth investing in if you’d like more peace of mind over your property’s security. In case you need convincing, here are just a few of the great protective features you’ll find in your access control system of choice.

The basic mechanisms

For the benefit of those unfamiliar with how access control works, we’ll start with a brief introduction.

In a nutshell, this is a keyless security mechanism that allows you to monitor who can enter or exit your property at any given time. Usually, the “access” point in which these are installed is an entry door or gate, but you’ll likely find them in elevators too – think of buildings where you need special swipe cards to access specific floors and rooms.

Those who are granted authorized access to the property can enter by electronic means or via an operator. Some systems might even incorporate CCTV surveillance for additional security.

So, what can you get out of a good access control system?

Not only do these protective mechanisms enable you to regulate property admission, they also come with various benefits:

No more stressing over keys. You won’t be fumbling around to find the right key for your door, nor will you ever have to worry about misplacing it. Also, without the need of keys to access your property, you’re less likely to get locked out after hours – that is, provided you don’t forget to carry your swipe card with you.

More adaptability. If your keys get in the wrong hands, you’ll need to replace your locks. With an access control system, all you have to do is alter your entry code, or simply delete an old key card from the system and issue a new one. This is perfect for businesses – if an employee leaves for another job, or one of your staff loses their card, you’ll be able to update your database within a few minutes.

They’re customizable and secure. You can grant someone as little or as much access as you see fit, with no worries about someone duplicating the electronic system. They’re very hard to break into, and it’s up to you as to whether to allow people to enter the property in certain times of the day – or even being restricting their ability to access certain rooms.

You can monitor and control it from anywhere. For instance, if your child is locked out of your house and you can’t leave the office, you’ll be able to provide access remotely. Same concept applies on a business setting if someone needs to enter the premises after hours.

Consistent record of access. Anytime someone uses their entry code, it will get automatically logged into electronically. That way, if something goes awry, you can go back through the history logs to check who was inside the property at the time. It’s a good way of reducing suspicion if your property gets vandalized or some valuables go missing.

The different types of access control systems

You can expect all access control systems to come with a unique reader and credential system – including key fobs, coded pins and swipe cards. Commonalities aside, these may greatly vary on the level of security that they provide. It’s always recommended that you talk to a locksmith when deciding on the right option for your commercial building or home.

Here’s a very brief overview of some of the access control systems you can choose from:
•    Card readers
•    Magnetic door locks
•    Mechanical push buttons
•    Large metal gates
•    Digital locks
•    Biometric fingerprint readers
•    Security barriers

This isn’t an extensive list, by any means – they’re just a few common choices to get you thinking about your property’s security requirements.

Finding the best system for you

Like we said, a locksmith is going to be very helpful when it comes to investing in the right access control system. They would have done this umpteenth times, and will likely have access to some of the latest models around.

We recommend consulting with 2-3 locksmith companies in your area to find the best value for money. Most lock and key services providers won’t charge for initial consults and price quotes – so take the time to research your purchase. If you’ve never had to hire a locksmith before, see if anyone you know can give you recommendations – friends, family members, colleagues, neighbors, fellow business owners, or anyone you know has had to hire a locksmith previously. Make sure that the company specializes in residential and/or commercial services, as some might choose to focus on different security fields.

If you can’t get referrals, do a google search of local locksmiths and verify all of the contact details listed on their website – if you can’t trace a physical address back to them, or a phone number is missing, move on to the next company on your list. Read online reviews from sites like Angie’s List to get an idea of their reputation and, if possible, check if any complaints have been laid against them through the Better Business Bureau.

When you’re talking to a locksmith, make sure to check their license and insurance information and minimum callout charges. You can also ask for local client references, and inquire about their business in general: details like how long they’ve been around might give you an idea about whether they’d be able to uphold their warranties if anything goes wrong.

Wake Forest Locksmith is always available to help homeowners and businesses in Wake Forest, NC find the ideal access control for their property. Make sure to consult with our licensed and insured professionals – we’re more than happy to talk through the various options we have at our disposal.