Losing your car keys can be stressful! Maybe your small child tossed your keys in the lake or gutter while playing. Or, your keys may be missing due to theft or human error. The end result is the same; no driving! This actually a common occurrence here in Roswell, GA. It’s only natural to have all sorts of scary thoughts go through your head. You may wonder if your key is missing for good or if it’s just somewhere behind the couch cushions or in a coat pocket. You may also wonder if someone took it off your desk at work or if you left your purse momentarily unattended in the grocery store and someone now has access to your car and god forbid, your house! Fear of the unknown is strong but there’s no need to make it worse by worrying or panicking.
WHAT IS A TRANSPONDER KEY, ANYWAY?
A transponder key is a specialized car key and if you drive a late model vehicle, chances are that you have one or more of them. Car manufacturers back in the mid to late 1990s begin placing a transponder chip in the plastic head of car keys. These transponder chips emit a signal to a receiver located in the car’s ignition. The chip was previously programmed to match the
ignition system and if the car detects that the signal does not match your car will NOT start. Plain and simple, transponder keys are anti-theft devices inserted into your car key.
SO WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
That depends; everyone’s situation is different. Many people keep a spare transponder key in the glove compartment or under the floor mat. If you have one that is NOT in the car you are in good shape. You must then decide if you want to go through the expense and trouble of having your auto locks rekeyed with new transponder keys as in the case of known theft. If you don’t know for sure that someone has a copy of your transponder key and just know that it is missing, then just use your transponder spare to access your car and drive.
If your spare is in the car but the car is locked you can save money by calling a locksmith and having him make a non-transponder key for you so that you can unlock your car and get to your real transponder key. Does this sound confusing? It’s not really. Your non-transponder key will open the locked door but will NOT start the ignition. Its purpose is only to gain access to your real transponder key inside. This key can be inexpensively made but since it lacks the transponder chip or transmitter, it can’t be used for starting your car.
MISSING TRANSPONDER CHIP
What if only the top part of the key is missing? Kids play with keys all the time and sometimes they drop out of pant pockets, purses or hands and fall to the ground. Sometimes the top portion of the key or transponder chip section pops off and becomes lost. You still have the key portion but lack the transmitter part of the key. In this case call for reputable Roswell, GA automotive locksmith and he can program a transponder chip for you. Here at Locksmith In Roswell GA we provide affordable, full service transponder key programming and duplication service so keep us in mind if the need arises.
WHAT ABOUT MY CAR DEALER?
This is a valid question. In fact, car dealerships are the usual method of getting any kind of transponder key assistance in Roswell, GA. This is always an option for you but here at Locksmith In Roswell GA we advise caution for a couple of reasons. First of all, your car will need to be towed to the dealership and that alone is expensive. Secondly the dealerships charge high fees for programming or duplicating transponder keys. Then there’s the long wait in the service area and that’s after you’ve managed to get an appointment for help in the first place. They may ask you if you are interested in transponder key insurance and try and sell you on its benefits. In truth, this insurance costs about as much as having a locksmith duplicate your key in the first place so you are actually better off just
calling an established shop like Locksmith In Roswell GA and having our mobile technician make your key replacement right at your location.
SMART TIPS
Have you lost your transponder key and need a new one NOW? Place a call to Locksmith In Roswell GA or to your favorite automotive locksmith and have them/us send over a mobile technician. You’ll save tow fees, high markups from the car dealer, long wait times and so much hassle. In fact, you’ll save so much you can probably afford to have two keys made and give one to a trusted friend or family member that you can call upon if this happens again. Or, it this is not to your liking, you can keep your spare transponder key in your purse, wallet or even in the glove box but remember that you’ll need that non transponder door key duplicate to get back inside your vehicle if it is locked.
If you have NOT locked yourself out or lost your transponder key and are reading this for information or as a precaution we advise much the same thing. Have the telephone number to a 24-hour mobile locksmith shop like Locksmith In Roswell GA in your smart phone contacts list and simply call our helpful automotive locksmiths anytime you need a transponder key programmed or duplicated. Remember, most all local locksmiths will come to you and save you time, expense and stress. If you’ve lost your transponder key after hours using a professional locksmith can
get your back behind the wheel and driving in less time than it would take to simply wait for a tow truck to find you and pull your car to the dealership.
Aricle source here: ARE YOU MISSING YOUR TRANSPONDER KEY? DO THIS!
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