The car is the second most expensive thing that many people own. It’s not just a vehicle to get you from point A to point B – it’s your home on wheels. That means it needs protection, and one of the best ways to protect your investment is by protecting its keys. In this blog post, we’ll look at everything you need to know about car key replacement so that you can make an informed decision when someone steals or damages your locks!
What to Do If Your Car Key is Lost or Damaged
Here are three things you can do if you lose your car keys.
Hire a Locksmith
An automotive locksmith can help you get back into your car and make a new key. If someone has stolen the keys, they can also reprogram these for you so that no one else will be able to use them (they even provide anti-theft protection!).
Automotive locksmiths offer 24/7 hour services, so you don’t need to spend hours waiting for a dealership to open. They can come to you anytime, no matter what time it is. Besides, most dealerships don’t provide onsite services. You must visit them where they are. Other than car key replacement, locksmiths help clients whose car keys get stuck in the car ignition or in instances where the ignition is worn out. Basically, a locksmith is an expert in car key replacement.
However, if the key has been damaged beyond repair by water or another substance (such as paint), then this will need to be replaced entirely and cannot be reprogrammed. In this case, you might want to consider getting a new car instead of having repairs/replacements made.
Take the Key Apart Yourself
If you do not have access to an automotive locksmith, then there are ways that you can take apart your key yourself. This is a very simple process and will only cost around $30 in tools (if you don’t already own them). All this requires some patience during disassembly and a willingness to get your hands dirty.
If you don’t want any parts of the key leftover and reassembled, then this might be an alright option for you – just make sure that you mark where everything goes so it can go back together correctly. However, if the lock does not work afterward (or is damaged), this method will not work, and you will have to take your keys apart differently.
Look for Automotive Dealerships in Your Area
This will be the quickest and most reliable method, but you’ll also have to spend even more money than if you’d gotten a locksmith. However, this is needed when replacing key parts that cannot be taken apart (such as an entire ignition switch or anything else on your car).
Primary Car Key Parts
Here are the main parts of car keys. They include;
Bow – This is the part of your key that our fingers hold on to.
Shaft – The centerpiece and main functioning part of a car key. This is what turns in the lock cylinder when you put your key into it and turn it right or left (depending on which direction you’re turning). It can be made out of plastic, metal, or even ceramic.
Tumbler – Like the key shaft, this is part of what turns to open your car doors and start your ignition switch. This can be made out of plastic or metal, depending on which type of locksmithing that’s being used for (handles are usually made from high-security tumblers).
Cuts – Many different cuts can be put into a car key, which allows the tumbler to line up with the lock cylinder. Usually, there will either be five or six (one for each pin), but depending on where they’re located in your ignition switch. It might have more/less than this.
Knowing car key replacement terminologies will help you know what to talk about with your locksmith or car dealership concerning damaged, chipped, or broken car keys.
