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Transponder keys are a great security feature and these keys come with almost all cars on the market today. Transponder keys have a unique signal that corresponds to the car that they came with and this means that only that particular key can be used to start your car. Although these keys reduce the worry of having your car stolen, they can also be a source of stress since losing transponder keys can mean hassle in obtaining another one
Go through the car manual. If you lose a transponder key, you might find that the car manual has outlined steps to take in case you lose your car keys or they have been stolen. There might be a section that guides you through the process of acquiring a new key and programming it to your car so that the old one is automatically disabled. This can be a convenient way to go since you have all the steps available to you. All you have to do is follow them. If you are even slightly unsure about these steps and do not know what to do, you should ideally get in touch with a locksmith and they will be more than happy to help. This is their area of expertise as well and they can offer assistance even if you do not ask them to provide you with a replacement key. This step should only be used by you if you know what you are doing and know how to get a new replacement key.
Get your documentation ready, especially if you make an emergency call. If you have lost your transponder key and have contacted a locksmith for emergency services, you want to make sure that you have the vehicle identification and ownership papers, along with your own ID information. The locksmith will want to make sure that it is your car that you are trying to access before they can provide you with their services. This is part of the process and is necessary information, so always be prepared and try to cooperate so that you can get your vehicle’s key quickly. Vehicle papers also allow them to provide the service in an efficient manner since looking at the vehicle details will allow them to determine the kind of transponder key you are looking for.
Try to avoid dealerships. This may seem like a ploy to get you to hire locksmiths for such services, however, if you compare costs, you will find that the same service can be provided at a much more affordable cost by a locksmith. Dealerships are usually costly, and if you go to one for a replacement, they might make you go through a lot of stress before you can get your transponder key. Bypass all of that by visiting a locksmith service since they can easily provide a new transponder key and reprogram it so that you can have a new key at a low cost. The priority of the locksmith is the customer and so they will make sure that you get the best service, even in emergency situations. Locksmith businesses usually have all the latest equipment and technology to reprogram such keys, and you will thank yourself for skipping the formality of a dealership and going straight to a locksmith.
Get a spare key. If you have never lost your car keys, you might still want to take precautionary measures so that you are not locked out of your car and have access to it even if you lose your main key. If you have lost your key and have finally obtained a replacement, get a spare transponder key made so that you can have a key in case you misplace your main one. In this manner, you will always have access to your car. If losing keys is a frequent occurrence, try to have more than one spare key made.
Ask about insurance programs for unforeseen circumstances. If you do want to consider your options, ask about deals and programs that your dealership may have for situations like lockouts and lost keys. Some dealerships offer such programs where you can avail rekeying services for lower prices under certain circumstances. This can be of great help if you want a dealership service but do not want to spend a massive amount of money on it. All you have to do is ask and you may find great programs waiting for you.
Invest in a key locator. You might be surprised to know that key locators actually exist, but if you have lost your keys one too many times, they can be a lifesaver. Sure, if you dropped your key miles away from where you live or your keys were stolen, a key locator might not be the best solution. However, you may find that while you were panicking over the possibility of a stolen key, your key was inside your car or hidden somewhere out of sight. A key locator makes detecting lost keys a lot easier and allows you to stress out only when completely necessary.
Some of these tips are for consideration after you’ve lost your keys and do not want to repeat the incident, but they can also serve as precautionary measures in case you lose your transponder keys in the future. Losing a transponder key can be a bit of a hassle because some keys are difficult to acquire and reprogram. However, if you choose a reliable locksmith that is certified, you will, no doubt, get a service equal, if not better, to that of a dealership or manufacturer. Locksmiths can help in reducing the hassle and the costs since they experience these situations more frequently than you would think and you can count on them having a ready solution for you. You can also always ask for advice that is free if you want to know how to deal with such a circumstance if it ever happens to you.