Did you lose your Transponder key? Here’s what to do!
Since the nineties, losing one’s car keys has grown a lot more complicated than it used to be in the old days. Back before computer chips, you could easily just get a spare key made at any hardware store or locksmith, or at the dealership. A basic car key, with its distinctive cuts and grooves, used to be just like a house key, simple to copy for just a few bucks.
The disadvantage of this sort of car key, of course, was that because it wasn’t difficult to copy, it was also relatively easy for a car thief to steal your automobile. Because of today’s advances in transponder key technology, vehicles are much more difficult to steal. For sure, a transponder key for your car, even though it costs more, is worth the peace of mind it allows you to have.
What kind of transponder key have you lost?
Inside the key's plastic head, a transponder key has a transponder chip, which sends out a unique signal, which goes to a receiver in your car, telling it to start up. The basic difference between a standard key and a transponder key is that the chip in the transponder key has to be programmed. For most vehicles today, an electronic key fob (also referred to as a remote) is an integral part of your key set. At all times, it's essential to safeguard your transponder key, because, depending on the automaker and the complexity level of its design, the replacement of your electronic fob can be pretty expensive. First of all, the fob must be programmed properly. A few dealerships will do this for you free of charge, but most will charge you quite a lot.
For some types of vehicles, the transponder key and the fob are one unit. Also known as a laser-cut key, the shank is a little bit thicker and has fewer carved-out grooves. Laser-cut keys are sometimes referred to as sidewinder keys, because of the winding-shaped cut on the shank. The laser-cut key’s built-in transponder chip has to be programmed. In that case, it will be harder to get a spare key made anywhere except at the dealership. Again, although it’s more expensive, at least this fact means that your car is much more secure.
A switchblade key is another kind of key that has a transponder chip inside. A switchblade key has a shank, which folds into the fob whenever it’s not in use. You press a button and it pops out. This sort of key has either a laser cut or a basic cut. One advantage of the switchblade key is that you can buy its parts separately. If you have lost your key entirely, obviously you’ll have to program both components.
A smart key is not actually a key in the traditional sense of the word. This key is actually just a fob. You either insert into the dash, or you keep in on your belt buckle, pocket, or purse. As you get into the driver’s seat, you can turn the car on and off just by pressing a button. A smart key is highly secure, because it has rolling security codes. That is, it’s continually randomizing the correct code, an amazing feature which prevents a potential car thief from hacking it with a code grabber. Your dealership can replace your smart key.
Do it yourself.
One low-cost measure you can take to allow access to your vehicle is that you can order the basic key only, without the transmitter. This key will do everything else, except it won’t start up the engine. This will come in handy if you ever lock your car keys inside your automobile.
There is also the element of programming for remote unlocking and locking. This feature is usually viewed as a luxury, since it’s not actually vital for you to be able to gain entry and drive your vehicle; but you can program this part yourself, or you can hire a professional automotive locksmith to do it for you.
Always keep a spare key.
Are you constantly losing your keys, and arguing with your spouse or your teenager about who lost whose keys? Save money on transponder key programming by making a third spare key. If you already have two keys, many automobile makes and models will permit you to program a third key on your own. You can ask a professional locksmith to cut the third key for you, and then you can follow the instructions in your owner's manual to program it yourself.
The following 3-step procedure works on many American-made vehicles. But before spending anything, first check with your dealership or with a local automotive locksmith technician to see if it will actually work with your car. If you are in Dunwoody, Georgia, consult with an automotive locksmith specialist, such as the mobile technicians on staff at Dunwoody GA Locksmith.
- First, insert one of your two working keys, and turn the ignition to the "on" position for at least 3 seconds (without starting the car).
- Second, do the same with your second key.
- Third, insert the new third key, and again turn it to the "on" position for another 3 seconds. This will effectively program your extra key.
Be sure not to lose your transponder key again!
Any way you slice it, a transponder key isn’t cheap. So the best defense against losing it again is to prepare ahead of time. Do you currently have only one set of keys? It’s so much better to have a backup spare key made now, than to stress out about it later, when you’ll end up spending a lot more money than you wanted to, in what is likely to be an urgent situation. So don’t tempt fate.
Wherever you choose to program your transponder key, you’ll require:
- your vehicle’s chassis number
- proof that you’re the real owner, with 2 forms of ID
- the unique code from the automobile manufacturer’s original code card, which came with the vehicle
If you don’t have that code, there are automotive locksmiths who can do some reprogramming to get you back on the road again. Oftentimes, a dependable professional will be qualified to assist you, and typically at a lower cost than what the dealership would charge.