Different Types of Keys Your Local Auto Locksmith Can Help With

It wasn’t until 1910 that the first car key was invented at a time when car ownership was low, vehicles had no doors, and the speed limit in urban areas was less than the walking pace of the average pedestrian. In 1910, car keys were introduced for the first time to lock a vehicle’s electronics, but a hand crank and a high degree of physical willpower was still needed to start the engine.

It wasn’t until 1949 that the Chrysler Corporation invented a key that would activate the car’s ignition: a flat blade with a single-cut edge that resembled a house key.

Today, as technology has rapidly advanced, auto locksmiths can deliver a wide range of services, including key cutting, car key cloning, and key and fob programming – essential services to help motorists when their keys have become misplaced, damaged, or stolen.

There are three types of keys that auto locksmiths can duplicate:

1. Standard Car Keys

Standard car keys have existed for decades, featuring a flat metal blade with grooves and indentations but without the electronic chips that other types of keys feature in the head of the device. Because of the precision of the design, it’s not as easy as it sounds to reproduce a duplicate key; instead, auto car key locksmiths must access the manufacturer’s database to identify the key code for the model, and year of the vehicle, so that the exact cuts can be made to the blank key so that it works seamlessly every time.

2. Transponder Car Keys

While similar to standard keys, transponder keys have an additional integrated layer of security in the form of an in-built electronic chip contained in the key head. A newly cut transponder key will not automatically start a car as the transponder must be able to communicate with the vehicle. Instead, the auto locksmith must use specialist software to not only reproduce the shape of the key but to program the transponder, so the vehicle recognises it and allows the ignition to be activated.

3. Smart Key Fobs

Smart key fobs offer the ultimate convenience as keyless cars will automatically unlock and lock if the fob is in proximity to the vehicle, and the engine can be started simply at the press of a button. However, if the fob is lost, runs out of power, or is damaged, the motorist will be locked out of their car and, if they somehow manage to gain access, they will still be unable to start the ignition.

Car Dealership Or Auto Locksmith?

Contacting the dealership for a replacement is one option, but it’s expensive and there is likely to be a frustrating delay for the new fob to be delivered. A cheaper and quicker solution is to source a replacement fob from an auto locksmith or garage that has the specialist equipment to program a new device quickly and help their customers get back on the road as soon as possible. 

To program a replacement key fob, customers will need to produce:

• The make and model of the vehicle.
• The registration number.
• The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Often, the car will need to be present for the car key programming process to be completed.

Contact Us To Find Out More

At Advanced Keys, we provide a comprehensive range of diagnostic tools and key programmers for auto locksmiths and garages, including the TDB1000 which is cost-effective, reliable, and secure.

To find out more, please call us on 0121 749 5210.

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