In a competitive business landscape, doing things differently can help garages and vehicle dealerships to stand out from the crowd. While many offer broadly the same services for motorists, from essential repairs to annual servicing and MOT tests, car key programming is often left to specialist auto locksmiths, in part because the equipment is perceived to be expensive to purchase or complicated to use.
The advent of electric vehicles (EVs) in recent years has been welcomed by campaigners for their reduced carbon footprint and potential to minimise transport’s negative impact on the environment. However, it is less well-known that EV technology, combined with more efficient and accurate connectivity, is also reshaping the landscape of car key programming.
When a vehicle refuses to start, especially if the cause is an immobiliser-related issue, it can be a frustrating situation for both the motorist and the technician who is entrusted to solve the problem. Immobiliser systems are intricate and often integrated with a vehicle’s electronics, using a combination of technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID), transponders, or unique codes to prevent ignition. The complexity of these systems makes diagnosing problems more challenging, so overcoming immobiliser issues requires specialist knowledge and tools.
The Covid-19 pandemic caused unprecedented change across many industries worldwide, with the automotive sector being no exception. For many businesses, managing the health and wellbeing of customers and staff proved to be a challenge, particularly when trying to ensure that sales volumes were not adversely impacted.
Keyless entry systems are an increasingly common feature of modern vehicles, offering car owners enhanced levels of convenience and reducing the likelihood and cost of being locked out. However, according to a leading automotive magazine and website, it can be 90 per cent faster for a thief to steal a keyless car than a model with a conventional key and ignition so it’s imperative that vehicle owners know how to stop keyless car theft by utilising effective anti-theft devices.
Car keys have changed considerably over the years, from primitive metal blades that can be easily recut, to complex transponder keys that can only be reproduced with a specialist car key programmer.
In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating history of car keys, from the earliest variants to the modern day.
The TDB1000 Advanced Security Systems Electronic Tester (also known as ASSET) is an affordable and user-friendly car key programmer that reads security PIN codes and resets used remote control keys as well as programming proximity system keys. For garages and auto locksmiths who wish to expand their services, the TDB1000 key programmer is a real ‘asset’!
Auto locksmiths play a crucial role in ensuring the security and functionality of vehicle locks. To deliver top-notch services, it is essential for these professionals to source their products from quality car key wholesalers, such as Advanced Keys.
A surge in the number of rogue auto locksmiths operating in the UK has led the country’s largest trade body, the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA), to issue a warning to homeowners and motorists alike. Losing car keys is an alarming situation, especially when the vehicle is essential for commuting or ferrying children to school, so it’s unsurprising that car owners may panic and fail to check out the credentials of their chosen auto locksmith.
The theft of cars with keyless entry systems is accelerating rapidly and now accounts for approximately 94 per cent of all thefts, according to research. Keyless entry and starting may offer drivers the ultimate convenience, but there’s little benefit if these systems can be easily bypassed by criminals. Therefore, vehicle owners must take action to protect their assets and frustrate thieves’ efforts to gain unauthorised access to their cars.