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Taking Care Of Your Car Keys

Losing your car keys is not only a stressful ordeal, but a very expensive one as well. Car key cutting prices usually exceed £100, which is a lot more than most people would care to give for a new key. But before you hand over the money for a replacement, there are other options that you can try beforehand. A locksmith can make a copy of most car key types, but there are a few things you’ll need to do before you find one.

Start by writing down your car’s VIN number. This will provide the locksmith with a lot of information regarding both the car and the key that is needed to work with it. The VIN is usually located on the dashboard of the driver’s seat window. If it is not there, check the rear wheel or the front engine block. The VIN is always placed in an easily visible area because it is very useful both for the car owner and for the manufacturer. However, if you still can’t seem to find it, you can check online by looking up the maker and series of your car.

Apart from the VIN number, you also need to write down the make, year, and model of your car. The more details you have about it the better, because you never know which information will be the most valuable to the locksmith. Every locksmith uses a different set of machinery for key cutting, and while they all require the VIN numbers, not all ask for the same additional details.

Once you have gathered all the required information, find the best locksmith in your area. Make sure that they are specifically trained to copy car keys, because they require careful work and zero mistakes in order to work properly. Never give your key to a hardware store for copying. While they do have key copying booths, they are very unlikely to be experienced with car keys, so you will probably be wasting both your time and your money.

There is a bit of a catch when it comes to finding a locksmith to do the job for you. The older your car, the more likely you are to find a locksmith to copy it. This is because new cars have keys that are almost always placed inside an electronic mechanism which is also needed for the key to work. If the electronics of the key malfunction, there is really nothing that a locksmith can do to help you and you will need to send the key off the original manufacturer for repairs or buy a new one. But if the electronic elements are fine, then there is a good chance that you will be able to make a copy of your original key.

Once your copy key has been made, you will also need to reprogram it back to the car so that you can start using it again. You will also need the help of the locksmith to do this correctly. Bring your car’s manual with you to the locksmith’s and then work through it together to restart the settings properly and get the new key working. It is also a good idea to use this opportunity to replace the key’s battery and restart its security system. If all goes well, you will have a new key ready for use.

Car key cutting prices vary from one locksmith to another, but they will generally be a much cheaper option than buying a completely new set of keys. Try to find a workshop with a lot of experience and great feedback from previous customers.