Scenarios like getting locked out of a car, key getting stuck in the lock cylinder, and having unresponsiveness key fobs are frustrating, especially when you are in a hurry to go to work or fetch your child from school. Those instances can happen to anyone at any given time.
If you have an automotive locksmith company on your speed dial, it can help you solve those problems. When the security of your vehicle is compromised, you must know who and when to call for emergency response. The issues related to its lock system can significantly endanger your life, so it is critical that you have it resolved immediately.
A quick call to an automotive locksmith should help you resolve any security issue on your car. You can take the vehicle to their shop for inspection, or some can do home service for your convenience and safety. Regardless, you must consult them if you encounter a minor or major lock problem with your car.
What Does an Automotive Locksmith Do ?
The typical locksmiths handle lock and security issues on residential and commercial properties. An automotive locksmith specializes in installing, repairing, and maintaining the locks and security systems of a vehicle.
The skills of automotive locksmiths are a bit different and complicated from the common ones. It is because car manufacturers design the locks of their vehicles more intricately to avoid stealing incidents while the car is parked in a public place. These locksmiths spend years learning the basic skills and knowledge in providing their services. With the advancements in technology, they also have to continue learning to effectively be of service to their clients who might be in danger.
Services Provided by Automotive Locksmiths
Like typical locksmiths, automotive locksmiths also provide their clients with a unique set of services. According to a locksmith in Denver, here are some of the most common offerings of automotive locksmiths:
1. Mechanical Key Replacement
If your car still uses a mechanical key to get the doors opened and jumpstart it, it is vital that you take good care of it. In case the key gets broken, you have two options of services. The first to have the key replaced or duplicated. The second is to have the locks rekeyed, which means you will have a new set of keys for your car.
In case the key was stolen or misplaced, the best approach is to replace the key cylinder of the door locks and ignition. If this happens to you, immediately call a locksmith to provide this service. It ensures you that the car will not get stolen by the person who has gotten your car key.
2. Rewiring or Recoding of Key Fob
The key fob of your modern car serves as its remote control. It can lock and unlock the doors, roll up and down the windows, and start the car from a specific distance. When you notice a delay with the response of the car when pushing a button on the fob, it means that it needs rewiring or re-coding of the transponder inside. Remember that not all locksmiths can provide this service, so you must inquire if they know how to fix an unresponsive key fob before bringing the key fob to their shop.
3. Vehicle Key Extraction
The mechanical key of any car is made of a metallic material that is prone to breakage when exposed to harmful chemicals, varying temperatures, and poor maintenance. When it breaks while you are trying to open the door or jumpstarting the car, you would need professional help from an automotive locksmith to extract the broken key inside the lock cylinder.
4. Ignition Repair and Replacement
If you have an older car model, the chances of having an ignition lock cylinder are high. Like any vehicle component, it is susceptible to wear and tear, especially if it isn’t maintained regularly. You may feel resistance or difficulty in jumpstarting the vehicle when it gets damaged. A locksmith within your vicinity can help you replace or repair this component to ensure you will not encounter any ignition lock cylinder-related issues while on the road.
5. Emergency Lockouts
Similar to the most significant issue of homeowners, car owners also experience emergency lockouts. It usually happens to people with semi or fully automatic vehicles. The most common reason is they forget the key fobs inside their cars. That’s because most vehicles today don’t require keys to start. All they have to do is push a button, and the vehicle will automatically jumpstart. So when they get out of the car, they don’t have to remove a key from the ignition. A quick call to a locksmith nearby can help you access your car immediately.
Key Takeaway
When you encounter problems with your car’s security, it is crucial that you know an automotive locksmith that you can trust. When you buy a car, anticipate that these problems will occur anytime, so do your research and look for a professional automotive locksmith in your area. Contact them and inquire about the basic and unique services they provide.
