No matter how well you watch over your motorcycle key, mistakes can happen. Losing your motorcycle key is always frustrating, as it can leave you stranded. That said, there are many motorcycle key replacement options.
Don’t let a missing motorcycle key ruin your entire day. A locksmith can usually provide riders with an emergency motorcycle key as long as they provide the right information.
Read on for tips on what to do when you’ve lost your motorcycle key.
Find the code on the cylinder
If you’re looking for an older motorcycle model, you might notice several of them don’t come with ignition keys. This is fairly common and no cause for emergency, as you’ll just need to have a locksmith make a new motorcycle key.
To do this, you first need to find the cylinder code located on the motorcycle’s ignition cylinder. You can usually find this on the instrument cluster, somewhere between the speedometer and tachometer. The code should be somewhere around four digits.
After finding the code, take a picture with your phone, and head to your local locksmith. They should be able to look up that code and make a replica key.
Bring your ignition cylinder to a locksmith
For whatever reason, you may have trouble finding the cylinder code on your motorcycle. One of the other options for motorcycle key replacement involves bringing your entire ignition cylinder to a local locksmith.
If you’re worried about damaging your ignition cylinder, have a local mechanic remove it for you. After doing so, bring the device to your locksmith, and let them examine it. They will then make an emergency motorcycle key by first creating a mold of the cylinder’s lock.
Since this method is a bit more complicated than simply bringing in a cylinder code, it usually costs more. That’s why it’s good to call your locksmith ahead of time for an estimate.
Contact the dealership
This is usually the last option for motorcycle riders because it’s more expensive than working with a locksmith. When working with the dealership, you’ll have to first find the vehicle’s VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number. This number, which is distinct to every vehicle, is usually located somewhere on the steering neck.
Next you’ll need to gather proof of ownership to show the dealership, as they won’t provide you an emergency motorcycle key otherwise. Be sure to contact the dealership first and see what specific documents they require, which may include the vehicle’s title, registration and receipt.
After bringing all the right documentation to the dealership, they should be able to make you a new key without much problem.
Work with a good locksmith
Working with a good locksmith will ensure you get a fair price on your new emergency motorcycle key. At Artie’s Lock and Key, we provide our services to drivers all over Fairfax, VA. As long as you have all the right information, we can offer you a variety of motorcycle key replacement options to meet your needs. Reach out today to learn more!
It’s something most drivers have done at some point. Locking your keys in your car is not only annoying but dangerous in many situations. That’s why it’s important to know what to do when locking your keys in the car.
There are professional locksmiths who specialize in emergency car door lockouts. You should contact one of them right away or use one of the methods mentioned below.
Will roadside assistance unlock my car?
When wondering what to do when locking your keys in the car, many people ask if roadside assistance will help. While this can depend on your exact policy, roadside assistance will help unlock a car door in most situations. That said, it could take a while for a roadside assistance professional to reach your location.
It’s important to check your roadside assistance policy carefully before signing any documents. If you’re worried about the potential of locking your keys in your car, be sure the policy covers emergency car door lockouts.
Unlocking a car door with a clothes hanger
Using a clothes hanger is a tried-and-true method of unlocking a car, though it only works with older vehicles. All you need is a wire coat hanger and a pair of pliers. Use the pliers to untwist and straighten the clothes hanger. Just make sure to leave the hook alone.
After unraveling the clothes hanger, slide it into the window, hook first. This part takes some finesse, as you’ll need to hook the control arm. Pull on the control arm once you’ve hooked it, and the door should open.
Unlocking a car door with your phone
These days, technology can help open your car door. For many newer vehicles, you can download an app that allows control of several vehicle components. With these apps, drivers can unlock and lock their doors as well as start their cars. Check with your manufacturer to see if there’s an app available for your vehicle.
When to contact the police
There are some situations in which it’s best to contact the authorities if you’ve locked your keys in your car. For example, if you’ve accidentally locked a child or pet in the car, contact the police right away. The police or fire department will likely get there much more quickly than a locksmith would.
Get in touch with a local locksmith
In most cases, the quickest and easiest way to open a locked car door is by working with a professional locksmith. A professional locksmith has all the right tools to open a locked car door without breaking windows or other components. Be sure to only hire locksmiths with many years of experience and good reviews.
At Artie’s Lock and Key in Fairfax, VA, we have a team of experienced locksmiths who can come to your location as quickly as possible to get you out of a sticky situation. Our services include emergency car door lockouts, ignition repair, key duplications and replacements and key fob replacement. Contact us today for all your locksmithing needs.
There are plenty of reasons a person might need a new car key made without having the original. They may have locked the original key in their car or lost their keys entirely. No matter what the reason, being without a car key is always a frustrating situation. You may find yourself wondering how to get a replacement car key without the original in Fairfax, VA. Read on to find out!
Getting a replacement key from a locksmith
There is, of course, the option to contact your dealership and ask for a replacement car key if you have experienced a vehicle lockout. For the most part, a dealership should be able to provide you with a replacement key as you will be in their record as having purchased the vehicle. The only problem is, you will likely have to go to the dealership to pick up your key, and if the key to your only vehicle is lost, then you may need a tow truck.
Tow truck fees can be quite expensive and a big hassle, which is why many people choose to contact a locksmith instead of their car dealership. Having a locksmith in Fairfax, VA bring a car key replacement to you can save you plenty of time and money. A locksmith may even be able to help you open your car without a key.
All this being said, there is information you will need to provide to a Fairfax, VA locksmith in order for them to help open your car or provide you with a replacement car key.
Information your locksmith will need
There are several pieces of information you’ll want to have handy for when your locksmith arrives. A locksmith will want to know the make, model and year of your vehicle. They will also want to know if your keys have been stolen or were simply misplaced.
Of course, proof of ownership of the vehicle in question is needed for the locksmith to open your car or provide you with a replacement key. This will usually come in the form of your vehicle’s registration and title.
The process may also go a lot easier if you have your VIN, or vehicle identification number, on hand. This number can be found in several possible places, including the inside of your driver’s side door or in the vehicle’s manual. If you keep a car insurance card in your wallet or purse, that’s another option.
The cost of a car key replacement
If you just require a locksmith to open your car door and retrieve your keys, then you will only have to pay the locksmith’s fee. However, if you need a new key entirely, then you will have to pay a fee to have the key made. That being said, keys made by locksmiths are usually much cheaper than a replacement key from a car dealership. The cost can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the make and model of your vehicle and where you are having the replacement key made.
At Artie’s Lock and Key, we provide a variety of services, including car key replacement, door repairs, commercial locksmith services and much more. For quick and reliable locksmith services at a great price in Fairfax VA, contact Artie’s Lock and Key today.
To the casual observer, transponder car keys can seem nothing short of magic. A transponder key system is something of a misnomer, though, since there’s no physical key involved. Instead, the transponder sends a signal to the vehicle’s onboard computer, which is interpreted as lock/unlock for the car’s security system. Chances are, if you’re a Fairfax, VA resident who’s purchased a car in the past few years, you have a transponder key.
Why are transponder keys popular?
Like most access control-style locking systems, transponder key systems are popular because they’re much more secure than a traditional lock and key system. Since everything is done via low-frequency radio waves, there’s no key to duplicate or lock to pick, making it tremendously difficult for car thieves and burglars to gain access to your vehicle.
Most modern automakers have moved over to transponder keys not only because of the security, but also because of their simplicity and flexibility. It’s easier to program (and reprogram) transponder keys off the assembly line than it is to cut keys—especially microchipped keys.
How do they work?
As mentioned above, a transponder key system works by sending a signal from your key fob to the car’s onboard computer. The signal is interpreted as lock/unlock depending on the button you push and the frequency sent by the fob. Many transponder systems are also tied to the ignition system, meaning the transponder also works to start the car (think push-button ignition). The presence of radio waves signals to the vehicle that the keyholder is present.
Ever wonder why you need to be right next to a car to use the transponder key? It’s because the radio frequencies emitted by the fob are so low-level, they dissipate beyond a certain distance. Most keys need to be within five to six feet of the vehicle to work. This is by design, and it adds even more safety to the transponder key system.
How do you replace a transponder key?
Though they’re more difficult to create, getting a transponder key replacement isn’t impossible. A locksmith with the proper programming tools can create a new key that works with a vehicle’s existing transponder key system.
The trick is understanding that different manufacturers use different programming systems. For example, Ford uses its Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) to program transponder keys, while General Motors uses Circle Plus keys and PASSKey3 (PK3) keys. These programming differences are subtle, but they affect how the transponder key communicates with the vehicle. For this reason, it’s important to work with an auto locksmith in Fairfax, VA that has the ability to program transponder key replacements for all makes and models.
Convenience and security, all in one
There are more than a few reasons why transponder key systems have become commonplace for late-model vehicles. The only inconvenient thing about them is trying to get into your vehicle without the right fob! Thankfully, there are locksmiths like Artie’s Lock and Key that can make getting a new transponder key simple, so you can get back behind the wheel.
There are few things more frustrating than losing a set of keys. When your lost keyring includes a car key, your first instinct might be to call up the dealership and see if you can get a replacement key made and sent out to you. However, we’d encourage you to consider choosing a locksmith for these services instead, for a variety of reasons.
Here are a few examples of some of the primary advantages associated with opting for a locksmith over the dealership for car key replacement in Fairfax, VA.
Timeliness
You’re almost certainly going to need to get a replacement key as soon as possible so you can get back on the road and take care of all your everyday priorities and tasks. It can be a significant inconvenience to have to spend an extended period of time without access to your vehicle.
Dealerships help people solve a wide variety of problems with their vehicles, and they’ll likely be doing so in the order in which the car owners arrive. This means you might have several other people ahead of you dealing with any number of issues with their cars when all you need is to have a new key created. It might take hours or even days for you to get the job done.
On the other hand, by working with a locksmith who has experience in creating automotive keys, you’ll be able to have a relatively quick turnaround time, allowing you to minimize the time lost due to missing car keys so you can get back on the road.
Cost
Every dealership is different with regard to how it handles key replacement. In some cases, you might find that the cost of replacing a lost car key can be exorbitant if you go through the dealership. In such a case, you can generally assume a professional locksmith will be able to get the job done at a fraction of the cost, in addition to doing so with a faster turnaround time. You may as well save some money on the job, and support a local business in the process!
Availability
Locksmiths are always available when you need them, and many offer mobile services so they can come out to you and help you out of your situation. In addition, locksmiths frequently offer emergency services so you can get assistance at any time of the day or night.
Consider this: you could lose your keys at literally any time of day, and in any location. Dealerships have much greater limitations than locksmiths with regard to availability. They’re not going to come out to your location, and they aren’t going to offer emergency services to address your needs. If you find yourself in a jam due to lost keys, your trust is much better placed in a professional automotive locksmith than in the dealership.
Interested in learning more about key replacement services in Fairfax, VA in the even that you lose your car keys? We encourage you to contact Artie’s Lock and Key today with any questions about our services.
