There’s nothing quite like hopping on your motorcycle at the end of a long week and letting off some steam by cruising down the highway as the sun shines down on your shoulders. It’s a thrill that only those who are addicted to the open road and the feeling of an engine revving between their legs would truly understand. Of course, it’s impossible to head out on a motorcycle adventure if you can’t find your keys.
If you’re not using your motorcycle as your primary means of transportation, lost keys will happen. When the worst occurs, here are some tips for getting a motorcycle key replacement in Fairfax, VA, without also getting a headache.
Work from your VIN
If you have income (and time) to spare, you can locate a dealership and supply them with your motorcycle’s vehicle identification number (or VIN). Most dealerships will also require some proof of ownership, like the vehicle’s title, registration or the bill of sale. If you purchase your motorcycle new directly from a dealership, they should be your best bet.
Once you’ve gathered the paperwork, you can hitch a ride to the dealership, where they’ll supply you with a new key or a new ignition cylinder.
What’s your code?
Several brands of motorcycle have a failsafe mechanism in place in the event of a lost key. On your bike’s ignition cylinder—a silver shaft between your speedometer and tachometer—there should be a three- or four-digit code. You may need to loosen the ignition cylinder to see it.
Once you’ve recorded the code, contact a locksmith that’s equipped to offer motorcycle key replacement in Fairfax, VA. They should be able to get you a new key.
Remove the ignition cylinder
If you’re mechanically-inclined, you can remove your motorcycle’s ignition cylinder and take it to a parts store or a locksmith. Though labor-intensive, there are some benefits to this approach. The biggest is this: in some cases, you may find that three-digit code or the dealership itself is unable to print you a new key. When this happens, removing your ignition cylinder helps you stay one step ahead of any unforeseen hurdles.
If, for example, you find that you can’t secure a replacement key, you may need to replace your ignition cylinder entirely. Having your entire ignition cylinder on hand can save some time in a worst-case scenario.
Your go-to locksmith
There are a lot of strategies you can employ to find a motorcycle key replacement in Fairfax, VA, but the easiest way to get yourself a new key (and some back-up pairs) is to call on the pros at Artie’s Lock and Key.
Throughout the Washington, DC area, we have established ourselves as the go-to locksmith. Whether your needs are residential, commercial or automotive, one of our talented, courteous professionals can come to your aid. For new house keys and car keys, new locks for anything under the sun, new high-security locks, door repair, exit devices, ignition repair, lock rekeying, safe cracking, storefront repair and so much more, you can count on Artie’s Lock and Key.
If you’re locked out, we’ll get you in. Contact Artie’s Lock and Key today. We can’t wait to hear from you.
These days, most new cars come with the option of keyless entry. Though once considered a luxury, keyless entry has become standard-issue in a lot of makes and models of cars, trucks and SUVs. And more’s the better—no matter how many times you use the keyless entry to save you the trouble of fumbling for the door key in the dark, no matter how many times you use the tell-tale sound to find your lost car in a crowded parking lot, keyless entry is a magical innovation. The option to lock and unlock your car door with the push of a button never ceases to be a wonder of technology.
That said, when your keyless entry fails to work, it can throw a serious wrench in your plans, whether you’re about to hit the town or commute to work. Here are some complications you might encounter when you require keyless entry repair in Fairfax, VA.
A specialized replacement
There’s really no such thing as an old-school car key going bust. You get one when you get the car, and that’s that. When you opt for keyless entry, on the other hand, there’s always the possibility that, at some point, your keyless entry simply won’t function. What’s more, engaging in keyless entry repair in Fairfax, VA can be somewhat complicated.
No simple copies
When you get a traditional car key, you can head to the nearest hardware store and have one or two backup copies made. That way, if you should happen to lose your key, you’ll still be able to get into your vehicle. When you have keyless entry, however, your car key includes a microchip.
This microchip is responsible for several things. It allows your fob to unlock and lock your doors at the touch of a button, it keeps you from being able to lock your keys in your car and it allows you to start your vehicle. If you accidentally lose your keyless entry fob, those features could turn into huge drawbacks.
For example, when people have a low-tech copy of their keyless entry fob, they’ll find that they can only lock and unlock the doors, and the engine itself won’t start.
Battery power runs down
Like any technology, keyless entry requires a power source to operate. In this case, that’s a specialized battery that keeps your fob’s microchip working. Batteries, as you know, have temporary lifespans. In the case of your keyless entry fob, that’s about three to four years. When the battery runs down, you’ll find that the remote entry capabilities of your car fail to work.
Make things easy on yourself
Looking for keyless entry repair in Fairfax, VA? Come to the pros at Artie’s Lock and Key. For more than 40 years, we have provided impeccable locksmithing services to the greater Washington, DC area. In addition to our work with remote entry and transponder keys, we’re also able to offer a massive array of locksmithing services for residential, commercial and automotive customers alike.
Take it easy on yourself. Trust your locks to Artie’s Lock and Key. Give us a call or visit us online today.
One of the biggest worries among car owners is theft. No matter what make, model or year your vehicle is, there’s always a chance of theft when your car is left unattended, so it’s important to take all of the necessary precautions. One of the best ways to protect your vehicle is by using anti-theft devices in Centreville, VA. There are many different types of anti-theft devices for drivers to choose from. Read on to learn more about these devices and which ones offer the most benefits.
What are anti-theft devices?
Anti-theft devices are products that are designed to prevent thieves from getting into your vehicle or driving it away. Some anti-theft devices are simple manual devices that make it difficult for thieves to take your vehicle. Others are designed with electronic components and smart-phone integration features that offer more sophisticated security monitoring. Regardless of the type of device, all anti-theft devices in Centreville, VA are designed to keep vehicles safe. Here are a few of the most common anti-theft devices:
Tire locks: Tire locks make it impossible for thieves to drive your car away. A tire lock is a large metal device that’s attached to a car wheel and locked in place. Not only do tire locks prevent thieves from getting away with your car once they get inside, they are also great at deterring thieves before they even attempt to steal a vehicle. Seeing a tire lock is often enough to prevent a thief from targeting your car.
Hood locks: Hood locks are designed to prevent thieves from hot wiring your car. These devices block access to your car’s engine so thieves can’t get to the systems they need to start up a vehicle without the key. In addition, hood locks protect your vehicle against people who steal car parts to resell them.
Steering wheel locks: Steering wheel locks make it impossible to turn the wheel of a vehicle. These devices are usually shaped like hooks and can be locked and unlocked using a key. Like tire locks, steering wheel locks prevent theft and serve as an effective visual deterrent to thieves.
Electronic immobilizers: The most effective type of anti-theft device is an electronic immobilizer. Electronic immobilizers are devices that prevent a car from starting if the key is out of range. Newer cars typically come with this kind of device installed. A transponder in the key fob sends a signal when the key is in range. If the key is out of range, the electronic immobilizer will lock down the car’s ignition and the car won’t start.
Hire an automotive locksmith in Centreville VA
At Artie’s Lock and Key, we know how important the security of your vehicle is, and we are here to help you keep your car protected. We offer comprehensive automotive locksmithing services, including laser key cutting, mobile lockout assistance and fob replacement. Regardless of what your needs may be, our team is here to assist you. Learn more about all of the services we have to offer by giving our team a call today.
If you’ve ever misplaced your car key or locked the keys inside your car, you know the panicked feeling that quickly sets in. The good news is that there are several relatively simple methods you can try to unlock your car door without the key. This post from your favorite automotive locksmith in Fairfax, VA will cover a few of those methods that may be able to get you out of a sticky situation:
Shoestring: If your car door has a lock that unlocks by pulling up, you can use your shoestring to unlock it. Make a loop in the middle of your shoestring and thread it through the space where the car door meets the exterior. Once the loop is in the car, hook it around the lock and pull upwards. It’s as easy as that!
Coat hanger: A wire coat hanger can be hard to come by if you’re locked out of your vehicle. But if you can find one, it’s a handy tool to unlock any lock. Untwist the hanger and slip it in the window through the weatherstripping. It may take some time and fiddling around, but you should eventually be able to open the door.
Rod and screwdriver: If you have a Phillips head screwdriver and a steel rod, you can open up any car door. Simply pry open the car door using the screwdriver and stick the metal rod in the door and press the lock button. Keep in mind that this method can damage the door, so be extra careful when doing so!
Slim Jim: A Slim Jim isn’t just a tasty treat—it’s also a useful tool for opening doors without a key! Slide the metal tool into the car door the same way you would with a coat hanger, and pull up on the locking mechanism. It’s an effective method, assuming you have such a tool lying around somewhere.
Plastic strip: Instead of scraping up your car door using metal objects, you may be able to unlock the door using a piece of plastic. In addition to being less harsh on your paint job, plastic is easier to bend and wedge inside your car door.
Tennis ball: Whether or not this method works is highly debated. However, it is an interesting concept! Take a tennis ball and drill a small hole into it. Then, place the tennis ball on the lock with the hole on top of the keyhole and push down. The pressure from the tennis ball should (in theory) force the car to unlock!
Call a professional: Instead of trying all of the steps mentioned above, just call a locksmith the moment you realize you’re locked out! Calling a locksmith from the get-go can save you from a lot of frustration, and can ensure that you get on with your day as fast as possible.
Don’t trust anyone else but Artie’s Lock and Key the next time you lock yourself out of your vehicle! In addition to being a reliable automotive locksmith in Fairfax, VA, we also offer locksmith services for your home and business. Give us a call today to find out what we can do for you!
In most modern vehicles, keyless entry is both a convenience feature and a security feature. You can simply click a button on your car key remote when walking up to your car to unlock or lock the doors! Unfortunately, there may come a time when the clicker fails. Below our auto locksmiths in Fairfax, VA discuss five reasons why your car remote may not be working:
Dead remote batteries: A car key remote or key fob is a contact-free way of unlocking and locking your vehicle. In some cases, the remote can even start the engine. Batteries (typically lithium coins) are the source of power for car remotes, giving juice to the transmitter in the car key clicker. Lithium coin batteries are small and have a long shelf life, but don’t let that fool you—if the battery in your remote dies, there’s no power to wake up the transmitter. Replace the battery in a non-functional car key remote and see if that solves the problem.
Remote is not programmed: The car key remotes for newer vehicles and many older vehicles are paired devices. They have to sync up with your car so that the transmitter and receiver become dependent on one another. This means the transmitter in the remote needs to be programmed and paired to the receiver inside the car; otherwise, the key remote will not work. It’s important to note that you will have to reprogram the key remote to your vehicle after replacing the battery.
Damaged remote receiver or transmitter: A car key remote can only work if the transmitter and receiver are able to communicate. Remotes operate by exchanging signals with the receiver they are paired to. Should your key remote transmitter be damaged, it’s going to have a hard time communicating with the receiver in the car. You’ll likely need to rely on local auto locksmiths in Fairfax, VA to fix remote transmitter damage, or ask them to find out if the receiver in your vehicle is damaged.
Remote broken: So, replacing the key remote battery didn’t fix the issue, and neither did your attempt to program it to your vehicle. It sounds like your car remote stopped working because it’s just broken. Even if it seems as though your transmitter and receiver are functioning properly, the key remote won’t work if its internal mechanics have shifted or are damaged. In the situation, you will need to visit an automotive locksmith for key FOB replacement in Fairfax, VA.
Key remote is not the problem: There is also the possibility that the problem is with your car, not the key remote. You could have a dead car battery or a mechanical issue under the hood. Ultimately, if there’s no power in your vehicle, your keyless entry remote may not work.
Prompt locksmith services can get you back on the road fast. If you ever find yourself locked out of your vehicle or in need of key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA, call Artie’s Lock and Key right away!
