What to do when transponder key is lost
Have you lost your transponder key? It may seem like the end of the world for a while (since you really can’t drive without it!) but stay calm and follow our advice. Here at Deltona Master Locksmith we work with transponder keys on a regular basis. In fact, our automotive locksmiths can service transponder keys to all makes and models of cars on the road today and even if you don’t live here in Deltona, FL, you can contact a full service locksmith shop in your area for help.
Don’t panic!
Easy to say; hard to do! This is especially true when you assess the situation and realize that your expensive-to-replace transponder key is not only lost but it can be found by others might even use this key to steal your car from you! You start experiencing a thousand thoughts and emotions at the same time; blame, panic, fear, anger, self-reproach, worry and uncertainty. Where did you leave it? Did you drop it behind the coach like last time? Did your dog run off with your key ring? How about that suspicious looking man at the store? Then you remember how complicated and expensive it is to duplicate and program transponder keys; now you are really concerned!
It wasn’t always like this
There was a time when it was easy and inexpensive to make a copy of your car key. No, it wasn’t a transponder key, but you could take any copy of your key to your local convenience store or mail center and the clerk on duty could just cut a copy of it in mere seconds and wind up paying a dollar or so for it. Around 1995, car makers started requiring all new models to need a transponder chip key to start the engine. These specialized keys have a transponder chip inside the key head. This chip transmits a programmed signal to your car’s onboard computer and if that signal is recognized, the engine is allowed to start. Because of the embedded chip that must be programmed and inserted, the cost of making these signal keys has jumped to several hundred dollars each. This trouble and expense is often multiplied when your car or truck has to be towed into the dealership so that the vehicle’s computer can be matched to your new transponder key.
What we recommend
At our shop, we too are authorized to program and duplicate transponder keys. At first glance, that seems to give you a second source for adding a new transponder key but in reality, using a local, full service locksmith shop is your only smart choice! Locksmiths (including our shop) can duplicate, program and cut you a new, fully authorized transponder key for a mere fraction of the cost and often the same day, too. Wait; it gets better. Not only is your new transponder key from a locksmith shop just as good as any other from a dealership, it can be done totally without the need for any towing or long wait as your locksmith will be mobile and come directly to you! Imagine that; mobile convenience and money and time savings! You know you need your transponder key replaced so why not get the job done right and at significantly less cost at the same time? You are welcome to use our locksmith shop if you live in the area but if you don’t call an automotive locksmith outfit near you. Tell them what make and model of car you drive and schedule a time for service. Their mobile locksmiths will come out to your location and render the duplication and programming service needed to make one or more new transponder keys just for you!
Transponder keys online
Yes, you can order a new transponder key online but these are not authorized by the auto manufacturer and most always fail to work. The pro is that they are very inexpensive and easy to order but the cons really stack up when you consider that these online ordered keys never work right and it’s virtually impossible to get a refund from the advertisers. Then there’s the long wait time for key making and shipping! At the end of all this nonsense, you will still need to legitimately have a new transponder key made, so in essence you are starting over from scratch once you put these online transponder keys behind you. Our advice is to simply leave these alternate keys alone and call your local locksmith!
How about a spare?
Spare keys are good! We recommend that you always have one to fall back upon. Put it aside for safekeeping and don’t forget where! If you have a spare transponder key already, use it. Remember where you store or hide it and use this key for your driving. Also, the cost of duplicating your spare transponder key is very minimal, if you use the right locksmith, so you really should consider having a spare key made from your spare key! It’s a good idea to not use your spare keys on a regular basis as each use puts wear on your key (even if only slightly) and when duplicated, this wear can eventually weaken your lock.
More transponder key tips
We don’t mean to sound ‘preachy’ but do begin keeping your transponder key in the same, proper place each time. Good habits are learned and developed by repetition so always putting your keys back in their proper place is important. Over time, you can simply check your ‘key place’ and see if the key is there. If not, you know that it must be somewhere else and it’s easier to determine if in fact, your key is lost or simply misplaced. Also, try to be rough with your transponder keys. Sure, they are sturdy and made of metal, but they also contain a valuable computer chip that can fall out if dropped or thrown with too much force.