If you suddenly find yourself in a situation where you need a replacement car key quickly and aren’t sure of the best (or cheapest) place to go, get in touch with Keys 4 Cars first. You may instinctively assume that a dealership would be the best place to go and get a new one cut but this isn’t the case. In fact, you may not have even been aware that there are companies like ours that specialise in automotive locksmithing.. until now.
Try us first
You can, of course, contact your local car dealer instead and that’s fine. But, after you’ve done so, it’s still a good idea to try us too. Not only can we produce a replacement car key by the side of the road, we’ll almost certainly be cheaper and much faster too. Our mobile auto locksmith vehicle is equipped with a range of specialist tools that enable us to get you back on the road ASAP. When you use a dealership, you’ll probably have to wait several days or longer for them to order you a replacement, plus you’ll also have the inconvenience of actually having to travel to them. And, if you’ve damaged or lost your key or have locked it in your car and you don’t have a spare handy, this isn’t even an option anyway. The bottom line is that, if you find yourself stranded and call your dealership, they’re not going to be much help in dealing with your predicament there and then, especially if it’s in the middle of the night or when they’re shut. We’re mobile and offer a 24-hour emergency service so it doesn’t matter what time of the day or night you call us for help.
What types of car keys can we replace?
Although there are a few vehicle models that we’re unable to deal with, we can produce replacement keys for most popular makes of vehicles. If your car is quite old, the key may not be electronic so it won’t have a transponder so it’ll simply be a case of cutting a new one that fits your car lock. If it’s newer, it’ll almost certainly be “chipped” i.e. it contains an electronic device that is connected to your car’s computer enabling it to start. For us, this isn’t a problem; we carry computerised devices that can connect to your ECU and enable us to program the replacement so that it syncs with your ignition and immobiliser.
What we can do if your keys have been stolen
There are some things you can do to prevent your car and/or keys from being stolen but, in the unfortunate event that your keys are nabbed, we can usually erase the original keys from your ECU at the same time as providing a replacement. This can sometimes happen if you’ve been the victim of pickpocketing while out shopping. If this happens, a thief may then go to the centre’s car park and begin trying to find your car using the key or fob. If you can get to it before they can, that’s the perfect time to call us for assistance. If need be, we can also replace the locks too.
I already have a working key
Sometimes, when you buy a secondhand car, it’ll only come with one key and no spare. This can be particularly true if you pick up one cheaply at a car auction. It goes without saying that this is a disaster waiting to happen. If the key is damaged (e.g. dropped in water) or cannot be repaired, you’ll be in dire straits. The best thing to do is make sure you have a working spare to avoid what will certainly be a more costly inconvenience. Why not pre-empt this by taking action and getting a spare key cut in advance. If there’s no rush and you need a price or you’re stranded somewhere and need help quickly, contact Keys 4 Cars today.