What to Do When Transponder Key is Lost

With technological advancements, security is usually the foremost concern for any manufacturer. The same applies for cars and the keys that come with them. Transponder keys make it harder for cars to be stolen as a result of lost keys since they have a chip inside them that corresponds to the chip inside the car, only allowing that specific key to start the ignition. It is possible to lose your transponder key but you can take a few steps in order to make sure that you approach the situation in the best way possible without causing any damage to the car or without having the replacement cost you a fortune.

One warning, before we proceed, is that you should always make sure to consult a professional in Atlanta, GA in order to determine what you should do if you lose your transponder key. Qualified and licensed professionals usually have the efficient and suitable solution ready at hand, and if you have no clue how to approach the situation, get in touch with a qualified locksmith immediately.

Check the car manual.

You might find that the car manual has a guide on what to do if you need to get a new transponder key. You might have to purchase one and then program it yourself, but go through the manual thoroughly to see if it gives instructions on how to pair a new transponder key to your car. However, only do this if you are completely sure about what to do. Otherwise, you can consult a locksmith, and they can help you with the instructions in the manual.

Check to see if your warranty stands.

If you have purchased a car recently and have lost the keys or they got stolen, make sure to check the warranty of the vehicle. If you go for a solution to a dealership, you might find that the cost of replacement is exorbitant. Therefore, check warranties to see if you can get replacement keys for any unforeseen circumstances. If you can, you are lucky and have avoided a massive bill, getting the right service for the problem.

Try avoiding dealerships and scout your locksmith options.

Dealerships and manufacturers are great if you have a cost-free option available. However, if you want to make sure that your solution falls within your budget and you do not have a cost-free option, you may want to look into local, reliable, and licensed locksmith services so that you can get an affordable service quickly. Transponder keys can sometimes be costly to replace, and if you can find a locksmith that offers the service to rectify the situation, it is much better to do it through a locksmith since they have the technology and the knowledge available at a fraction of the cost. You do want to make sure that your locksmith is certified, like us, before you go to them.

Get all your information together.

The first thing you should do when you lose a transponder key is prepare all the information of the vehicle and yourself if you need to go to a locksmith. They will need that information to ensure that you are the true owner of the car, and they will need to use the information of the car to determine how to proceed with the solution. Information of the car just includes basic information like the make and model of the car, the registration number, and the vehicle identification number.

These are some of the steps you should take in order to prepare for a new transponder key. However, you can do a few things to make sure that you are not without a key for a prolonged period of time in case you lose your key again.

Make a spare key.

This means that you always have a backup and you will be able to use your car, even if your main set of keys gets lost or is stolen. You can save a lot of costs in this manner, such as the cost of towing your car to a locksmith – if you looked up a service in haste that does not offer home visits – if you do not have spare keys. If you are prone to losing keys frequently, have a couple of them made instead of just one. Check your dealer for key replacement programs.

This is an insurance-like service that provides easy solutions to key problems without costing a fortune. These programs can allow you to save some money, and if you want to go to a dealer and not a locksmith, it would be beneficial for you to enquire about such a program. From key replacements to lockouts, these programs tend to cover such unforeseen situations.

Key trackers can allow easy recovery.

You might find that you did not have to go to a locksmith or dealer in the first place. If your keys are stolen, it might be necessary. However, you might have mistaken lost keys to be stolen, and by using a Bluetooth tracker to track your keys, you can easily locate them without the hassle of having to get a new transponder key.

There are many things you can do to get new transponder keys and locksmiths are usually trained and equipped to deal with such situations. They have the necessary knowledge and the software to program new keys to your car without you having to go to the manufacturer or dealer directly. You can easily avoid massive bills for a service that is just as good as the service you would get from the manufacturer. Keys can be reprogrammed and cars can be rekeyed, and if you choose a locksmith that you can count on, you know that they will definitely have a solution for you. Always do your research for such contingencies so that you can rely on quality service in a stressful situation like this and you do not have to worry about being ripped off with below standard service.