Have You Lost Your Electric Key Fob? Call A Locksmith For Help!

Once upon a time starting up your car was simple. You got in, inserted the key in the ignition, turned the key, the engine started up, and away you went! These days this has gotten a bit more complicated, and the reason why is that car thieves have gotten a lot more sophisticated! While it was simple for you to start your car engine with the turn of a key, it was also simple for car thieves to do the same with a shiv, or by hot-wiring it! That unfortunate circumstance has resulted in car manufacturers needing to put better security measures in place to prevent theft. In the year 1996, a new kind of ignition system was introduced that has now become standard practice for most manufacturers- the electric key fob.
The fob contains a specialised microchip as an electronic fail-safe. This means that the vehicle won’t start if the onboard computer doesn’t detect the correct code from the microchip. It’s a great way to deter car thieves, but it has a downside, too- if you should happen to lose your electric key fob, you won’t be able to start your car and would have to contact your dealer, a time-consuming process. Fortunately, there is another way! All you have to do is run a search for auto locksmith key programming near me and you can obtain a new electric key fob and be back on the road in a fraction of the time a dealer would take!
So, how does car key programming actually work? Your replacement electric key fob contains a preset blank chip that your locksmith can reprogram to match your vehicle’s specific settings, allowing you to unlock the door, get back inside, and start your car again!
There are a few different electric key types that can be reprogrammed by locksmiths:
- Flip keys with key cards
- Integrated transponder chips
- Remote key fobs
One question that arises quite often is, can you reprogram your electric key fob yourself? While it’s true that there are a handful of models that allow you to do so, in general you can’t DIY the programming. While this may seem a bit inconvenient, if you could do it, so could the car thieves the electric key fob was invented to stop in the first place!
In any case, it is not a good idea to risk reprogramming an electric key fob on your own, you should definitely have it done by a professional locksmith that offers programming services. Your locksmith has the necessary proper equipment to reprogram a replacement chip so it perfectly matches your car’s settings. Your locksmith has confidential access to dealership and manufacturer’s secret pin codes so they can reprogram your new electric key fob with the manufacturer’s preset specifications.
Electric key fob programming is purposefully designed to be a complex process to deter theft, which is why you should get the help of a professional locksmithing service rather than attempt it yourself. They have all the necessary technology to repair or replace electric key fobs remotely or out on the roadside, and get you back in your car and on the road fast!