Tuckahoe Locksmith Services: What to Do When Transponder Key is Lost

Even if you’re the most cautious person in the world, a lost key is a reality that can’t be avoided at times. If it’s your transponder car key that has mysteriously gone missing, you don’t have to worry about fully losing access to your vehicle. Automotive locksmiths are a cheaper and faster alternative to going straight to your local dealership – they have all the training, skills and equipment to cut a new key for you, and fast.

Before you go on to look for a credible lock and key professional in your area, here are a few things to remember about replacing a lost transponder key.

The technical side of transponder key creation

Automotive technologies like your car’s transponder system are always evolving to address the latest security concerns. Older vehicles were very easy for a mechanically-savvy thief to hotwire or break into – but newer models curbed this trend by adding various features that make it much harder to open a door and power on a vehicle.

With these new security innovations at play, trying to tamper with a transponder system is very difficult to do. As such, unless you have the right equipment for the job, copying a transponder key is very tricky. All of them will have computer chips fitted to their plastic heads. With the push of a button, the transponder chip will transmit a signal to the car – only if it sends the right responses will the car unlock or power on. On top of that, each key has its own special cut, designed to fit the ignition.

In other words, in order to replace your transponder key you would need to:

1. Cut the key blade to the right configuration
2. Program a key’s chip to match the car’s overall transponder system

The only way to do this is with specialized equipment, which automotive locksmiths should have with them.  

What to do before calling a locksmith

Whenever you’re needing to replace a lost transponder key, it’s useful to provide your chosen auto locksmith business with a couple of essential details that will make their job easier all around:

Your car’s chassis number. This can be found on your vehicle’s registration documents, and will be used to cut the key blade.

A chip code. You would have received a code card from your dealership upon buying your vehicle – that’s where you’ll find a key’s chip code. If you no longer have this with you, don’t fret: it just means there will be an extra step to the process or programming your new transponder key.

Proof of car ownership: It’s a standard procedure for locksmiths to check up on this – they need to know that the vehicle hasn’t been stolen. Keep your car registration and identification documents handy in case a locksmith asks these of you.

How will a locksmith replace my key?

So now it’s time for the locksmith to create a new transponder key for your vehicle. There are different ways they might do this, depending on the type of information you were able to provide.

First, they will cut the key using your car’s chassis number. That’s fairly straightforward – it’s with the transponder system that you’ll find different approaches. An auto locksmith might program your key using the chip code provided, or they may need to reprogram the car’s ECU unit to respond to it. In some cases, the only way to get a signal match on both sides is for an auto locksmith to reprogram the car’s entire transponder system.

Finding the right professional for the job

Hiring a credible locksmith will ensure your issues are dealt with in a highly professional manner. Like we said previously, their expertise is usually very affordable – and it’s extremely rare for an automotive lock and key solution to set you back thousands of dollars. Also, many locally-based professionals will offer 24-hour services in case you’ve found yourself in an emergency that is putting your security at risk, like lockouts or urgent repairs.

But how can you know you are hiring the right professional? Here are a few quick pointers:

1. Ask people you know and trust if they’ve used any auto locksmith services recently. If possible, get a couple of recommendations that you can check out closely.
2. If you can’t get referrals, google a few businesses in your area, check if their addresses are legitimate (some scammers might list a random location to trick you into paying up), read up on online reviews (Angie’s List is a good place to go), and check if any complaints have been placed through your local Better Business Bureau.
3. Always consult with a locksmith before hiring them. We recommend scheduling an appointment to talk to them in person (many professionals won’t charge you for this), but you can also clarify your concerns over the phone. Get a full price quote for your key replacements, and ask about their minimum callout charges too.
4. Credible businesses won’t balk at you for requesting license and insurance details and a list of client references in the area. Stay away from any company who answers the phone using generic terms, and refuses to give a full company name upon request.
5. Never pay full price upfront and be wary of locksmiths who ask for cash payments.     

And if you happen to be around Tuckahoe, VA, talk to one of our experts. Tuckahoe Locksmith Services is a local operation, with licensed and insured professionals who know all about automotive lock and key issues. A lost transponder key is no match to our expertise, and we can always help with other security concerns too. Price quotes and consultations are free of charge, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

No matter where you live, however, we hope that this blog post helps you plan for the worst case scenario. If you ever lose your transponder key, you know how to find a trustworthy locksmith in your location.