What to Do When You Lose Your Transponder Key

Physical locks and keys have been phased out of inclusion from the production of new cars in place of wireless remotes and push button start systems. However, many cars on the road still require physical transponder keys. When these keys are lost, replacement is necessary to operate the vehicle. Unlike older car key types, a replacement transponder key needs to follow specific steps to work properly with your car. Although transponder keys have been replaced, they were once considered a major step ahead in the fight against theft. Read on to see what steps are required when you lose your vehicle’s transponder chip key.

Prevention is the Best Solution

Prepare before you lose your key by having a spare key made. In the Tucker, Georgia area, many automotive locksmith services can be performed by a professional company. This standard, simple service can prevent a major headache if you lose your main key and are locked out of your vehicle at a crucial time. You can have one or even two spare keys made and then keep them outside of the vehicle, so that if you lose your original key, a friend can scoop it up and bring it to you to allow you to drive home. 

Of course, hindsight is 20/20 and prevention isn’t always possible. If you’ve already lost your transponder key, there are steps you can take to replace it, but it’s a more involved process than if you were to lose a regular key. Once you’ve gotten through the situation and you have a key again, make sure to have a copy created at that time to prevent the situation ever happening in the future and keep it in a safe place. 

What Makes Transponder Keys Unique?

A transponder key has the appearance of a regular car key, however, inside of the key fob is a specialized encoded microchip. This chip acts as an anti-theft device for your car. When the proper key is inserted into the ignition, a signal is dispatched between the chip inside of the key and the engine. If this communication matches, the engine will start. Transponder keys have to be paired to the individual engine they are used for. As such, these keys are more difficult to copy and require a dealership or a highly-trained professional locksmith company to duplicate. Until the right microchip makes connection with the engine, the vehicle is kept turned off by an electronic immobilizer, so even if the key turns in the ignition, the engine will refuse to start. 

The microchip that is embedded in the key fob is what makes these types of keys so much more difficult to duplicate. A new key must be purchased or created and then the chip inside must be programmed to match the code for the engine. Otherwise, the key will not make the right connection when inserted into the lock, and the vehicle will not start. Even if the key physically matches with the lock, because of the miscoding or lack of appropriate transponder chip, the immobilizer will stay active. Although transponder chips represent a step in technological lock and key security, that same security will stop you from operating the vehicle just like it would a criminal. 

If You’ve Lost Your Transponder Key

Your new transponder chip will require programming of your car to match with it so they can be paired together. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, this could be a simple process that you can perform yourself, or it may necessitate a professional hand. While some car dealerships are capable of performing this service, many will refuse to out of the worry of fraud and theft, and it is usually much costlier to recruit a dealership than to call a locksmith. That’s why a locksmith is the best choice to call if you’ve lost your transponder key or it has been stolen. They can usually come out to whatever location you’re stuck in to help you fix the situation. A locksmith is skilled in being able to duplicate vehicle keys and has the tools necessary to get the job done inexpensively. 

If You’re Experiencing a Lockout

Losing your key at the wrong time can leave you locked out of your vehicle. If this situation happens to you, the best next step you can make is to call a local locksmith like KTC Tucker Locksmith. An automotive locksmith will have the right tools and know-how to be able to assist you in not only getting back inside your vehicle with little to no damage to your door’s locks, but also to replace your missing transponder key. If you wish to change the locks in case someone has stolen your key to use later, a locksmith can handle that job as well. A locksmith is generally a better option than the dealership because the costs are lower and the service faster. 

Losing your transponder key or discovering that it was stolen can throw a wrench into your day. While their anti-theft protection is an asset for the vehicle owner, the same protection makes replacing the key a more complicated process than a key without a transponder chip. By relying on the services of a quality locksmith company to fix the situation, help you with a lockout, and replace you lost key, you can turn a bad situation around. By making sure to have extra copies of your transponder key made for the future, you ensure that the situation will not happen again.  

While a situation involving losing your transponder key is a hassle, it also represents that your car is protected against criminal activity. If you have a transponder key and you have no yet experienced a lockout, don’t wait to have a copy made if you can help it. It’s a worthy cost upfront, especially if you’re prone to losing things, because it is more expensive to replace a lost key than to duplicate a key on sight. Encoding a microchip without having one to copy makes the situation more difficult and therefore more expensive. Take proactive action regarding your transponder key today and experience smooth driving in the future.