Your car is not just a means of transportation; it’s also a valuable asset that needs to be protected. Car theft and break-ins can happen anywhere, anytime, but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

Here are some essential tips for keeping your car secure:

1. Park in Well-Lit Areas: When parking your car, choose well-lit areas, especially at night. Brightly lit areas are less attractive to thieves as they prefer darkness to carry out their activities unnoticed. If possible, park your car in a garage or a secure parking lot with surveillance cameras.
2. Lock Your Doors: This might seem obvious, but many car thefts occur because owners forget to lock their doors. Always double-check that your doors are locked before leaving your car unattended, even if you step away for a few minutes.
3. Use a Steering Wheel Lock: Steering wheel locks are highly effective deterrents against car theft. These devices make it nearly impossible for thieves to steer your car, even if they manage to break in. Investing in a quality steering wheel lock can provide your vehicle with an extra layer of security.
4. Install an Alarm System: Installing a car alarm system can significantly reduce the risk of theft or break-ins. Modern alarm systems include motion sensors, remote control, and smartphone integration, allowing you to monitor and control your car’s security remotely.
5. Hide Valuables: Avoid leaving valuables like laptops, smartphones, or bags visible inside your car. Thieves are more likely to target vehicles with valuable items in plain sight. If you must leave belongings in your car, store them in the trunk or out of sight under the seats.
6. Use a Tracking Device: Consider installing a GPS tracking device in your car. These devices can help authorities locate your vehicle in the event of theft, increasing the chances of recovery. Some tracking devices offer additional features such as remote engine shutdown and real-time alerts.
7. Be Mindful of Spare Keys: Avoid hiding spare keys inside your car, as thieves know all the common hiding spots. Instead, keep spare keys in a secure location at home or with a trusted friend or family member.
8. Stay Vigilant: Be aware of your surroundings and immediately report any suspicious activity to authorities. If you notice someone loitering around your car or behaving suspiciously, trust your instincts and take action to protect yourself and your vehicle.

Following these tips can significantly Reduce The Risk Of Car Theft and break-ins. Remember that proactive measures are key to keeping your car secure, so don’t wait until it’s too late to take action.

Stay vigilant, stay informed, and prioritize the safety of your vehicle at all times.

Automobiles have made life a lot easier by reducing traveling time anywhere. However, it takes losing a simple key to lose all control of your car can become extremely annoying.

It is even more frustrating when you are pursuing a deadline. For example, imagine that it is time to pick your children up from school, and you lose your car keys. You are stuck in two problems simultaneously, and it’s challenging to sort both out at once.

For those of you looking for answers to this problem, we have several options you can choose from to solve it. For obvious reasons, we have included the benefits and drawbacks of each solution.

What To Do If Your Car Keys Are Stolen?

The moment you notice that your car keys have been stolen, you should call the police. Following that, you should get the car key replaced. The car’s engine unit should also be wiped to prevent the stolen key from being used again.

It is essential to take this step because the key contains a specific chip to the car’s engine. Wiping the memory will protect the car from being stolen.

1. Call An Auto Locksmith

These are the kind of locksmiths trained specially to deal with car keys and locks. An auto locksmith is your best option in such a situation. They carry blank keys and recording machines within their vehicles. Therefore, they’ll be able to help you design a new key straightaway.

Why Should I Opt For An Auto Locksmith?

Most auto locksmiths can arrive at where you are stuck and help you out straight away. However, it would be best if you kept some things in mind while calling a locksmith:

• Model and make of your vehicle
• Registration number
• The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that you can find on your V5C document
• ID to confirm that it is your vehicle
• Your location

Auto locksmiths are also a great option because they carry key programming equipment. This makes it easier for them to make new keys without outsourcing the parts.

Plus, opting to get the key replaced by the car dealership means a wait of several days. An auto locksmith can do the same job within a few hours.

2. Check Your Insurance

In case of a stolen car key, you can check if your car insurance company policy covers such claims. Some companies do, and that too almost instantly.

A more detailed insurance policy usually covers the cost of reprogramming the engine control unit. Depending on the level of policy you have, a policy can cover

• Fare for a taxi to retrieve a new pair of keys
• A courtesy car that you can use until you get a new key made
• The company itself can send a locksmith your way

3. Call Your Breakdown Service

This option is usually the slowest one. Most breakdown services cannot determine when they will be able to reach you, primarily if you do not get classified as an emergency.

Plus, the type of vehicle and key you have is also a factor in case of breakdown services. They might not have the coding equipment needed for your car at all! What’s even more, some breakdown services outsource work to an auto locksmith. In such cases, it is better to cut out the middleman.

Most technicians at such services do not have the experience of an auto locksmith either, so you might as well call a trained professional.

4. Call Your Local Car Dealership

This is also a slow (and not-so-budget-friendly) option for a key replacement. Most car dealerships do not possess the adequate specialist equipment that auto locksmiths carry.

The car dealership will likely order a blank key fob, which, coupled with the delay needed to contract the required equipment, will take an insane amount of time.

Again, the dealership will likely hire an auto locksmith, so it is better to cut out the middleman and save money.

5. Utilizing A Local Garage

If you opt for a local garage, you will probably face similar problems as you do so with your local car dealership. Likely, they will not have the equipment needed to replace your key and reprogram your engine.

If you want to replace your car key quickly, you should not opt for this option.

Bottom Line

Losing your car key is an annoying feat any day of the year. If you are stuck in such a situation and are looking for a solution, you have come to the right place. This guide includes all the different options you can opt for in case of lost/stolen car keys. We hope you will find the answers to what you are looking for.

Having a problem with your car’s door locks is a typical occurrence. However, we’ll go through some of the most prevalent causes and what you can do to fix them. If you have time, check out our blog!

What’s Wrong With Your Power Door Lock?

A variety of factors may cause problems with a door lock. Let’s look at how the power door locking mechanism works first.

The key fob or automobile central locking remote transmits a signal to a receiver connected to the engine control unit when utilizing a power locking system. The solenoid on each door will then be activated to lock or unlock at the same time by a receiver.

Key Fob Problems

• Dead key fob battery

Replacement of key fob batteries sometimes is all that is needed to fix door lock problems. Coin-sized batteries are standard. However, it is essential to check your owner’s handbook for the correct dimensions.

• Key fob malfunction

Key fobs that don’t work are more difficult to fix than batteries that have run out. After changing the batteries, you may discover that the issue persists. For that, you’ll need to consult an expert. The expert will link the fob to a computer to ensure the correct signal response. You’ll have to get a new one if it breaks.

How Can I Fix This?

Although most key fobs come with a manual key, updating the batteries is always good. Keep a replacement battery on hand, and acquire yourself a manual spare key if your fob doesn’t come with a manual key (if possible).

• Weather Conditions

Car and residential doors might malfunction in frigid temperatures. This is caused by ice adhering to the outside and handle of your automobile door, making it difficult to open or shut. To help melt the ice surrounding your door or handle, pour warm but never boiling water around the frozen area. Keep any moist areas from the water you spilled dry, so you don’t have extra ice.

• Failure Of A Solenoid

A solenoid within your vehicle doors receives a signal from the buttons on your key fob. An electrical signal is translated into mechanical movement by a solenoid and utilized to move a steel rod through a keyhole. The inner door panel must be removed to replace a solenoid in a door that isn’t locking or unlocking.

Broken rod or connection:

There is always the potential that one of the rods mentioned above or (more probable) plastic connections has cracked, which is less likely than an electrical fault. The hardware network connects the door panel switches to the door handles and locks inside and outside.

Plastic may harden and crack with time, or muck may have leaked into the door from the window and gathered there due to the window being repeatedly opened and closed. As with the solenoid replacement, diagnosing and fixing this issue will need removing the inner door panel, but any problems will be evident to the unaided eye.

Door Lock Actuator Problems

Your car’s doors are locked and unlocked by the actuator. Locking and unlocking problems might occur if the actuator becomes damaged and cannot send signals to the vehicle. Consult a mechanic to see whether the actuator is functioning correctly.

• Defective Wiring

The door controls might fail if the wiring in the automobile door system is faulty. Faulty wiring is most often the result of insulation wear. Your car’s doors will open and close correctly if you take it to a repair shop for a new electrical system.

• Blown Fuse

If the power locking system is connected to the car’s electrical system, it will function properly. Short-circuit or electrical damage may be prevented by clicking a fuse or numerous fuses to the system. It’s good to check the fuse for the door locks before going to the dealer for power door inspections. When a fuse blows, you’ll hear a popping sound and smell burning.

A simple way to detect whether the little metal squiggle in the center of a fuse is connected or not is to check. After confirmation, replacing the fuse with a new one of the same amperage as the previous one is recommended.

When It Comes To Car Lockouts, Can An Auto Locksmith Help?

Yes, that’s a straightforward solution to your question. An Auto Locksmith can help you with any problems with your vehicle’s lock mechanism, including a damaged or broken lock, a jammed lock that won’t open, a stuck car key in the ignition, or even if you’ve misplaced your car keys. Auto Locksmiths can also help you if you have a lock-related issue with most other kinds of vehicles.

Bottom Line

Regardless of the cause, you’ll want to get your vehicle door lock difficulties fixed as soon as possible. You need to know what’s wrong before you can fix it. Even if you may know what to do in the event of a vehicle lock failure, we always recommend consulting an auto locksmith or an expert to get everything functioning again.

Yes, it is possible for a car locksmith or automotive locksmith to make a new key by coming to your car. However, it is pertinent to several factors, including being able to prove if you own the vehicle.

While you can go to a dealership to get a set of replacement keys, the fact is that it will require getting it towed, so that’s an extra cost associated with the process. Plus, most car dealerships charge you more than a professional automotive locksmith. So, the latter is a much more sensible choice.

Why Choose an Automotive Locksmith?

One of the reasons why you should hire an Automotive Locksmith as compared to going to a dealership is because dealerships use locksmiths too. The locksmith they outsource the process to are often 50% less expensive, and that allows them to add a 50% margin to the process.

So, you’ll end up paying more for the same job at a dealership. Furthermore, it is important to factor in the fact that you’ll be paying to get the vehicle towed to the dealership, which can cost up to $500!

You Don’t Need the Original Key

In some cases, you might need the original key, but that isn’t always the case. Most automotive locksmiths have the knowledge and equipment to fashion a key just based on what they are able to scan off the vehicle. That said, having the original key can speed up the process and even make it cheaper.

If the original key is not available, it requires that the automotive locksmith get the required keycode off the vehicle. Each key code is unique to the vehicle. Plus, if you have an entirely wireless FOB that does not require any metal contact with the vehicle, then getting the key code requires more work, and you’ll need to provide more information to prove your ownership of the car.

An Automotive Locksmith Can Help You at Any Time

Many established automotive locksmiths work 24/7. Unlike a dealership who may be available from 9 am to 5 pm, a locksmith can be hired at 3 am. Emergency services do not mean that a locksmith’s service is going to be poor or incomplete.

Established locksmiths travel with everything required to make a new key or to help people enter their vehicles if the key was left inside. However, as always, you’ll need to prove ownership of the car.

When you want to hire an Emergency Automotive Locksmith, you’ll need to call them up, give them your location, type of vehicle, VIN number, name and some other information. Once they have established that you own the vehicle and are genuinely in need of help, a team will be there to help you.

Conclusion

Ordering a new key made for your vehicle can cost anywhere from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. The more tech-reliant your car’s security is, the more expensive it is going to be. However, if you are not sure as to what has to be done, always call a professional automotive locksmith to help you out.

Yes, it is possible to make a car key based on the VIN number of the vehicle, but it depends! Our entire lives revolve around our cars, which we don’t realize until the car isn’t working or we can’t get into it. Many of us would not even be able to work without a vehicle. That is why losing your set of car keys can be so devastating. Not having an extra key can make things more stressful. However, if you ever lose the only set of car keys, don’t panic because a copy can still be made even if the original isn’t with you.

What Type of Replacement Key Do You Need?

The first step is to figure out what type of key you need to be made. If you own a pre-1981 vehicle, you’ll need a simple key that’s cut out of a key block. The later model cars have transponder keys. The keys are programmed to work with the car with safety chips embedded in them. So, even if you get the transponder key cut, it will not be able to turn the car on without it being paired to the car.

The third type of key is the smart car key. Think of them as a sort of remote, which isn’t like traditional keys because they look like a key fob but don’t require conventional means of ignition like turning the key.

The Original Key Isn’t Present

The option here will be to return to the car dealer to get a replacement. However, the key is going to be expensive, especially if the vehicle has to be towed. That said, a more affordable solution is to hire a professional automotive locksmith. Many established car deals have a Professional Automotive Locksmith working for them who handles the task of cutting and programming the key for 50% of what they charge you.

A seasoned locksmith will be able to make a key for you without needing the original. However, you’ll need to supply the locksmith with the required information.

What Does the Locksmith Need to Know?

The year, make, and model of the car will need to be provided to the Locksmith. Also, prove that you are the owner of the vehicle with your title and registration. The VIN will also need to be provided.

The VIN number is usually printed on the driver’s side of the car’s doorpost, or it will be stamped on to a metal plate located on the driver’s end of the dashboard. The key identification number can also be found in the vehicle’s user manual, but not having it isn’t going to be a problem. The objective is to try and prove to the locksmith that you own the vehicle.

Conclusion

While it is possible to make a car key via just the VIN number, it is essential to prove that you own the vehicle. An automotive locksmith is your best bet regardless of the type of car you own.  The second best is the car’s dealership.

Not very long ago, it was a nightmare for anyone who would have misplaced or Lost Their Only Car Key today; things aren’t too different. Most people tried to make sure that they had multiple copies of their car keys. However, as technology has advanced, so has the associated key, which has also become more expensive to replace.

How your car key is replaced depends on many factors, notwithstanding the fact that in some cases, it takes time to replace the key. In this article, we’ll take a look at five primary types of car keys and how they can be replaced.

The Traditional or Old-School Car Key

It is a purely mechanical car key, which isn’t very secure but works perfectly. Put it in your ignition and turn to start your car.

If you lose the key, just about any automotive locksmith can replace it. It also only takes a couple of minutes to retool a new key right there and then. Unless you have a very obscure lock and key system that dates back several decades, most locksmiths should be able to help you. The cost of a replacement key is also a few dollars.

The Car Key Fob

Back in the day, the first-generation fobs were more of a convenience. Press a button to lock and unlock your car, but the vehicle still used a traditional key.

People who lose their fob can still unlock the car and get it started. Plus, fobs are cheap to buy aftermarket and easily programmable. So, no special tools needed. They are readily available at dealerships and automotive parts store.

The FOB with Switchblade Key

Many auto manufacturers combined the two, i.e., a fob with the key to into a spring-loaded key that folds back into the fob. Replacing the switchblade fob is comparatively expensive. You’ll be looking at paying somewhere around a hundred dollars. The good news is that if you visit a car dealership or a professional locksmith, they can easily cut and program a new key for you, which takes a couple of hours, though.

The Transponder Car Key

It was introduced back in the 1990s as an anti-theft device. The transponders are now the ignition keys with a plastic head with a computer chip. Each time they wirelessly connect, it allows the ignition to fire up the engine.

Losing it means that your vehicle will need to be towed to the dealership, you’ll have to prove ownership of the vehicle and then buy the key. The new key will need to be electronically paired with the vehicle.

The Smart Key

Referred to often as the “keyless ignition,” the smart key is directly associated with the start button of the vehicle. It works via a proximity sensor in the car, which knows when the key is nearby. It will then unlock the vehicle and be started by pushing a button.

If the key is lost, it will have to be taken to the dealership. The key will then have to be ordered and paired with the car. It is amongst one of the most expensive types of Automotive Keys to replace, costing an average $400.

One of the first things we learn as locksmiths are the fact that our service can be misused. If anything, there are countless cases of impersonators hiring a locksmith to gain access to someone else’s vehicle or home. That’s why, as a Standard Operating Procedure, every locksmith in North America starts by verifying the identity of the person who has hired them.

Whether you call a locksmith to Unlock a House, Shop or a Car, we will often ask you to prove that you own the property or have the right to be on it. We’ll ask if the title is in your name, or does the registration of the car match your driver’s license? Is the home address shown on the driver’s license etc?

Now if you don’t have something that can verify you as the owner of the property or for one that you have the right to enter, then we’ll ask that you bring someone who has the right. Furthermore, if you can’t produce another party, then we need to find other ways to identify your link to the property like a photo ID, property records etc.

While we admit that verifying a person’s identity can be a pain and often time-consuming, it is a necessary part of the job.

Does the Law Require Locksmiths to Verify Ownership Before Gaining Entry on Your Behalf? 

In the majority of American states, a locksmith or a Locksmith Company does not legally need to verify ownership or rights to the property. However, credible companies take extra steps to ensure that they only work for people who have the right to be on the property.

That said if a locksmith company does not verify your identity, it is a red flag that you are now dealing with perhaps an uncertified and even unskilled locksmith.

How Can a Homeowner Provide Proof of Ownership to a Locksmith Company? 

Here is how ownership can be proven: 

• Provide the locksmith with your drivers’ license that has the address of the property on it.
• You can provide a photo ID that has your mailing address
• Show business records like a website, business card etc. anything that will show your position and name of the business
• Show the company a copy of your rental agreement or lease
• The locksmith should be able to hook you up to the local country property records department to verify your name, and then you can provide an ID when onsite that matches that name.
• If you have just bought the home, and currently don’t have the keys then provide the company with a closing statement.

Proving Automotive Ownership 

• In most cases, all that is needed is the car’s registration, title or proof of insurance along with a photo ID.

Now even after all this caution, things just aren’t as secure as they should be. That said it is worth trying mainly because that’s something a certified locksmith is committed to doing just so that they don’t end up breaking the law. However, in 90% of cases, we get it right and most if not everyone understands the reason why these steps are taken.

What is Considered Not Valid Proof of Ownership for a Locksmith Company? 

• Generally, a locksmith will not accept phone authorizations since anyone can be on the other end of the phone.

• Also, email authorizations aren’t accepted because the email could be sent by anyone.

While the extra steps that locksmiths take may make the property owner uncomfortable or hesitant, but it is in the best interests of those who own the property. Think would you want someone entering into your home without an authorization?

Many times people complain that we are asking for personal information when it isn’t our job. At times people hang up and then they call another locksmith to try their luck. However, no credible locksmith service will let you in without verifying your identity and link to the property.

Conclusion 

When you Hire a Locksmith Service, always make sure that you have a way of proving your link or ownership to the property. If you are a vehicle owner, then things are easier because registration documents should be able to prove that you own the vehicle. However, things can be tricky for a homeowner or office owner.

That said a credible Locksmith Company should be able to work with you to verify your identity before letting you in. Think of it as a mandatory step to protect you!

Yes, an Automotive Locksmith Can Come To Your Car and then proceed to craft a new set of keys for the vehicle after Verifying The Vehicle’s Ownership. However, you need to understand that this is pertinent to many factors, including proving that you are the vehicle’s legal owner. Even though it is possible to visit a dealership to get a set of replacement keys, the vehicle will need to be towed, which adds extra cost to the process. Not to mention that dealerships, regardless of the make or year of the vehicle, are notoriously expensive. That’s why most people opt to hire a locksmith who can get to their location and make a new key on the spot.

Call An Automotive Locksmith

You should always Call a Local Automotive Locksmith like us because even the most prominent dealerships use services like ours. Most dealerships don’t have an in-house locksmith. The job is usually outsourced to a professional that charges 50% less than them, giving them (the dealership) a 50% margin. That’s why you will end up paying more for the job at a dealership.

You will also have to pay so that the vehicle is towed to the dealership. Dealerships will not send a guy to your location, so add another $500 to the bill!

The Original Key Isn’t Needed

Depending on the security used by your vehicle, the original key may or may not be needed. Many automotive locksmiths have the equipment and knowledge to make a key based on the data they get from the vehicle. However, having the original key can help to speed up the process and also make it cheaper.

If you don’t have the original key, the automotive locksmith will need to get the required keycode from the vehicle. Every key code is unique to the vehicle. Also, if you have one of the latest vehicles with a wireless FOB, which does not require contact with the vehicle, getting the code is harder and more time-consuming.

Automotive Locksmiths Can Help You 24/7

Many automotive locksmiths like us operate 24/7. On the other hand, dealerships don’t operate beyond 5pm, and that’s another reason you should always have an automotive locksmith on quick dial. Our emergency locksmith service ensures that we can reach you regardless of the time of day or night. Our team travels with everything needed to make keys for most vehicles. That said, we strongly advise that you have everything to prove ownership of the vehicle before calling us or any other locksmith for that matter.

When you call an automotive locksmith, give them your location. You will also need to give them your name, the vehicle’s VIN number and a bit more information. Once they get all the information, they will get to your location. Fortunately, the process of making a key for most vehicles is quick and relatively easy.

Conclusion

The cost associated with Getting a New Key made for a vehicle can range from a few dollars to a few hundred. The more tech-heavy the car’s security is, the more expensive getting a key made can end up being. However, an automotive locksmith still works out to be cheaper than taking your car to a dealership, even if it is a heavily tech-reliant security system.

Every vehicle has a unique code for identification, that special code is called the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) which is assigned to it. This code is associated with every kind of information needed for a particular automobile. During the entire lifetime of the vehicle, the VIN remains the same. It has all the important past and present information regarding the vehicle which helps the current and future buyer in every aspect.

VIN was first introduced in 1954 but every automobile manufacturer used different patterns of codes hence it was not so useful and it was not registered under a certain department. In 1981, the national highway traffic safety administration of the USA set a standardized format for VIN to make it the same for every vehicle.

What is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?

The vehicle identification number is the label code for every particular automobile to make it separable from others. Every vehicle has a unique and new VIN which does not correspond to any other vehicle. It helps in:

Tracking the snatched or stolen vehicle

VIN can help the owner to track the snatched or stolen vehicle. VIN is registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which can easily locate the vehicle on the map.

Claiming the warranty

In case of a warranty claim, VIN helps the owner to ask for a repair or replacement from the respective manufacturer. For this, a valid contract must exist. VIN helps in tracking the previous records of claims.

Register the vehicle

VIN is needed when the owner has bought a brand-new car. The registration process needs the VIN along with a personal identification card, manufacturer details, and purchase bill.

How To Find The VIN Of Your Vehicle

VIN is often written on the lower left side of the dashboard, in front of the steering wheel. In some vehicles, it is printed on the engine as well.

1. It has 17 characters. According to the standard code policy letters like Q, O and I can’t be used in the code because they can be misunderstood by the numeric 1 and 0.
2. The first digit of the code stands for the origin of manufacturing. From 4th up to 8th digit tells the vehicle description which includes the details of the car body, model, and type. The 9th digit is the check digit. From 10th up to the last character of the code is considered as the vehicle identifier section (VIS).
3. These characters are the important ones who reveal the more specific information about the engine and other installed components.

Why Does It Matter?

The VIN is the fingerprint of the car. It is considered the most important code when it comes to a vehicle. It can disclose the following information regarding the vehicle.

1. It can pull out the vehicle history report
2. It can disclose information that is not told

Why Does The Locksmith Need The VIN?

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is needed by the locksmith in the following situations.

To Identify The Real Owner

Whenever you call a locksmith for any purpose, the locksmith always crosses check the VIN with the person to identify if the vehicle belongs to him or anyone else. He must check before providing the service and make sure that he is dealing with the real owner. In some cases snatched or theft automobiles are brought to locksmiths to change the lock so that the robber gets access to the vehicle easily.

To Make Duplicate Keys When Needed

When the owner loses the original keys or locks the keys inside the vehicle, a locksmith is needed to help him in this situation. For duplication, the VIN is needed along with the registration number and personal ID card. This information is important when you want to have a duplicate key.

Other Reasons Of Importance For VIN:

To check the history of the vehicle when buying a used car

When you are buying a used car, it is important to know about the history. VIN helps the buyer with all the history of the vehicle such as:

1. If it is insured or not
2. If it was damaged in an accident
3. If it is stolen from someone

In case of any repair, VIN is needed

Whenever a repair or maintenance is needed, the Vin can help in choosing the correct alternate parts. It also helps in recollecting the previous repair history.

Easy to track the stolen car

God forbid you have lost the car in snatching or robbery, VIN can help you locate the car with the help of authorized departments and recover the vehicle with them.

Bottom Line

It is important to know the VIN of your automobile to easily cater to any emergencies. Have your VIN ready when you call a locksmith for any service because no VIN means no assistance.

Those who ride motorcycles know how annoying it is to lose your key. Surprisingly, people find themselves in such situations more than one would expect. Since the key chains do not usually have a lot of extra add-ons, it’s much easier to lose one and then have no more to replace it.

Therefore, it is always better to have a backup plan when you know there is no way to recover your misplaced key.

Addressing the main question, what should one do when One Loses a Motorcycle Key? The following are some of the things you can do when you find yourself in such situations:

1. Access the ignition cylinder code. It becomes useful to the blacksmith when drafting a new key
2. Taking the entire ignition system to the blacksmith.
3. Replacing the ignition cylinder
4. Giving access to the blacksmith to the VIN so that the new key can be drafted.

Keeping all these things in mind, we have developed this detailed guide. It covers in detail everything you can do to get out of this mess if you ever find yourself in it.

What Are The Essential Steps To Replace Or Get A New Motorcycle Key?

1. Getting Access To The Cylinder Code

There are many instances where the bike you buy may come without a key. This usually happens when the bike you purchase is quite old. However, do not let that hold you back from getting that bike, as it is not that complex to get a new key.

1. The expenses are not much either. It ultimately depends on what model, make, and year of building your bike. Newer bikes may require a bit more.
2. The simplest and quickest way to get a new key made for your motorcycle is to access the cylinder code. For this, you will first have to locate the ignition cylinder. In typical bikes, it is found between the tachometer and speedometer.
3. You can find a shaft where the key goes on the ignition cylinder. Almost right next to it is a 3- or 4-digit code. This is the cylinder code. (In some cases, you may need to loosen the shaft to be able to see it)
4. Jot the number down and take a picture. This way, if you accidentally write the wrong number, you can ask the blacksmith to read it off the picture themselves. Disclaimer, You might have to clean the cylinder a little to see the code properly.
5. The code helps blacksmiths determine the type of key that needs to be made by following a set of tables and values.

2. Taking The Entire Ignition Cylinder

Some ignition cylinders tend not to have any identification codes at all. This can put you in a pickle. However, although it may require a little more work, there is a simple solution.

What you can do in such situations is take out the entire ignition cylinder and take it to a nearby blacksmith. They’ll take a look at the shaft and deduce the kind of key that needs to be drafted.

While taking the cylinder out, there are usually two things you need to be careful of:

1. Wiring harness
2. Two bolts

Both these things keep the cylinder in place. You will have to clip the wire and take off the bolts to get it out. To ensure these things do not get lost, label the wire and place both bolts in a plastic bag for storage.

Taking the entire cylinder may be a bit more expensive than using the cylinder code, but in situations where there is no code, there isn’t much one can do.

3. Replacing The Entire Ignition Cylinder

When there is no code and you cannot find a blacksmith who can draft keys using the cylinder, purchasing an entirely new cylinder is the ultimate option.

1. For this procedure, remove the current ignition cylinder first using the steps mentioned above. Next, try finding a new cylinder online using the year, make, model, and type of the part needed.
2. Be very careful when looking for cylinders only. Many people claim their cylinders are universal and work in every motorcycle. Although technically true, you will have to rewire the entire cylinder, which is highly annoying.
3. If you can wait a few days for the parts to arrive in the mail, this option is highly appropriate for you.

4. Give Your Dealership Access To Your VIN

If all other options have gone down in vain, your final choice is to call your dealership. This is probably the most costly option out of all of these, but you don’t have many options if it comes to it.

Locate Your VIN, usually found on the steering neck under the instrument panel. Once you have found it, take it and some proof of ownership of the bike to your dealership.

The dealership will check your proof of possession and, once confirmed, either give you a new key or an entirely new ignition cylinder with a key.

Recommendation

Elite Locksmiths is your go-to Locksmith Service Provider in any situation. This is a licensed, registered, and locally owned company that provides honest and affordable services. You can call them without hesitation whenever you have an issue with a lock (such as your motorcycle).