And that point is this: while there are many reasons to rekey your vehicle, two specific reasons top the list: enhanced security and peace of mind. In fact, these are also the two biggest reasons to rekey your home or business. Today, however, we’ll focus on why these reasons apply to your car keys in particular. 

Getting right to it, these are the two most important reasons to rekey your vehicle.

Reason #1: Enhanced Security

When your vehicle’s access points are compromised, it puts both you and any belongings you keep in the vehicle in danger. We don’t recommend leaving valuables in cars anyway, but the need for enhanced security remains. Some particular instances when you need to rekey your vehicle for enhanced security include:

• If your car keys are lost or stolen
• If someone has had access to your car keys that you don’t trust
• If you’ve lost your spare keys or loaned them out for any amount of time

While a replacement key is appropriate in certain scenarios (such as if you broke it), rekeying provides extra security since you can guarantee that no one else has had access to it. The same concept applies to programming new transponder keys or remote key fobs.

Reason #2: Peace of Mind

Another big reason is peace of mind. Even if you don’t care about any items left in the vehicle, the car itself could be at risk. You don’t want to be constantly worrying about your automobile and waking up in the middle of the night, wondering whether it is secure or not. Having a rekeyed vehicle gives you assurance that your vehicle is safe from everything but break-ins, which could happen anywhere and to anyone.

Instead of rekeying your vehicle, you could also consider changing out the locks. Rekeying is similar to this process anyway, but with new locks, you can ensure they’ll be in working order and secure for the foreseeable future. This peace of mind is especially important if you have children, the elderly or other vulnerable groups who use the car.

Whatever the reason, if you need to rekey your vehicle, you can trust A-1 Locksmith to handle it. Contact us for a quote or get your questions answered, or stop by any of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations today. 

Take rekeying locks for your car. You might know when it’s time to rekey your car locks, but do you know how the process works? Let’s go over some scenarios when you might need to rekey your locks, what tools are involved and what the process looks like. 

Car Rekeying Scenarios

First, when would you even need to have the locks for your car rekeyed? An upgrade is always an option for those looking to enhance their vehicular security, but there are certain scenarios when car rekeying is necessary (or at least a wise decision):

• Accident: If the locks in your car have been damaged due to an accident, you’ll need to have them rekeyed to ensure proper function and security. This is one of the most common reasons for auto rekeying and can be done by a dealer or locksmith.
• Vandalism: Break-ins and vandalism are other instances when a car rekeying might be in order. Both can damage the locks beyond repair. Even if the locks aren’t damaged, if someone was able to bypass them to access your vehicle, it’s time for an upgrade.
• Theft: If your car has been stolen and you were able to recover it, it’s a smart choice to have the locks rekeyed. You might not have the existing keys, or even if you do, there might be other copies floating around out there. 
• Used car purchase: If you’re buying a used car, the same logic above applies.

Car Rekeying Tools

Next, let’s cover the tools involved in car rekeying. Whether it’s a dealership or locksmith, here’s what is usually involved:

• Screwdriver, pliers and/or tweezers
• Lock pins
• Ring remover
• Cylinder follower
• Plug follower

Car Rekeying Process

Finally, let’s cover the actual process. Here’s a general breakdown of the steps involved in rekeying locks for your car, based on the service you’d receive from a professional auto locksmith:

1. The cylinder and doorknob are removed.
2. The cylinder ring retainer and plug are removed.
3. The lower lock pins are removed.
4. New lock pins and the lock key are installed.
5. The new key is tested to ensure it works.
6. All other components are reinstalled.
7. The old lock is destroyed and/or thrown away.

If you’re interested in rekeying locks for your car, give the A-1 Locksmith team a call today at (972) 284-7500 for a consultation.

One of those components is keys. Did you know that there is more than one type of car key? From mechanical and self-programmable to transponder and laser-cut, there are a variety of different keys out there that can be used for automotive rekeying. Part of the reason for this is functional; part of the reason is preference. Either way, let’s take a closer look at seven of the most popular types of car keys to see why they’re out there.

Mechanical Keys

These keys used to be prevalent in most cars, but that’s no longer the case. Mechanical keys instead show up more often as house keys, locker keys and other basic devices. You likely won’t find a mechanical key for a car unless it’s a basic or older model (or to access the door or trunk only). Why? They don’t include electronic components that the car uses to confirm the key is valid.

Programmable Remotes

Programmable remotes (or self-programmable as they’re more often called) aren’t really keys. Instead, they’re buttons that you use to lock your car, unlock your car, sound the alarm and/or open the trunk. Using special equipment, a locksmith or dealer can program one of these remotes to your vehicle to your vehicle and replace or duplicate them if necessary. As a bonus, the best automotive locksmiths guarantee their programmed keys to work and may even include a 90-day warranty.

Transponder Keys

These are the most common car keys you’ll see out there. Transponder keys are like mechanical keys, but they have electronic components in the head that communicate with the car to confirm that the key is valid. Like remotes, these keys need to be programmed to the vehicle in order to start it, so they usually require the assistance of a locksmith or dealership.

Laser-Cut Transponder Keys

Think of laser-cut transponder keys as transponder keys with a bit of extra security. These are laser-cut to exact specifications and require extensive knowledge of rekeying and locksmithing. A locksmith who specializes in automotive rekeying can often make laser-cut keys for a lot less than you’d pay at the dealership.

Remote/Key Combos

These are also more and more common these days. Remote/key combos are exactly what they sound like: a combination remote and key. You have the security of the key being programmed to your car, but the convenience of choosing between the button or key to access it.

Proximity FOBs

One of the newer car access options, proximity keys or FOBS look like remotes (and may even have buttons on them), but they can actually start the car or unlock the doors when you’re near the vehicle. You may need help replacing one of these if the battery dies, or you may just want to upgrade a basic key to a proximity FOB.

Tibbe Keys

Finally, Tibbe keys are unique in that they can’t be duplicated by anyone except a dealer or locksmith. Furthermore, they’re limited to certain types of vehicles, such as Ford and Jaguar. But they’re common enough to make it on our list.

Need your automobile rekeyed? Or perhaps you just need an extra set of keys for your car? Give us a call at 972-284-7500 and we’ll get you taken care of today.

The same goes for your car’s locks. You might think your car dealership is the best place to get your car rekeyed, but is that really the case? Let’s take a look at the difference between going to a dealership for automotive rekeying services and going to a locksmith.

Drawbacks of Using a Dealership for Automotive Rekeying

Dealerships have their own specialty: selling automobiles. While they do offer a variety of different services, they’re usually more expensive and have several other drawbacks (especially when it comes to automotive rekeying). Here are some of them:

• Lack of locksmithing expertise: Dealership staff is trained in a variety of automobile services, but usually not licensed in locksmithing or part of professional locksmithing organizations.
• More expensive: As with most services, expect to pay a premium for automotive rekeying if you take it to a dealership.
• Long wait times: If oil changes can take up to hours at a dealership, so can getting your car rekeyed. Expect to drop your car off or wait a while.
• Limited key options: Many times, your only option for automotive rekeying at a dealership is a standard factory key.
• You have to go to them: Finally, it can be inconvenient to travel all the way to your automobile maker’s dealership for just a rekeying service.

Benefits of Using a Locksmith for Automotive Rekeying

Locksmiths, on the other hand, specialize in residential, commercial and automotive locksmithing services. The best ones are specially trained and insured, as well as part of multiple professional locksmithing organizations. Here are some of the other benefits of using them for automotive rekeying:

• Locksmithing expertise: Again, a locksmith eats, breathes and lives security, so they’re the experts when it comes to locksmithing.
• More affordable: Most of the time, automotive rekeying services from a locksmith will be much cheaper than at the dealership.
• Short wait: Since each rekeying service is addressed on its own, you don’t have to worry about waiting in a line once your locksmithing technician arrives.
• High-security key options: In addition to factory keys, a locksmith can create laser-cut high-security or programmable keys.
• They come to you: Finally, locksmith companies like A-1 Locksmith will send a locksmith to you to complete your automotive rekeying service.

If you’re interested in learning more about our automotive rekeying services, give us a call today at 972-284-7500 or visit one of our 10 DFW locations.