Either you’ve misplaced your car key or it’s showing signs of wear and you’re debating whether or not you should get a new one.
It is not difficult to misplace your car key or have it stolen from you. If you do not have a spare key, you run the risk of becoming stranded on the side of the road or of being locked out of your home or place of business. The expense of replacing lost car keys can be high, but putting off the task can end up costing even more.
When is the appropriate time to get a new key made for a car? That is dependent on how frequently you use it in addition to how well it has been maintained.
Here are the 15 signs you should be aware of when is the right time to replace your old car keys
1. It Sticks
If your key is becoming increasingly difficult to turn, it is probably time to get a new one. Sticking means that you are not receiving the full advantage of each turn, which could lead to additional damage being done to your key or lock.
2. You Insert Your Key, But It Won’t Turn
If it is difficult for you to turn the key in the lock, you probably need a new one. It’s possible that this is the result of dirt building up around the notches on your key or the cylinder of your lock, which makes it more difficult for the two to contact with one another.
3. You Often Lose Your Keys Easily
Keys that are worn down to the point that they no longer resemble keys are sometimes the cause of their propensity to be misplaced or lost; they have been used for so long that their appearance has changed.
In the event that this occurs, you shouldn’t put yourself in danger by utilizing these keys because a criminal may have copied them.
4. Your Key Doesn’t Work
If all of a sudden, your key stops working, it is possible that it has been stolen by a thief and copied, or that you have accidently damaged the lock or key itself. Both of these scenarios are possible.
5. The Color is Fading
Metal car keys have a tendency to rust and lose their color over time as a result of normal wear and tear. If this keeps happening to your car keys, you should get a new set as soon as possible.
Even if locksmiths are able to buff out some stains on metal keys, those colors will ultimately come back with more use.
6. The signal strength is getting weaker
Newer models of cars can allow you to unlock your car from a distance. The distance will vary depending on what type of car you have. If you have noticed that the signal is getting weaker, take your car key in to get it fixed before it goes out entirely.
The reduced reach of your signal is a sign that you’ll be having car key issues in the future.
7. You see mold growing on the inside of your fob
Mold growth within your car remote indicates water damage, which can lead to buttons that don’t work, contacts and wires that corrode, and even remotes that don’t work at all.
If there is mold on your remote control, you shouldn’t take the chance of bringing it into an area where there is moisture. It should be replaced, and then you should bring the old one to the locksmith so that it can be recycled in an environmentally responsible manner.
8. Your key is more than six years old
The majority of vehicle keys manufactured after 1994 are cut with lasers at temperatures more than 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit utilizing a deep hole drilling method. This results in clean cuts that are free of burrs or chips.
It is imperative that you get a new key as soon as possible if your current one has any signs of wear and tear, such as visible scratches or an uneven surface made of metal.
9. It looks worn out
If the keys to your vehicle appear to be worn out, this could cause problems with both the ignition and the locks. Get a new key if any of the following characteristics apply:
- Sections of your key are smooth and shiny
- The key or lock cylinder has fractures or pits
- The head of your key is bent or broken off
10. It’s old school
If you still have a traditional, non-laser-cut car key, it might be time to upgrade to a keyless entry set and a remote start system. This is especially true if you don’t have a laser-cut key.
Thieves can easily shatter old-fashioned car keys made of metal, which can also corrode or rust with time. Additionally, these keys are susceptible to being tampered with by criminals.
11. You share your car key with someone else
It is time for you to get a new set of keys if you and another person are using the same set of keys–this is especially true if the other person wasn’t supposed to have them in the first place.
If you don’t want to buy new ones for everyone, at least remove the key from the ignition of your own vehicle so that no one will be tempted to use it without your permission.
12. Your spare key doesn’t work
Your backup set of keys should be an exact replica of your primary set, with the obvious exception that they should not have the ability to start the vehicle.
Replace all of your keys if even one of them is lost, stolen, or doesn’t work properly to unlock or lock the doors in your home.
If you don’t secure your vehicle properly, it will be simple for thieves to get inside and take off in it.
13. You lost your only spare
There are very few things that are worse than losing your only set of car keys, with the possible exception of discovering that you are unable to start or operate your vehicle as a result of this loss.
If you decide to go ahead and order a new one, you might want to think about storing it somewhere other than in the vehicle itself, such as at your workplace or at the home of a friend.
14. The maker’s name or logo is hard to read
If the marks on your car keys make it impossible for you to determine the brand of your keys, it’s probably time to get a new set produced.
If you supply A Preferred Locksmith with the make and model number of your vehicle, we may be able to locate the original maker of a key and possibly even get a copy of that key.
15. Your keys are bent
If you see that any of your car keys have begun to get crooked as a result of regular use, you should remove them and determine their thickness before purchasing new ones. If they have a thickness of less than.03 inches, it’s time to make the move!
White Plains and all of Westchester County have been served by A Preferred Locksmith for 25 years.
We guarantee that we will perform the task successfully and keep you secure, regardless of whether you require a comprehensive security overhaul or simply need to replace a difficult lock.
We really hope that reading our blog has helped you gain a better knowledge of the appropriate time to replace your car keys, and if you need any assistance, please let us know.
Recent Comments