Auto locksmiths are very talented people because they can save you from an emergency situation with your automobile. Such incidents include situations where you have lost your car keys, locked your car keys in your car, or when your key decides to break-off in the door lock.
Besides being able to repair and retrieve your car keys, a auto locksmith service can also reproduce or replace car keys. The services offered by a licensed auto locksmith can go a long way in saving you from the $129.00 an hour labor rates found at your local car dealership. But for the locksmith to be able to prevail with every auto lockouts situation, there are certain items they need to be armed with.
Duplicate Car Key Machines
Car key machines can get pricey, but there are less expensive options. We prefer those that aren’t automated, are cheaper, and can help a locksmith get their business up and running a lot quicker. Manual car key machines can be very reliable, but are only as good as the person operating the key cutting equipment. You have to pay close attention to quality. A reliable auto locksmith needs to have a good key cutting machine, but in this modern day of electronics and technology cutting car keys alone is not enough.
Car Transponder Encoding Devices
These are one of the most important tools of the trade. The transponder machines are selected by the brand of vehicle they can program. The more the vehicles a machine can interface with, the more expensive it will be. Some Mercedes Benz models can’t be duplicated. For these models, you must order the key from the dealer and it could take 30 days or more.
Programming Computer and Interface Software
They are both handy in assisting the auto locksmith to find necessary information like the code locations, car key blanks, biting, and lock-up capabilities that are vehicle and transponder specific. A laptop computer equipped with software that makes it easy to look up the needed information is what will work best for the auto locksmith. A computer helps to minimize clutter and at the same time speeds-up the process of locating the information needed.
As a customer hiring the services of a automotive locksmith, you will want to be sure that they are licensed in their field. Apart from looking at the list of locksmith services they offer, you can go a step further and ask for proof of insurance in the event your car’s electronics are damaged.
Fix Broke Off Car Key
A car key that’s broken off in the ignition, door, trunk, or has been lost can be a real hassle. Especially if you are in a hurry running errands or already late for work. Broken-off car keys pose a special kind of problem you probably haven’t considered yet. Even if you have an extra key it won’t help, unless you get the broken key debris out. Auto locksmiths can help in each of these circumstances. If you managed to get locked out of your car, a mobile locksmith will come to you and help you gain entrance to your vehicle. Likewise, if the key has broken off or been lost a new car key can be easily cut and the broken one removed. Either way, a 24 hour mobile locksmith should be the first call you make.
Malfunctioning locks on your car can be the difference between a Sunday afternoon drive and being stuck out in a blizzard. Your car key may seem to be in perfect working order, but if the locking mechanism itself has jammed, regaining access to your car may prove to be an insurmountable task. Once again, calling a 24 hour mobile locksmith is the answer. They can usually make it to you in an hour or less, replace the lock and provide you with a newly-cut key.
Of course, 24 hour auto locksmiths are never more needed when you are stuck somewhere. Getting locked out of your car while it’s still running, or worse yet, with a baby asleep inside, is a very stressful situation. The more dire the emergency, the faster a mobile locksmith is expected to arrive. That’s why timeliness is one of the hallmarks of a reputable mobile auto locksmith.
24 Hour Auto Locksmith
Nearly all 24 hour auto locksmith companies provide their customers with a mobile roadside assistance service. Replacing broken or lost keys, duplicating keys, transponder keys, extracting broken keys, and ignition and door repairs are the services that most auto locksmiths provide.
In a matter of minutes, an experienced or professional locksmith can open practically any type of car in a matter of minutes. Compared to car dealerships, the auto locksmith emergency services are more cost effective and far quicker than anything they offer. The main difference between dealerships and a professional auto locksmith is that although dealerships have access to your car’s codes and information they lack the necessary equipment needed to cut car keys. The auto locksmith has spent a great deal of money on the necessary decoding equipment so they can cut and program car keys on the spot.
One nice thing about a auto locksmith is their ability to analyze a car lock out situation and if required, provide new locks. They can also help their customers that have a set of keys which are in good working order but the locking mechanism isn’t.
In case that your car keys are stolen an auto locksmith has the capability to re-code the locks to a new combination or cut new keys. Most importantly, they can erase any stolen keys from the car’s ECU.
Emergency Auto Locksmith Services
Auto locksmith services are highly specialized in nature. Most often you will find locksmiths specializing in some niche segment. For example, you can find an expert auto locksmith, residential locksmith, and commercial locksmith all require different skill sets.
A car locksmith needs to have certain essential skills for breaking in to cars. These could be:
1. Knowledge of different types of car locks: For the cars there are different types of locks. You have the mechanical and electrical door locks, ignition locks, transponder locking systems, gear locks, steering column locks and other functionality disabling locks that can be mechanical or electronic in nature. Then, there can also be passenger overrides in the back seat or back door locks which are intended for child safety. These locks ensure your child is not able to unlock it on his own. An expert auto locksmith should be aware of these types of locks.
2. Knowledge of specific cars locking systems: For some of the locks like the transponder or ignition locks, it’s important for the car locksmith to know the electronic circuits of the car as well as a factory mechanic. For example, attending to a transponder key problem a 24 hour emergency locksmith must know how the engine management unit functions and how it’s integrated in to the electronics of the car.
3. Highly cautious connecting tools and equipment: When it comes to popping open the doors of a car, the auto locksmith needs to be especially careful to not cause any damage to the interior or the exterior of the car. He needs to be very careful while using various lock opening devices.
4. 24 hour emergency locksmith services: It’s important to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most of the time, car lock out or key issues occur when you are away from home or the office. You might need a locksmith to respond immediately which means the service provider has to be ready at all times.
These are the essential qualities a 24 hour car locksmith must possess to provide top quality services.