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Channel: Automotive – Everett Safe and Lock

Transponder (chip) Keys

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Most newer vehicles are using RFID transponder technology in their keys. This is for anti-theft purposes as demanded by the insurance industry. The side effect of this mandate is that the keys are now very expensive.

 

We are able to offer transponder keys for most Japanese and American vehicles by cloning your working key. This is the most economical means to get you a working key.

 

Due to the extremely high cost of technology, we are unable to

  • Program any transponder keys purchased from car dealers or on-line sellers
  • Support any transponder keys that we do not sell
  • Furnish or program any transponder keys for European vehicles except early model Sprinters
  • Generate a key without a working sample
  • Offer any keys with the buttons in the key head.
  • Offer remotes.

 

Please call us with your vehicle information to find out if we can make your key.

 


Chrysler – Dodge – Jeep Ignitions

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We are able to furnish OEM Mopar ignitions at a better price than the dealers. These sell for nearly $100 at the dealer, we have the exact same unit that we can furnish keyed up to your key for $45 plus tax.

These are notorious for failing so when yours starts to act up, replace it right away before you’re stranded!

mopar

 

 

Worn Car Keys

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People are surprised when their lock stops working and typically blame the lock when, in fact, the problem usually the key.

Every time the key is inserted into the lock, there is a tiny amount of wear.  Realize that it is metal rubbing against metal over and over and over. Most people also never lubricate their locks so the problem of wear is escalated by this neglect.  Then one day it becomes hard to get the lock to operate, maybe jiggling the key is necessary to get the lock to turn.  Many people keep putting up with this until one day no matter how much they jiggle and shake the key, they are not getting anywhere.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound (or several pounds) of cure.

  • Keep the lock lubricated, at least once or twice per year. Do not use graphite as it plugs up the lock. WD40 makes the lock “gummy”
  • Have a spare key that you never use. Always use this key to make copies from
  • Have spare keys made at a reputable lock shop and not the mass merchandise stores such as Home Depot or WalMart.  They use inferior equipment and turn out inaccurate keys on a routine basis.
  • If you buy a car, insist that you get a good working key and if you fail to get a good key, have a locksmith get you a good key before trouble begins. Lock and key issues seldom happen at a convenient time.
  • Remember: copying a worn key gets you another worn key.

If you examine the photo below you can see the worn out key  and the accurate key we generated to solve the ignition lock problems.  When the silver plating is wearing off you can tell that wear has begun. From this photo you can see how much of the old key has simply worn away.

worn_out

 

 

Freezing Locks

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With the onset of winter weather we are often asked about frozen locks. The locks most susceptible to this issue are mailbox locks, automotive locks and padlocks. What is happening when your lock becomes frozen is this: moisture that has been allowed to build up in the lock freezes and the lock plug and its related components stop operating leaving you stuck.

The best way to deal with this issue is maintenance. A lock that has been properly lubricated has no moisture in it and consequently cannot freeze up. A high quality lubricant such as Tri-Flow used periodically will drive the moisture out and ensure consistent operation of your lock year round. Graphite is not recommended. WD40 is a very poor lubricant.

If you encounter a frozen lock cylinder you need to gently heat the cylinder to thaw the frozen water that is trapped inside. The best way is to heat the tip of the key with a match or a lighter and insert the key into the cylinder. Allow the heat from the key to transfer to the cylinder. Repeat this procedure while gently moving the key to the left and/or right until it begins to function again. Depending on the temperature, weather conditions and the amount of moisture in the lock,  this will take several matches.  The large wooden kitchen matches work the best. Becoming impatient and forcing the issue will result in a broken key and give you a new problem to deal with.

Some people don’t like the slow, gentle approach to thawing out the lock and resort to more drastic measures. This is unwise. Some have taken a torch to the lock to speed things up and have discovered the die-cast zinc cylinders have a very low melting temperature and are quickly destroyed. A heat gun is also not recommended. A hair dryer is safe but not as effective because the heat gets into the inside of the cylinder very slowly. The metal to metal contact of the heated key to the frozen cylinder is still the best approach.

When you get the cylinder operational again be sure to lubricate it to avoid this problem in the future. The lubrication may not be totally effective until the temperatures rise above freezing.

Internet Keys

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We have had many people purchase keyblanks on the internet and bring them in to be duplicated. We are seeing more and more keyblanks that are not milled to manufacturer’s specifications.  These cannot be cut correctly and the end result is that they become scrap. Effective immediately we will no longer cut customer’s internet keys. … Continue reading Internet Keys




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