What to Do When a Transponder Key is Lost

A transponder key is an innovative and convenient master of ensuring that your vehicle is protected against unwanted access. Transponder key technology involves an individualized electronic chip that is manufactured into the head of each transponder key. This technology has been around for many years and has proven to be an effective antitheft measure as well as providing convenience for the vehicle owner by allowing you to remotely lock and unlock their doors, open the trunk, and sometimes even start their vehicle.

Just like with any technology, however, there are pros and cons. Transponder keys are effective at protecting your vehicle. However, one drawback, is the risk of the transponder key going missing. Transponder keys can be lost just like any other key, leaving you effectively unable to use your vehicle and requiring a locksmith to get involved to assist you.

Preventative Measures

Everyone has misplaced her keys at one time or another. One of the most important things you can do to ensure that you will never have to deal with a transponder key induced lockout is to have one or more spare keys made. Having a spare transponder key made by locksmith is a fast, easy, and affordable service that can save you major headache down the road.

Once you have your transponder key spare copy, be sure to always keep it in a  safe place where you will be able to retrieve it easily in case of an emergency. Depending on your preferences, this could be a nearby relative, a trusted friend, or a close neighbor. You could also keep your extra key at home, as long as you're sure you'll be able to access in case of a lockout.

If Your Transponder Key is Already Lost

Preventative measures are all well and good, but what if you already found yourself in a situation where transponder key has been lost or stolen? What do you do that especially if it in the middle of the night or on a holiday? First, be sure to take a deep breath and keep a level head. Panicking won't do you any good. In fact, it may lead you to taking irrational action that you’ll regret later, such as breaking a window. These kinds of impulsive actions can leave you injured or at the very least shelling out more money to repair the damages.

Instead, there are a few actions that you can take. If your vehicle doors don't automatically lock, then try all of the doors and windows to ensure that there are no entry points. If one of your windows is cracked, and you have access to a long implement such as a coathanger, you may be able to reach your vehicle’s lock to pop it up and open the door. However, this doesn't solve the problem of actually starting your vehicle and driving it. Being inside of your vehicle instead of standing on the side of the road or in the parking lot can give you a clear frame of mind.

Calling a Locksmith for Assistance

9 times out of 10, the right course of action to take is to call a professional locksmith company. If you never dealt with locksmith company before, however, how do you determine the right company to choose? It's best to do a search of all local locksmith companies in your area. Even if you're on a time crunch, you don't want to rush into choosing the first company that you see just because you're desperate. While most companies are on the up and up, certain unscrupulous companies exist that just want to scam you out of your money.

To avoid such scam companies, investigate your top choices by comparing the information on their websites and asking them about their services and prices over the phone. You want a dependable company with a trustworthy reputation. Duplicating a transponder key is not as simple as with a regular key. Due to the specialized electronic chip in the key fob, a locksmith has to be capable of programming the key to match your ignition system.