24/7 Mobile Locksmith - FAQ
Over the years, our technicians, at 24/7 Mobile Locksmith, have
faced different questions from our customers. We found it right to provide you with some of the more frequent asked
questions, hoping it would help you make a better decision regarding your specific locksmith needs.
Should you need any additional information, please feel free to contact us.
Questions:
How to choose a reliable locksmith?
What is "Re-Key" and what is the difference between "Re-Keying" a lock and changing a lock?
The key for my deadbolt / door knob is "sticking", why is this happening and what can I do about it?
What is a double sided deadbolt and should I install one on my door?
I lost my car keys, where can I get a new one?
This is the second time I have locked myself out of my house, what can I do to avoid this mistake again?
What should I do if my key broke off in my lock?
What could I do if my key is stuck in ignition?
How can I get my key for my car to work?
What if my car key opens the door, turns the ignition but wouldn't start the car on? What is the reason and how can it be?
My car key has a chip in it and it turns the ignition but does not seem to start the car, why?
Where can I get a new car key if I lost my only key and where can I make a copy?
What are transponder keys and how can I know if my car key is a transponder key or not?
What are VATS keys and how can I know if my car key is a VATS key or not?
Answers:
How to choose a reliable locksmith?
When it comes to your home / business security, you must be sure that there are no mistakes. You have to make
sure that the job is done in a professional manner, and if there are any problems you have someone to talk to.
After all, you entrust the keys to your house's locks in the hands of a stranger. Here are some pointers:
- A very simple way to check if you handle a reliable locksmith is to look for the Better Business
Bureau member sign. You can click on this link to look for information from the BBB website:
http://welcome.bbb.org.
- Always make sure that the locksmith you choose is Bonded & Insured.
- Always ask for a price! - Although it is not always possible to get an accurate quote for complicated jobs.
For simple jobs such as car lockouts it is pretty reasonable to get a quote, even if it is a rough one. Don't be
satisfied with service call + labor, ask what the labor is!
- When the technician arrives make sure he has signs on his truck with the company name, company logo, and contact number.
Organized companies will make sure that their logo is well shown and their customers know how to reach them.
- Look for affiliates with known companies such as insurance companies and roadside assistance.
What is "Re-Key" and what is the difference between "Re-Keying" a lock and changing a lock?
To Rekey a lock it means that we change only the combination of the pins inside the lock. By doing so, you keep your old lock,
and the old key would not work anymore. It is also possible to have the rekey two locks on the same door alike.
24/7 Mobile Locksmith provides two new keys for free with any "Rekey" job.
The key for my deadbolt / door knob is "sticking", why is this happening and what can I do about it?
There can be many causes for this problem. The most common one is because the pins inside the lock cylinder are not flat and
therefore it is "harder" for the key to be in the "right position". The solution can be, changing the lock or rekeying the lock again.
What is a double sided deadbolt and should I install one on my door?
A double-sided deadbolt is a lock that in order to open or lock it you will need to use a key from the inside and the outside.
Unlike most dead bolts and door knobs that have a button or flip in the inside part of the lock, double-sided deadbolts are operated
with a key from both sides. IMPORTANT NOTICE: In certain counties the local fire department forbids us to install double sided dead
bolts on residential doors. One of the reasons for that is in case of emergency (e.g. fire) the tenant has to leave the apartment
quickly and may not have access to their keys, which are necessary to open this type of lock.
I lost my car keys, where can I get a new one?
For most makes and models a professional locksmith can make you a new key. For certain cars it is sometimes necessary to have special
computers to program the new key (transponder keys and high security keys). Another option is to contact your dealer.
"This is the second time I have locked myself out of my house, what can I do to avoid this mistake again?"
Two simple solutions:
- Keyless entry system - You can install a deadbolt that is operated by touch pad and/or a key, so if you lose your
keys you can always open it with a code that you have.
- Passage lock door knob - Most of the house lockouts occur when the button of the door knob is on the "lock" position and
you didn't pay attention. A very simple way to avoid this is to have a "Passage lock". Passage lock is a door knob without a key
or any lock cylinder. Just a simple door knob. If you want to lock the house you use the deadbolt. In this way there are no mistakes,
and you should not be concerned about forgetting the door knob in the "lock" position.
What should I do if my key broke off in my lock?
If you break your key off in your ignition or door lock and you do have the pieces you should keep them. Many times it is much easier for a
locksmith to regenerate the key from the broken pieces than to make it from scratch. If you don't have the key pieces, please do not try to
extract it yourself because it may cause more problems, especially when it is a car key (ignition or doors). When you break a key off in a lock,
most of the time you can still save the lock (This is relevant for door cylinder as well as ignition cylinder) but just need a new key. 24/7 Mobile
Locksmith technicians can help you with that. We can make lost car keys on spot, including transponder keys and high security keys. Just give
us a call and set up a time for us to come out, remove the key, and make you another one.
What could I do if my key is stuck in ignition?
If you get your key stuck in the ignition first thing you will want to do it leave it alone and call a locksmith. The more you mess with the ignition
the more chances you would damage the cylinder and that may be more expensive to repair or replace than just to extract the key. Most of the
time a locksmith can repair the ignition if needed but the more it is messed with the more chance you will need a new ignition.
How can I get my key for my car to work?
Sometime when a key to a car will not work it could be a few different issues, one it could be that the car key is just warn out and is not registering
with the ignition. In that case we can either tone up the key or make you another one. Another issue people are having is when they have what is
called a transponder key or a V.A.T.S. key which have chips in them. These keys sometimes may need to be reprogrammed or the chip could just be
broken and in that case a locksmith can make you a new key.
What if my car key opens the door, turns the ignition but wouldn't start the car on? What is the reason and how can it be?
When a car key opens the doors and turning the ignition cylinder but will not start the car most chances you have a key with a chip, such as transponder
key or VATS key, and the key wasn't programmed or the chip is broken. A locksmith can make you a replacement key on site and if necessary to program
the key too.
My car key has a chip in it and it turns the ignition but does not seem to start the car, why?
Sometimes this issue people have is when they have what is called a transponder key or a V.A.T.S. key which have chips in them. In case of VATS
keys you will be able to see a small black chip at the middle of the key. In case of transponder key you will not be able to see the chip because it is
actually a computerized chip that communicates with the car. These keys sometimes can need to be reprogrammed or the chip could just be broken
and in that case a locksmith can make and program you a new one.
Where can I get a new car key if I lost my only key and where can I make a copy?
Many times stores like Home depot, Wall-mart or any other hardware store can make key copies. If not a locksmith shop can copy the keys. The problem
is in case you have a key with a chip, such as VATS key or transponder key. In this case the key has to be programmed or with the right chip. One option
is to call a locksmith who provides mobile locksmith services so he can come to the car and program the key for you. Another option is to go to the dealer
or to tow the car there.
Please note: there are certain car key the car must be present in order to program the key. I.e. most ford models 2000 and up, most GM 2000 and up and
Chrysler 99 and up.
What are transponder keys and how can I know if my car key is a transponder key or not?
Transponder car keys Are keys that have computer chips imbedded in them. Car manufacturers (such as Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, Land
Rover, Daewoo, Dodge, Jeep, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, Lincoln and more use different types of chips in their keys. All transponder chips consist of copper
windings and a circuit board of some sort. When the proper key is inserted into the ignition the induction coil in the column sends out an electromagnetic field.
The field energizes the transponder chip, which in turn sends a radio frequency signal back to the vehicle's computer allowing it to start.
Transponder keys look exactly like a regular metal key, only with a cover on the top of the key. (Usually black or grey). However, other than that there is no
indication of any chip that you can see. These car keys are built in a way that the key must be programmed and registered with the vehicle or otherwise the
car will not start.
What are VATS keys and how can I know if my car key is a VATS key or not?
VATS car keys - Before transponder keys there were V.A.T.S. keys, which stands for Vehicle Anti-Theft System. These keys have a visible resistor chip in the
blade of the key. There are 15 different values to these chips. When the key is inserted into the ignition the switch reads the resistive value of the chip on the
key and sends a signal to the vehicle. VATS key can only be found in GM models.
A simple way to know if your car key is a VATS key is to take a look at the car key. A small black chip in the key will indicate that this is a VATS key.
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