Things Most People Do Not Consider
Jul 07 '00
I am a mother of four kids and stay at home with them. I am also part owner of a very reputable locksmith company here in our town. Over the years we have come across many different situations that people simply didn't know about their cars. When most people buy a car they never stop to consider the locks or ignition cylinders in the vehicles they are looking at. We have found many times over that the general public has no idea how their lock mechanisms work, which way the key actually turns in the door or that the vehicle they purchased has features that can get them easily locked out.
When you are looking at a vehicle you need to ask some questions of the dealer. If the dealer can't answer your questions then call a reputable locksmith. Any automobile locksmith who is worth their salt should be willing to answer questions about different vehicles and make honest experienced recommendations free of charge. We do it all the time and we have found that many of these people usually end up being valued customers.
The first question you should ask is really a simple question, "If I lose my keys who would I call to have it replaced?" On many new expensive luxury vehicles such as Mercedez, BMW, and Saab, to name a few, you will be required to call the dealer to obtain a new key. If this is the case then you will need to ask about the availability of the dealer. Make sure you ask if this would be a key that needs to be ordered from the manufacturer or if the dealer has the ability to cut a key on the premises. If it has to be ordered you better find out how long it usually takes to get that key. We know of at least one person who waited 2 weeks to receive a key from the manufacturer. Talk about an inconvenience.
You also need to know if your vehicle comes with what is commonly referred to as a computer key. These are keys that have a tiny little microchip in the key itself. That microchip is programmed to work with your vehicles computer system. It is a safety feature. Without that microchip in a key your ignition will not turn over and start the car and therefore you can't drive it. If you have a transponder (microchip) key then you will also need to inquire at the dealership if they have the ability to replace a lost key and a general idea of what the key costs to replace. Many people are shocked that a microchip key is so much more expensive. The blank itself is often the reason. They cost more to purchase for everyone including the locksmith and dealer.
You also need to ask if your vehicle would have to be programmed to a replacement key if it is a transponder key. In some cars it can take as long as 45 minutes just to program the key and the vehicle to work together. This will in turn raise your cost of a replacement key. Make sure to ask the dealer you are purchasing a car from to write down the key codes including a transponder resistance if you have a microchip key in your owner's manual. This will be a big plus if you do misplace your key and possibly cut the replacement cost. You would truly be amazed at how many people lose their keys. You may think it will never happen to you but it is so easy and happens a lot more than you realize.
You need to ask the car dealer how easy is it to get into this car if you lock your keys in it. Some cars are incredibly easy to get into and take almost no knowledge or skill. There are not many of these put out by manufacturers today but there are still a few. You cannot begin to imagine the number of people who are amazed at how quickly someone who knows what they are doing can get into a car. A thief with knowledge can get into some cars with keys locked in and be gone in less than a minute without causing any damage that would be visible to someone driving right next to them.
On the other side of the coin you have cars that are incredibly difficult to get into and would absolutely require a skilled locksmith. The Honda Civic 2 door hatchback is one that we have found has to have the lock picked in most cases in order to be unlocked without a key. We have seen some of the most highly skilled locksmiths be totally stumped by this car. (The longest it has ever taken my locksmith is 7 minutes, a little bragging, I know, but he has earned it.) Most GM vehicles have what are called sidebars in the locks and cannot be picked without special tools that are incredibly expensive. With a GM vehicle like this, if you lock your keys in the trunk and the automatic release won't work without the ignition on you will have to have a key made. This will cost more than a simple lockout in most cases.
If you have a remote key entry system on your car you also need to ask how you have to replace the remote if you lose it. In some cases you will be required to get this directly from the manufacturer. You could be looking at some big bucks for this. I know of one man who lost his remote to his brand new BMW and when he tried to break into the car it went into a lockdown mode. This prevented all the locks from opening even with a new key. He had to order a new remote from the manufacturer. It took 6 weeks to come in and cost him $800.00. I am NOT saying that all cars with remote unlock systems will cause this much headache and money if the remote is lost but it is something to ask about when buying a vehicle with this system. I simply use this as an example to make my point and yes it is a true story.
You might also want to inquire about the ignition system. Some makes and models have a higher failure rate of the ignition cylinder itself. If your ignition cylinder goes bad it has to be replaced. Generally they cannot be fixed or the cost is less to have it replaced rather than repaired. Again this is not all makes and models only some. Most makes and models have a long ignition cylinder life. Just another little something to think about when buying a new car or even a used car.
A lot of vehicles now come with automatic locking doors. Make sure you ask if the car will automatically lock when it is in Park. If you live in a climate where you need to let your car warm up in the winter and it will indeed lock automatically without being put into gear you will need to be sure to have at the very least two sets of keys. There is nothing to start your day out better than warming up your car on a snowy morning, walking out your front door locking it behind you and finding your toasty warm car all locked up and your on the outside in the cold.
The best protection you can have is for you to require the dealer to provide you with at least two complete sets of keys. Find out if they keep a copy of the key itself or the key codes. The key codes are important because they tell a locksmith how to cut the key for your vehicle. This is not information that is readily available to the general public and should never be given to just anyone. If you do have the key codes make sure you put them some place safe. If they are in your owner's manual lock the glove box. A skilled locksmith should be able to pick a glove box fairly easily as long as the lock is in good working order.
I hope that this epinion has helped you in some way if you are buying a car. While these might be things you will never need the information will at least help you make a more informed decision.
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Location: Lexington, KY
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