What You & Mr Bean Need To Know About Modern Automotive Locks

Shearline Locks is your leading automotive locksmith provider in Saskatoon and area. Our Saskatoon auto locksmith technicians guarantee quality, workmanship & services with reasonable prices and timeline. In our latest Saskatoon locksmith tip, we share information on modern automotive locks.

Modern advances in auto convenience technology like adaptive headlights and forward-collision warning systems are just two of the many safety features that have been added to vehicles to make them safer and they really do benefit consumers, however, there are a few advancements that leave something to be desired! Often some mean expensive repair or replacement bills down the road, years after new vehicle warranties have expired.

Transponder Key Fobs

What is a Transponder Key?

Simply put, these keys have an rf transmitter inside of them.  A device near the ignition switch of the vehicle has a receiver.  The key transmits an extremely low-level signal that the vehicle can detect only when the key is in the switch. They are used to prevent the car from being hot wired.  The car will not start if the device at the switch does not detect the low-level signal from the key.  If a copied key is used without the proper signal, the car will not start.  If someone tries to hotwire the car, the car will not start because there is no signal from the key.

How Can I Tell If I Have A Transponder Key?

In most cases, the plastic part of the key will be thicker than a key without a transponder.  This is not always the case, but it is a good sign.  Another test is to wrap the plastic part of the key with several layers of tin foil and then try to start the car.  If it does not start, there is a transponder present.

Automotive Keyless Entry Systems

Keyless entry is a great example of this. While we can all agree here in Saskatchewan that it’s nice to not fumble through pockets or bags when our hands are full, especially in wintertime, and it’s very convenient to lock the doors after you’ve gone inside via an app or a keyfob, few drivers – or vehicle designers, for that matter – ever consider the consequences of leaving a moving mechanical part, like a lock cylinder, motionless for most of the vehicle’s life.

But with the reliability of remote entry fobs, why should drivers even care if those little, out-dated dinosaur cylinders rust in peace? First, if the battery on your easy-entry ride ever fails – and chances are very high, after three or four average Canadian winters – you’ll find a working lock cylinder very handy. Secondly, most provinces require these units to be fully operational when a mandated vehicle inspection is required for ownership transfers.

The problem with servicing lock cylinders is that many automakers don’t supply replacement cylinders that can be coded to match existing keys. In less common cases, consumers are forced to buy complete vehicle lock sets, which include new keys and ignition locks at fairly high prices, just to repair one single issue. So, other than forking out large amounts of money or carrying around an extra key –like Mr Bean – what can you do?

For starters, keep it lubed. It’s much easier to stay out of trouble rather than get out of it. A short squirt of any lock de-icer, or spray lubricant like WD40, will help keep things moving. This only needs to be done once every few months and the job should be finished off by inserting the key, to move the tumblers and mechanisms.

Then, try to de-salt it. When you look inside a seized lock cylinder, you’ll often find a salty-looking crystalline deposit encrusting the tumblers and the inner surfaces of the cylinder. Soaking it in a product such as CLR will immediately start a chemical reaction, breaking down these deposits. And just like in the bathroom, the crystals are gone when the foaming stops.

At that point, some generous applications of WD40 and patient work with the key will usually bring things back to life.

Don’t Miss The Obvious FIx

One final tip for those new to keyless entry fobs – most have replaceable batteries, usually the type you’d find in a watch. Depending on use, they may require new batteries every year or so. Some of these fobs use battery power only for remote entry, but others require it for transponder key recognition in order to start the engine when equipped with push-button start. If you get a low fob-battery warning on your dash, don’t panic – you can usually still start the engine by using the fob to physically push the button. This puts it in close enough proximity to be recognized.

When you need to rely on local automotive lock and key service, you should make Ken at Shearline Locks your first call. With our professional service and knowledge in the locksmith world, you can contact us 24/7 for any of your lock and key concerns in Saskatoon and the surrounding areas. Contact Shearline Locks today