Posts made in November 2018

Features of a Transponder Key

24-Hour Locksmith in Orlando | ArrowLocksmith.net

Most cars built after 1995 come with transponder keys—a key that’s used as an anti-theft device. A transponder key works through radio-frequency signals that are meant to deter car thefts. Transponders get their name from two words: transmitters and responders. They are not to be confused with automotive remotes, which are used to lock and unlock vehicles. A transponder is a device with the main purpose of eliminating car theft. There are a number of benefits and features of a transponder key.

Anti-Theft Protection

A transponder key makes it difficult for your car to be stolen because most of them are programmed with an identification number that is uniquely programmed to the car which it recognizes. The transponder’s microchip works in tandem with the engine of the car. If this specific key is not used, the car will not start. The microchip embedded in the head of the vehicle key receives a signal from an antenna which is around the ignition cylinder. Consequently, if the car or motorcycle doesn’t receive the right response from the transponder key, the vehicle doesn’t work.

You always want to make sure your transponder key has working batteries. Also, be sure to check and confirm that your system is working just fine, and you can’t find anything physically wrong with the key. If you have questions either check your car manual or contact Arrow Locksmith Co. for a 24-hour locksmith in Orlando.

Should You Rekey or Replace Locks in a New Home?

Lock Replacement in Orlando | ArrowLocksmith.net

When there’s a change in ownership of a property, the new owners usually plan to rekey or replace the locks. If the home has been previously owned, the new owners will not know who has access to the keys, unlike in new homes where contractors are the ones with access to the keys. If rekeying the locks is chosen, the locksmith removes the pins and springs in the lock cylinder and replaces them with new pins and springs that work with a new key. Many locks can be rekeyed and kept in service unless they are not working properly or a different style is required. However, in most new communities, locks are mastered with extra pins left in the lock, which means that numerous different keys could operate a single home’s locks. When these master pins are rekeyed, the possibility of another key operating the locks is eliminated.

Replacing Locks

There are circumstances in which locks must be replaced. Over time, locks wear out and rekeying may no longer be an option to improve their function. Upgrading the locks you have is always a good idea because your home’s locks are what protect you and your property. You may also want to replace your locks for aesthetic reasons or to accommodate disabilities. For example, lever handle locks are attractive and easy to operate, and deadbolts are available with an interior thumb turn that is operated without grasping.

Contact the pros at Arrow Locksmith Co. to consult with us about a lock replacement in Orlando. Call us at (407) 855-2080 if you need emergency services

Getting a Broken Key Out of the Door

Residential Locksmith in Orlando | ArrowLocksmith.net

You may think you’re having a very bad day when your key breaks off in a lock. However, there are ways to try and get the broken key out of the lock. First and foremost, do not use your key again. The lock won’t open, and when you reinsert your key, you will push the broken part of the blade further into the lock. You do want to keep the broken halves of the key so you can give both parts to a locksmith who can cut a new key by using both pieces of your key.

You can make the process of removing your broken key from the lock by applying a lubricant to the keyway. It’s best to line up the nozzle of the lubricant so that it is inside the keyway before you spray. Keep a pair of needle-nose pliers handy because once enough of the key is accessible, it should be easy to pull free with pliers.

When you call on the professionals at Arrow Locksmith Co., a leading residential locksmith in Orlando, they will no doubt use a broken key extractor tool. They place this tool inside the keyway along the bitting of the key. The goal is to hook the teeth on the key with the hooks on the extractor. After the key is hooked, it is turned, pulled, and grabbed, and eventually removed from the lock.