Car Keys – To clone or not to clone?

When people ring me for a quote on replacing a lost key for their vehicle, they are sometimes surprised by my cost. They have had a quote from somewhere else that is much cheaper and if I don’t get my reasons in quick enough, I can lose the business.

So why are some much cheaper? It is because they are offering a cloning service as the first option. Cloning is where you take one key, read the information it contains and make an exact duplicate. You now have two keys, but the computer on your car thinks those two keys are the same one. But what about that missing key? Who has it and is there a possibility they could use it to easily steal your vehicle? So yes, cloning is cheaper, but it always leaves an opening for someone else to help themselves to your property.

Car locksmithWhen I produce a second key for you, I plug my equipment into your vehicle and have a chat with your on board computer. I tell that computer that the key you have and the new one I am producing, are the only keys that are allowed to start the vehicle. So while I can’t stop the missing key opening a door, I can stop it being able to drive the vehicle away. My key and the cloned key look exactly alike. But new keys are more secure and therefore, my first option. I can be as cheap as the next guy, but I’m putting your security above my easy quick buck (cloning is significantly faster than new key production). So if you are ring around for quotes, don’t automatically assume the more expensive quote is someone trying to extort money from you. If you ask why they are more expensive, there is usually a good reason.
Here is an example: I had a potential customer with a Ford vehicle and no keys at all. When I quoted, she was shocked at my price. I explained that you cannot just programme one new key into a Ford, but their particular set up wipes all memory of previous keys and starts from scratch requiring you to have two new keys created. I had to quote for two keys in this case. But a cheaper person was quoting for just one key. So while there is a work around of the two key requirement, how likely was it that this other locksmith was quoting low with the knowledge he could ‘spring’ the two key requirement on her once he had the vehicle and was in the middle of the job. Most people will accept the change once the trader is there and working, It’s what is often done to avoid a fuss.
I will always give you a fair price for any work I carry out, backed up with guarantees. I will always stick to my quoted price unless you make additional requirements, at which point I will tell you exactly how much more those additions will cost. I will always explain my pricing in a way you can understand.
If you have any questions regarding the above information, please get in touch via any of the methods on my contacts page.
Thanks for reading

admin April 28, 2018

car key cloning / car key programming / Car keys cut / Lost car keys /

Car Key Replacement FAQs

AC locksmiths Auto

  1. What is the difference between getting my replacement key from the manufacturer and an auto locksmith?

The manufacturer will usually be able to have your key replaced just from knowing your vehicle ID. You usually get your replacement key within the week. You know your manufacturer will have the key type you require.

The auto locksmith will have the ability to generate a new key on the spot. While it might not be a genuine brand replacement, your new key will be just as good (if not better) than the manufacturer key. The auto locksmith can reprogram your vehicle on the spot, so that any lost/stolen keys are unable to start the vehicle. The auto locksmith comes to you, meaning you can still go to work on time. Most of the time, you will pay a lot less for the convenience of an auto locksmith.

  1. What is cut to copy?

This is where the key is cut using the existing key as a template.

  1. What is cut to code?

Some vehicle keys can be cut using codes taken from the vehicle VIN number or from other sources.

  1. What is key cloning?

This is where the key is completely copied including the data on the transponder that talks to the car. While there may be two keys, the car will believe there is only one. This is important to know because some vehicles must have two separate keys programmed.

  1. What is a vehicle PIN?

This is a code that works like the pin number on your cash card. Without your pin, you can’t draw out cash. Without a vehicle PIN, you can’t extract the information needed to program new keys.

  1. Can I buy replacement keys on line?

Yes, and they can be quite cheap. But often, there are hidden extras, like programming the remotes to your car.

  1. Can I call my breakdown service company if I lock my keys in my car?

Yes you can, but they often call an auto locksmith and you then have to pay. As an example, I was called by a breakdown service provider recently. The breakdown engineer took an hour to get to them, spent two hours trying to fish the keys out of the vehicle with the top of the door wedged slightly open and failed. He called me. Within 45 minutes, I had arrived, opened the vehicle and was on my way home.

  1. What are the most common mistakes people make?

In no particular order; shutting keys in the boot without having the main doors unlocked, leaving the spare key 200 miles away at home when going on holiday, letting children play with the car keys, letting the remotes go way past their best condition, treating remotes poorly, letting batteries die, losing keys on the beach, not getting a replacement when the first key is lost, buying a vehicle with only one key (who has the other, and do they know your address?

  1. Why should I get new keys when buying a second hand car?

How well do you know the seller? Most of us buy cars from someone we don’t know. We often give over our address if the vehicle is being delivered, or if we are taking finance, etc. But we don’t know if the seller has already had extra keys made. If you are paying out thousands of pounds to have a car, is it not wise to pay a little more and make sure the vehicle will only drive away from your driveway with keys you possess?

  1. How do I know I am paying the right price?

Get quotes. Two or three at least. A good auto locksmith will advertise prices on their website, but these will be guidance only as the cost of parts and software packages vary a lot between manufacturers. Some work is simple, other work might involve having to get behind your dashboard and removal of computer chips. A difference of just one year can make a particular vehicle much harder to deal with. In rare cases, the auto locksmith might have to walk away unable to do anything. If he is any good, he will not charge you when this happens, unless you have made some prior agreement. If you get three quotes, and one is much less than the other two, investigate further before accepting the cheapest quote. Has he quoted the full job, or been a bit vague? People who quote too little are often not properly trained and are more likely to do something that harms the computer in your vehicle. If that problem takes a while to arise, they will not be around when you go after them for damages.

If you have any questions you would like answered, please contact through any method on the contacts page.

Thanks for reading.

admin August 31, 2017

Car keys cut / car keys lost / lock replacement / reprogrammed car keys /

Car Locksmith Norfolk

Car Locksmith Norfolk

A C Locksmiths
From this August, I will be fully equipped to take my locksmithing training into the area of cars, vans and lorries. The car locksmith training has been hard, but I have come through the other side able to offer my customers even more services with the same value for money I hold central to my ethos.

My computerised key cutting equipment is as good as you will find in any shop, but I can come to you. My diagnostics computer will provide transponders for most makes and models of vehicle. My picks will get you into your car without the need for damage. And if for any reason, I cannot get you into your vehicle or help you, you won’t pay me a penny.

Have you ever tried to get a spare key from your dealer? They charge you a reasonable price, you give up a lunch break or take a morning off to go and pick it up, only to find you can get into your car, but you still can’t start it. When you take it back, they reveal it still needs to be coded to your car. That’s when the price increases drastically, and by the way, it will take a week and you are going to have to give up more of your precious time to go and get it again.

How much better would it be if you could park your car at work, and the auto locksmith could do the job there with no interruptions to your normal day, except when you get a text message to say it’s done, and can you come to collect the key, taking no longer than a cigarette break? What if the flip key was even better quality than the original manufacturers? What if you could have a key fob that usually goes with other cars?

Car locksmithSo, if I told you that this convenience and choice was going to be more expensive than going to your dealer, you wouldn’t be surprised, would you? But, what if I told you that in most cases, it will still cost you less to use me than to use the dealer direct? But that is exactly what will happen. By the time August 1st comes around, my main prices will be on my prices page, something you won’t find on any other local locksmith’s web site. My prices will be fixed, so it won’t matter if you call me for an emergency on a Sunday, evening or a bank holiday, the price will be exactly the same as it is on a Tuesday at 10.00am. All non-emergency work will be carried out during normal hours, but as shown above, I can come to you at work if needed. How convenient is that?

So whether you want a car locksmith in Kings Lynn, a van locksmith in Cromer, a motorbike locksmith in Norwich, or a Lorry locksmith in Great Yarmouth, I’m ready to come to your aid.

You might need your car reprogramming because the keys were stolen. I can do that. You can get some very new looking second hand cars these days, but the remotes that have been in pockets or handbags often look a bit dull and chipped. I can provide new ones or even the extra one as you usually get one flip and one ordinary key. Lost car keys are not a problem. I can provide new ones no matter where you are. From Downham Market through Thetford, up past Fakenham and across to Stalham and Caister. All over Norfolk, AC Locksmiths Norfolk is the only auto locksmith you will need.

Commercially owned or private vehicles, if I can’t help you, I won’t charge you.

admin June 21, 2017

auto locksmith Norfolk / Car keys cut / Car locksmith /