Locked out of my car

It is not a new thing to hear that a colleague of yours is locked outside his car. Not just colleagues, even we have ourselves faced such situations in the past when we were locked outside and the backup set of keys was miles away. This situation is not only distressing but could have adverse social impacts. In some situations it could be outright dangerous. Although it is an old practice that the companies provide a duplicate set of keys but since 1995 it is required by law in the UK for all auto manufacturing companies to fit an immobilizer system in the cars. This immobilizer system kicks in when a wrong or broken key is tried. In such a scenario the engine does not start rendering the car immobile. This was done with an intention of effectively dealing with car thefts.

These days car keys are fitted with a transponder device which are essentially chips that communicate  with the car's internal computer. The car's computer expects an embedded code from this chip which is empowered to respond back with the code whenever there is a signal radioed to it by car's computer whenever the key is inserted for ignition. If the code radioed back by the transponder chip does not match with the internal code of the car, the engine fails to start. Some car manufacturing companies such as Ford embed these chips inside the plastic head of the ignition keys.

In such a situation when the owner is locked out of the car, the duplicate key might be the only solution. Availability of the duplicate set is another issue. Not all the owners carefully preserve their duplicate sets in places they remember. In such a situation, opening a car even when parked in the house garage could be a challenge. Reliable auto locksmiths could be the only saviours then. The skill sets of well qualified locksmiths include key duplication, transponder keys cloning and replacement, ignition key extraction along with lock repairing in addition to others.

Generally the well known auto locksmith service providers are open everyday all through the year backed by their service locations spread throughout the country. People seeking to record the names and information of reliable locksmiths in the UK could refer the list of Auto Locksmith Association members. It is a non profit making organization that requires all its members to be practicing locksmiths for two years. It also require all those wanting to join to pass an examination and provide references. Regular meetings and trainings are held for the members of the association and it could serve as a great starting point to search for a reliable locksmith.