Preventing Car Lock and Key Trouble

You press the button of the transponder key super hard, but the car still remains locked. You try to start the vehicle, but the ignition does not work. These and other problems can be avoided as long as you take good care of the locks and keys belonging to your vehicle and keep them safe at all times. The methods shared here have been proven to work. You can use them confidently. 

Proper Handling and Care

Since ignition car keys have an electronic component as well as a metal blade, they have to be handled and stored with extra care. You must not use such a device with greasy or dirty hands as this will increase the risk of serious damage considerably. It is best if you have a special zipped pocket for it in your bag or jacket. This reduces the risk of both damage and loss.

At home, you should never leave the car key hanging on a hook in the mudroom or lying on the kitchen countertop. It is important to keep it in a place where it is not clearly visible. Ideally, this place should be hard to reach as well. If it is not convenient to place the car key inside a locked box or cabinet, you should leave it on a higher shelf preferably inside a cupboard. It is worth noting that it is not uncommon for thieves to break into houses by damaging door locks just to get hold of vehicle keys.

Regular cleaning is also important for keeping ignition keys in good condition. You can use a piece of cloth dipped in lemon juice to clean the blade and a bit of alcohol to clean the plastic electronic component. Make sure that you remove dirt stuck around the base of the key and around the buttons of the remote. This will reduce the risk of damage and the need for emergency ignition key replacement.

Even though they are quite strong, car locks are not fully resistant to damage. Our experts in Southside Place warn that you should be extra careful not to scratch them while inserting the key. Since they are exposed to the elements, they require regular maintenance, preferably twice a year. You should clean them thoroughly with compressed air. Use graphite powder lubricant to keep them in good operating condition. It comes in a tube with thin nozzle which is inserted directly into the keyway. You should spread a little bit on the visible part of the door lockset as well.

In case vehicle locks get frozen, you should use alcohol of getting them to work normally again. You must not make an attempt to break the ice with a sharp tool as this will lead to serious damage. In general, with proper lubrication right before the winter starts, this problem should be effectively avoided.