Our readers tell us they are always interested to know about their counterparts in other parts of the world. This month we cross the Atlantic to meet Steve Reisner, an expert locksmith with more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, who owns Adam’s Locksmiths in South Florida, USA.
This family-owned and operated business serves all areas within Broward and Palm Beach Counties and has earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, having established an enviable and positive reputation throughout South Florida.
Now are the days of push-to-start vehicles and keyless remotes. Advancement in automobile technology can be considered a growing pain for many locksmiths. Though lockouts still occur, the types of car locks and keys, and even certain methods of unlocking vehicles, has evolved over the years, keeping the locksmith industry busy.
Back in the 1930s, locksmiths would lie on the ground and insert a long rod with a hook through holes in the floor boards to grasp the inner door handle and unlock the vehicle. Thankfully, the old metal coat hanger trick still works too. Though standard lockout techniques still apply to most vehicles, the main concern for locksmiths is keeping up with how to replace constantly changing car keys. But first, we will reflect on what fuelled the modification of car keys and that was the lock system.
Evolution of Car Locks
The auto locksmith field has changed drastically since 1994 when insurance companies grew concerned with the high ratings of auto theft and pushed vehicle manufacturers to create more complex locking systems. For locksmiths, however, this means their job technique, which includes lockouts or key replacements, will depend on the vehicle.
First consider the changing phases of exterior car door locks. It began with a standard lock-and-key concept to incorporating a code access pad, to having no type of exterior locking system at all (some models only possess the door handle).
Now consider the interior locking components. Manufacturers have even changed where the door’s lock and unlock buttons are located inside. For example, some current Ford models have the lock button on the centre console instead of on the door frame. What is also different in these models is that the manual locking stick on the door frame is non-existent. This placement decreases the chance of auto theft, but also can change the approach on how a locksmith might perform a lockout.
Evolution of Car Keys
Given how the locking system appears to be slowly diminishing, the same can be said for car keys. We look back on what used to be standard keys, to the keys encased with a microchip, to the addition of control buttons, finally to resulting in the keyless remote.
What lies in store for the future of automobile locking systems will come as convenience to consumers, but a hefty price in updated equipment for locksmiths. Nowadays, keys are not even needed to be taken out to unlock doors or start the engine. Even your most basic sedan might include a push-to-start feature that only works when the remote device is near or present.
But what’s the latest perk? Using your smartphone to unlock your car. But before getting wrapped in the safety and functionality of that process, we rather reflect on the evolution of car keys and the replacement method.
Traditional Keys
This is your basic key that has no security feature other than its unique cut, which can be mechanical or laser. Mechanical-cut car keys are cut only on one side of the blade that allows the key to fit into the lock one way only. Laser-cut are identically cut on both flat sides and fit into the ignition either way. These keys are difficult to duplicate because they are manufactured using high-tech laser key cutting machines.
Transponder Keys
Short for “transmitter” and “responder” is the transponder key. It is an electronic, coded key that has a microchip embedded in a plastic body at the handle. Not only do the cuts in the keys have to fit, but the microchip has to communicate to the vehicle’s computer in order for the ignition to start. Most cars after 1998 have transponder chips and are programmed to a specific car.
Remote Keys
Remote keys are similar to transponder keys but have the additional control buttons on its plastic body. The controls operate the locking and unlocking of car doors, opening the trunk and setting off the alarm. To originate a transponder or remote key, it first involves key code retrieval (finding the depths for each cut in the key), which will allow the key to turn in the ignition or door lock. After that is accomplished, a device called a transponder duplicator is attached to the onboard computer port on the vehicle that programs the new key.
Smart Keys
Smart keys are another remote control device, just without the physical key. When this tiny remote device is near the vehicle, it will automatically unlock the doors and start the engine. Though no cutting machine is required to create a physical key, special computer programming is involved. This is the most advance and expensive of automobile keys. Igniting the engine is a simple push of a button, difficult for thieves who don’t have the ability to communicate to the car’s specific code. Replacing the device is a process that dealerships should perform.