If you are in a situation where you’ve got an issue involving your car door lock, it’s important to know which option is right for you and your car to get it fixed: getting the lock rekeyed, or getting the lock changed altogether. In this Keytek® Auto Locksmith blog, we will help you figure out whether you need your car lock rekeyed, or if you need the car lock changed.
Rekeying a Car Lock
Rekeying a car lock is when an Auto Locksmith alters the car lock’s internal components so that your existing car lock works with a new car key. Components such as the disks, sliders, and wafers are repositioned so that they no longer work with the old key.
Why Would I Need My Car Lock Rekeyed?
You’d often get your car lock rekeyed if your car key has been lost or stolen, to ensure that no-one can use the key to gain access to your car.
Car keys are programmed into the car, with this programming you can then use it to open the car (both manually and with the buttons) and to start the car. When a car key is lost, if you get this car key deprogrammed by an auto locksmith that key would no longer be able to start the car (as the connection is not there between the key and the internal car system) however you would still be able to use the key manually to enter the car. This does put any valuables left in your car at risk.
Rekeying the car door locks means that even with that lost key, no one would be able to use it to enter your car – however if you get your car door lock rekeyed than you’ll also need to get your ignition barrel rekeyed as well so you can both open and start your car from the same new key.
Can You Rekey a Lock if You Lost the Key?
Yes! An Auto Locksmith will be able to rekey your car door locks without needing the original car key if it has been lost or stolen, so there’s no need to panic there!
Changing Car Locks
When changing a car door lock, an Auto Locksmith will remove the old lock and will replace it with a new car lock. This changes both the lock and the key.
Why Would I Need My Car Locks Changed?
Again, changing a car door lock is only really necessary when a car key has been lost or stolen. This means that any missing car keys wouldn’t be able to open or start the car, keeping your car and any property inside safe.
Is It Better to Rekey or Change Locks?
It really depends on what your local auto locksmith offers and how much the services cost. With both rekeying and changing the locks, you’ll gain new car keys (which will make all previous keys obsolete). The real difference will come down to how the auto locksmith prices their services.
For example, with rekeying you won’t have to pay for the new lock but you are likely to pay more for the time it takes to rekey a car door lock. Some car locks can be rekeyed easily, whereas others may take hours too – and remember that you’ll need both your car door and ignition barrel to be rekeyed. Similarly, you won’t have to pay as much labour if you are just changing the car door locks, but you will have to pay the part price of the new locks.
We’d always advice asking your auto locksmith for more clarity on their charges so that you can make an informed decision about whether it is better to rekey or change your car door lock.