How Transponder Keys Work

Transponder keys were designed as a security device to protect your vehicle from theft. Though, as beneficial as this technology has been for us, it can sometimes be a major cause of headaches.

If you find yourself with an unresponsive transponder, you have a couple of choices. You could contact a locksmith and have a professional handle everything for you – getting you back on the road in no time. Or, you could try to program the transponder key yourself. 

How a Transponder Key Works

Transponder keys contain a microchip inside of them that transmits an alphanumeric code to the ignition so that the car will start. If you try to start your car using a basic key, for example, or without any key at all (in the case of theft), then the ignition won’t start. It has to have the transmitted code to go anywhere. 

Vehicles manufactured with a transponder key won’t start without the original transponder. This is why losing your transponder key can be troublesome. Thankfully, though, by following a few steps, you can program a transponder key without the original and hopefully start your engine successfully. 

Let’s take a look at the necessary steps. 

Step 1: Sitting in your car with the doors closed, place the transponder key in the ignition of your car and turn it into the ON position. Do not turn the engine on. You will want to keep this on for a precise 10 minutes and 25 seconds – so use the timer on your phone to ensure you get the timing right. At this time, the security light on your dashboard will light up. If it doesn’t, you may need to check your battery. 

Step 2: Once the security light illuminates, set the timer again – this time for 15 minutes. Remember, you must be meticulous with the time. After it elapses, the security light on your dashboard should go off. 

Step 3: Three minutes after the security light turns off, turn your ignition OFF – and then turn it right back ON again. When you do, the security light should reappear and stay on for another 15 minutes before it shuts off again. 


Step 4: As the security light on the dashboard disappears, wait 3 minutes and then turn the ignition OFF – and then turn it right back ON again. And, as predicted the security light will illuminate on the dashboard for another 15 minutes before the light turns off. 

The transponder key should now be programmed to your automobile. Try turning on your engine with the key as it should start now – and allow you to drive without any issues. 

An important note: Once you program a new transponder key for your car, your original transponder key will no longer work. 

Help From a Professional Locksmith

Programming a transponder key can be a time-consuming task. You may run into errors, you may not want to deal with it yourself, or, depending on the make and model of the car, this simple process may not work. At BAYSIDE LOCKSMITH & SECURITY we don’t want you to feel stranded without a transponder key. Let us help you get back in your car and on your way quickly. 

With locations and a mobile crew of professionals throughout many areas of Texas, we are just a phone call away. Contact us anytime of the day.

Thanks

Todd Theroux

BAYSIDE can help with moving that SAFE


Need help moving a heavy Safe?

Need a NEW SAFE?

Residential and\or Commercial.

BAYSIDE LOCKSMITH & SECURITY

Professionals Have the Experience Needed!

A safe is not a purchase you make very often, so you probably haven’t moved one before. An experienced safe moving team does it all the time. They know how to get a safe into your home undamaged. But that’s just a small part of the services professional movers provide. They know how to:

  • Get your safe into your home without injuring themselves, you, or your family members.
  • Take precautions to prevent damaging your home.
  • Read the entire layout of your home and identify issues that could be a problem, like wooden stairs that cannot support the safe’s weight or tight turns in hallways.

Professionals Have Specialized Moving Equipment

Moving a heavy and bulky item like a gun safe requires specialized moving equipment. A professional will have a heavy-duty truck that is equipped with everything needed to get the job done, including an Ultralift motorized hand truck, padded blankets and felt pads to protect your home’s flooring.

Professionals Carry Insurance

If you choose to take the risk of doing this job on your own, any damage that may occur is your responsibility. However, a professional mover has insurance. So, if for some unlikely reason your safe becomes damaged, whether in transit to your home or while it is being brought inside, the mover’s insurance will cover it.

Moving a safe on your own is dangerous and can be costly if you become injured. Between medical bills, time lost from work, and possible damage to your vehicle or home, it just doesn’t make financial sense. But don’t let the worry of how to move a safe discourage you from making this important purchase.

Thank You

Todd Theroux

Bayside Locksmith & Security

What to do if you get locked out of your home

Nobody plans on or wants to be locked out of their home. But unfortunately, it does happen. It can be because you left the key inside the door or because you think your partner has the key and vice versa. The question is, once you’re locked out, what do you do? Stay calm and read on.

Check for an open entry.

As you know, we would never recommend you leave any windows or doors unlocked or open. That means locking the door, even when you’re outside mowing the lawn. If you can get inside this way, then great! But we’re all human, so sometimes we forget to close windows and doors properly.

Call a household member.

If your partner, kids or housemate are not locked out of the house along with you, give them a call. They will most likely have the key on them. Depending on where they are, it can take some time for them to help you get back in. But at least, it’s the cheapest (free) option, and it should be the first step you take.

Who has a spare key?

Failing that, if you have managed to give a spare key to your family or friends, then you should be in luck. Don’t forget to ask nicely. If they accepted your spare key, then they knew this day would happen.

Call your landlord

This step is for those who rent a house or an apartment. Contact your landlord or property manager. They will have a key. I had to do this once, but unfortunately, I had to go to the property manager’s office to collect the key. So it was time-consuming (especially without a car) to get there. Also, don’t forget to return the key once you’re inside.

Use a Master Locksmith

For most of the time, getting a locksmith is the quickest way to get into your property. However, we recommend caution choosing a locksmith. There are plenty of handymen who pass themselves off as locksmiths. But once they complete their work, you will quickly notice they are not. When searching for a locksmith near you, there are a few simple checks you can make.

  • Are they a member of a recognised locksmith association?
  • Can they provide you with a business invoice?
  • Can you find reviews online?

How to avoid getting locked out of the home

  • Install a key safe somewhere on your property that isn’t seen from the main road and put a spare set in here.
  • Change your door lock to a smart or digital lock, so you don’t have to carry a key around at all! Gain access by a PIN, Bluetooth, fob card or biometrics (depending on your chosen keyless door lock).
  • Put your keys on top of your wallet, in your handbag or on top of your lunch. Whatever way it will take to ensure you don’t forget your keys again.

What not to do if you’re locked out

  • Don’t break any windows; it may end up costing more than if you were to call a locksmith.
  • Don’t try to manipulate the door open. This will damage your door, leading you to spend more money to replace the damaged lock.
  • Only call emergency services 000 if there’s an emergency in the house, such as a fire.

At Bayside Locksmith & Security we are available when you need us!

Thank you

Todd Theroux

Different Kinds Of Safes and Functions

Safes have a variety of functions, and all of them include protection of any important documents or any other type of valuable item. Such things require protection from theft and floods, fires, or any other natural disaster. There are different types of safes, but the two main types of safes are those which are designed for business use, and those which are designed for use in the home. Within each of these categories, there are many more differences between safes and the type of protection they provide.

There are a few different types of business safes to choose from. A major category consists of those which provide protection against theft. The locks on these safes are designed to be especially secure, even from professional burglars who are able to break more simple locks. Any documents or papers which require special security due to high confidentiality can be kept in these safes, freeing business owners from unnecessary worry.

Another type of business safes protect from fire. Almost always, these have the added protection of also having very secure locks. There are different stages of protection provided by fire resistant safes, just as there are different stages of protection with locks. An ordinary document becomes ruined at around 451°F, and most fires burn at around 1300°F. Therefore, it is obvious that papers need extra protection in case there is a fire in the office. The safes are able to keep the temperature inside around 350°F for different amounts of time. They do this by releasing moisture into the safe. The safes provide the fire protection for either 30 minutes, 60 minutes,120 minutes or longer.

Many businesses do not handle large amounts of cash on a regular basis. However, some companies, such as restaurants, do have a lot of money in their possession each day. For these businesses, deposit safes are a necessary security measure. Usually, these safes are fixed securely to the floor, as opposed to the more mobile home safes. The protection and security provided by depository safes is reliable and convenient during the business day, but it is not recommended to keep money in them overnight. Instead the money should be brought somewhere with added security, such as a bank.  Deposit safes generally do not offer fire protection.

The other main category of safes consists of home safes. There are only three main types of home safes; those designed for fire protection and those designed for theft protection, similar to the ones mentioned in the business safe section above and those designed for both theft and fire protection. The protection provided by fire resistant safes can be invaluable to families. They are able to save family heirlooms, valuable jewelry, or items which cannot be replaced like more material possessions can. Fire resistant safes are able to protect valuables by keeping the inside of the safe at a low enough temperature to resist damage for different amounts of time, as mentioned above with business safes.  Burglar/Fire safes are designed to provide the best of both worlds with a much heavier metal door and body than a fire resistant safe. They usually have a Group II combination lock which is designed to stop a knowledgeable thief. Check for both burglar and fire ratings when purchasing one of these hybrid-safes.

Although fire resistant safes have secure locks on them, home safes designed for theft protection provide even greater security. There are different grades of locks. Some of the more basic lock designs found on fire resistant safes are easy for advanced burglars to pick. However, the more complicated locks provided on most theft resistant or Burglar/Fire safes are a challenge for even professional burglars. It is hoped that the thieves will be deterred by the security provided by these locks, and decide to leave the premise without taking anything valuable.

Thank You

Todd Theroux

Finding the Right Safe

If you manage a commercial space, you know that there are some things you need to keep safe and secure. However, how to keep these items safe comes with many different options.  Here are some of the most important things to consider when it comes to picking out a commercial safe.

  • Size. Depending on your business, you may have several larger items to keep safe or just a few important documents. Your commercial safe should fit what you need it to fit, so make sure to purchase a safe that will keep safe what you need it to keep safe.
  • Location. Where will you keep your safe? Some commercial safes are easier to conceal than others. Commercial safes are all designed differently and are meant to be put in different places, so the kind of commercial safe you buy should depend on whether you intend to keep it under a desk, in a closet, or anywhere else you need it to go.
  • Contents. You should factor in what you plan on keeping in your safe when considering different commercial safes. For example, if you plan on putting documents in your safe, you should consider a fireproof safe.

If you’re having a hard time finding the right commercial safe for your space, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at BAYSIDE LOCKSMITH AND SECURITY­. We can help you pick out the right safe for what you need based on your specific requirements and situation, so call us today for your commercial safe needs.

Thanks

Todd Theroux

 

Moving / Delivery Safe Service

 

Full-sized safes are built to be strong and heavy. You want something that will help protect your guns, valuables, and important papers from thieves, fire, curious children. You might be tempted to load your safe in the back of your truck and try to carry it into your home or business yourself, but you’re taking a big risk. Having a professional safe mover deliver and install your safe is the best way to get it home or business and ready to use. Consider these benefits of leaving this hefty job to a professional.

PROFESSIONALS HAVE THE EXPERIENCE NEEDED

A safe is not a purchase you make very often, so you probably haven’t moved one before. An experienced safe delivery does it all the time. We know how to get a safe into your home or business undamaged. But that’s just a small part of the services professional safe movers provide. We know how to:

  • Get your safe into your home or business without injuring themselves, you, or your family members.
  • Take precautions to prevent damaging your home.
  • Read the layout of your home and identify issues that could be a problem, like that wooden chair that cannot support the safe’s weight or tight turns in hallways.

PROFESSIONALS HAVE SPECIALIZED MOVING EQUIPMENT

Moving a heavy and bulky item like a safe requires specialized moving equipment. A professional will have a heavy-duty specialized truck that is equipped with everything needed to get the job done, including an Ultra-lift motorized hand dolly.

If you choose to take the risk of doing this job on your own, any damage that may occur is your responsibility. 

Moving a safe on your own is very dangerous and can be costly if you become injured. Between medical bills, time lost from work, and possible damage to your vehicle or home, it just doesn’t make financial sense. But don’t let the worry of how to move a safe discourage you from making this important purchase.

Thanks

Todd Theroux

Car Key Replacement Tricks

Nearly a quarter of Americans lose their house or car keys twice a week. This can cause these people to be late for school or work. What’s worse is that they may end up losing their keys permanently and paying for a replacement. 

This situation can be inconvenient when it comes to replacing a key fob. Not only can a key fob replacement be expensive, but the process of getting one can get complicated. However, it may not be as difficult as you think. 

If you’re interested in learning some car key replacement tricks, read on. 

1. Buying an Aftermarket Key Fob

The basic process of getting a new key fob costs anywhere from $150 to $500. This final price is usually made from two major costs. Your dealership will charge you for the key fob itself and then for key fob programming services. 

There are a few ways to lessen this price, but many are risky. One is to purchase an aftermarket key fob from an online seller. You can then bring it in to a dealership and ask them to program it for you. 

There’s a big risk to this method, though. Many online stores only sell cheap knockoff versions of key fobs. These can either work poorly or not work at all. 

What’s worse is that a dealership won’t refund the programming cost if your aftermarket key fob doesn’t work. 

2. Programming a Key Fob Yourself 

Another way to make replacing car keys cheaper is to program a key fob yourself. This is especially easy if you already have two working fobs and need a third. Your car owner’s manual can instruct you on how to perform this task. 

Also, if your key fob is merely damaged, you may not need programming at all. Switching the internet circuitry from your old key fob to a new key fob shell is possible. Try this before attempting key fob programming. 

Keep in mind, though, that you may not be able to program more advanced key fobs. 

3. Replacing a Key Fob Using a Locksmith

BAYSIDE LOCKSMITH & SECURITY can provide cheaper services than a dealership. There may, however, be limits on their abilities. Locksmiths often don’t have the information or equipment necessary to program a car key replacement. 

One reason this happens is that some dealerships and/or brands won’t provide locksmiths with the codes they need. Another reason is that more advanced fobs can need special equipment that locksmiths don’t have.

Hire BAYSIDE to Replace Your Car Keys or Fob 

As a final tip, remember that sometimes a great expense will be much less than many minor expenses. Don’t keep refusing to pay a larger price because you want to get a good deal. It may be that paying hundreds for replacing a key fob is all you can do. 

When you need a car key replacement, contact us. We can provide automotive locksmith services to over a dozen brands. BAYSIDE LOCKSMITH & SECURITY offers 24/7 emergency services, including on-site key replacement. 

Thank you

Todd Theroux

Signs you need to change your Lock

You know that feeling when you just can’t seem to find your keys, and you start to panic because you’re late for an important meeting? Or when you come home from a long day and realize you don’t have your keys to get into your house? Yeah, those are both pretty terrible feeling. But what’s even worse is realizing that your lock isn’t working properly and needs to be replaced. Here are five signs that it may be time for a new lock on your front door.

5 Signs to change your locks

Weathered Locks

In order to ensure your security, it is important that you change out the locks on all external doors at least once every two years. You may also want to consider having an annual service conducted by a locksmith who can inspect and clean any internal components in order to prevent problems from occurring before they occur!

Loose and Damaged Locks

Door Locks are a vital part of your home security system. The most obvious sign that they should be repaired or replaced is if their appearance has been damaged in any way and it makes you worried about using them for protection against intruders, who could easily break into an unlocked house with ease thanks to this convenient access points.

Signs of Tampering

Locksmiths recommend that you keep an eye on the condition of your locks and take special care to identify any sign a burglar might make. Evidence including unusual scratching or marking around keyhole could suggest upgrade is required – call Bayside Locksmith & Security. 

Faulty Locks

When the mechanism in your door lock begins to malfunction, you will typically experience issues with turning keys or locking and opening doors. Faulty systems can be caused by wear-and-tear as well as misalignment so it’s important that professional handle this problem for you!

Lock Keys missing

Locking yourself out of your home or car is never fun, but it’s even worse when you have young children at the same time. Keys can easily go missing during family transitions which leaves homeowners with no choice but to call an experienced locksmith in order to get back inside their house before they miss work or school!

What to do when a Key Breaks in a Lock

What should you do when your key breaks in the lock?

You’re back home after an exhausting day at work. You reach your porch and insert your key and ‘SNAP’, the key breaks in the lock. When you’re looking forward to having dinner and a good night’s sleep, the broken key in your lock ruins your day. No matter how hard you try, getting the key out is a futile effort.
In such a case, getting you out of such a stressful situation is only possible with the help of a locksmith service. In this post, we’ll help understand why keys snap in the lock and how to tackle this issue calmly.

Why do keys snap in the locks?

Usually, keys snap in the locks due to-

  • A damaged key
  • A brass/nickel key (experienced locksmiths do not recommend soft metal keys)
  • A Jammed or non-lubricated lock

What can happen to the lock if you don’t extract the broken key from it?

  • There is a risk of further damage to the lock.
  • You could be left locked in or locked out of your home.
  • If you don’t extract the broken key from your lock, your home is left vulnerable to break-ins.

3 things to try yourself before calling for help

Use needle-nosed plyers– You could consider this if there is a small part of the key jutting out of the lock. You will need to be quite careful with these plyers though.

Use a strong magnet An easier way to remove the key, a strong magnet could help you get the key out quickly.

Use a hairpin– If a magnet or a pair of plyers isn’t at your disposal, a hairpin could do, if you know how to use it properly.
Though you could try any of these methods, there is a grave risk of damaging the lock further if you try too hard. Worse, you could end up pushing the broken key further into the lock if you try too hard.

How to make sure the key doesn’t snap in the lock again

To ensure you don’t get yourself into such a situation again, you need to-

Lubricate your locks– Your lock requires its share of maintenance. Every six months, you should lubricate your locks to help prevent issues like broken keys or jammed locks. Apply a mild lubricant to the lock. Do not use oil-based lubricants like WD-40 as this could damage the locks.

Use the right replacement keys– Just like any metal instrument, keys are prone to wear and tear. If you see any damage to the keys, you should immediately replace the keys with new ones. Ensure you do not make the keys with soft metals like Brass or Nickel.

Lastly

You need to care for your locks just as you would with any electronics. Regularly lubricating your locks makes sure they work well and are long-lasting. Though there are many types of locks you can use, it makes sense to hire a locksmith who will help you choose the right locks and maintain them when necessary.

Thank You

Todd Theroux

Lock & Key Facts

Locks & keys help us to control and manage access to our homes, offices, businesses, and belongings. They enable us to deter unauthorized access to properties and physical assets; thereby making us feel secure. If there were no locks and keys, theft would be the order of the day, and most people wouldn’t feel secure in their homes.  

Here are facts you probably didn’t know about locks and keys.

  • The key was invented by Theodorus of Samos—a Greek sculptor

Theodorus of Samos –a Greek sculptor and architect is credited with the invention of the key in the 6th century BC. The key was made out of wood and was about 30 inches long.

  • The largest padlock measures 144.3 cm tall, 105 cm wide, and 26 cm deep

Students and teachers from Pavlovo Arts College in Russia created the world’s largest padlock. The padlock and its key weigh 916 lb (415.5 kg). The padlock holds the Guinness World Record to date.

  • Locksmithing has been around for over 4,00 years

Locksmithing is believed to have originated in Ancient Egypt and Babylon. The oldest known lock is roughly 4,000 years old. The first locksmiths in Ancient Egypt used their locksmith skills to protect the tombs of rulers.

  • Keys were a symbol of wealth in Egyptian society

It’s only a few people who could afford locks and keys in Ancient Egyptian society. Having a lock and key was considered a symbol of wealth. Affluent Egyptians used to put keys around their finger to reflect power.

  • Mass production of locks in the U.S started in 1840

Before 1840, locksmiths used to make locks and keys by hand.

  • Master keys have key serialization

Master keys have a unique serial number that allows one to track keys to their individual holders using tracking software. Key serialization allows for effective key control in businesses and protected areas.

  • The oldest known lock was found in ruins near Ninevah

Egyptian archeologists found the oldest known lock in ruins near Ninevah 4,000 years ago. However, archeologists believe that there could be locks older than this artifact. The lock was primitive in nature as it used a wooden bolt and pegs to secure a door.  

  • Nearly 30 percent of burglaries are attributed to unlocked windows or doors

Not all burglaries occur as a result of picking locks or tampering with the lock mechanism. A considerable proportion of burglaries happen because people leave their windows and doors unlocked.   

  • James Sargent invented the earliest combination lock in 1857

James Sargent (1824-1910) created the world’s first key-changeable combination lock. Sargent’s lock mechanism became instrumental in making safes. He later established a company that specialized in manufacturing a wide range of high-security products.  

Call BAYSIDE LOCKSMITH & SECURITY For All Of Your Locksmith Needs

At Bayside Locksmith & Security we offer a wide array of locksmith services, including key cutting, key duplication, lockout services, key replacement, key fob programming, emergency locksmith services and many more. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to serve you.