Whether it’s walking out to the driveway or in the parking lot of a store, if you’ve ever been denied access to your car, you know how frustrating this inconvenience can be. Sometimes, the problem has nothing to do with your car at all, but the key you use to open it. According to auto locksmiths, these are some of the most common reasons why you can’t open your vehicle.

3 Reasons Your Car Key Needs an Auto Locksmith’s Help

1. It’s Damaged

After months or years of throwing your keys in a bowl, having them confined in your pockets, or keeping them at the bottom of a purse, it’s no surprise that they are subject to wear and tear. Unfortunately, this could cause erosion or scratches that alter the shape of your key—which is what it uses to open your lock. As a result, they may not push the pins inside the lock in the right way, failing to open your door. Rather than try to force a damaged key into a lock, call a professional to asses the key and determine the next course of action.

2. It’s a Copy

Whether you share a car with your spouse or are nervous about getting locked out of your vehicle, you’ve probably made a spare set of keys. However, if you lose the original pair, you might start strictly using the copy, or worse, making copies of the copy. Every time a key is replicated, small inaccuracies from the duplication process are magnified until the copy eventually won’t open your car door at all. In this situation, you’ll need to have a locksmith create a new replacement key instead of copying the old one again. Professionals do this based on factors like your vehicle’s VIN number, year, make, and model. 

3. It’s an Aftermarket Key

When you lost your key, did you get another one straight from your vehicle’s manufacturer? Or did you purchase an aftermarket version? Since these are not made by the same exact machines, or sometimes even the same materials, they may not slip into your lock or open your electronic locks with the same precision. Instead of jamming them into the door in hopes of unlocking it, invest in an original manufacturer model that won’t damage your vehicle.

If you’re unable to get into your car and want to find a reputable auto locksmith, Elyria Locksmith Service, Inc. will come to your rescue. They have been helping drivers in Lorain County with lock-related issues for 37 years, and they will be happy to get to the bottom of your car key problem. In addition to being trusted auto locksmiths, they also open safes, install locks, and repair commercial and residential locks. For more information on their skills, visit the website, or call (440) 366-5625 to schedule an appointment.