Steve’s Lock Out is now carrying protective covers for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury remotes.
Steve's Lock Out is now carrying protective and decorative skins for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury remotes
These remote covers slip easily on to your Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury remote. Not only do they protect your remote they also come in your favorite color to match your personality or your car.
Look for remote covers for other types of vehicles in the near future.
At Steve’s Lock Out we have built quite a reputation for keys that work right the first time. We’ve won over many customers with that simple fact.
Why do our keys work? Our staff has been cutting keys for over 10 years. We use high quality duplicating machines and they are frequently checked for accuracy. We also carry a huge variety of keys. Over 2400 different keys. Chances are that we have the correct key for your application.
So not only do they work. They are very accurate. Why is this important? A key that is not cut correctly can be very hard on locks. What’s worse is they can get stuck in or break off in a lock which translates to further frustration and more expense.
2400 keys? Why so many? So we have the correct key for your needs. Believe it or not 2400 is still a long ways from having all the possible keys, however, it covers our market pretty well. Why is having the correct key so important? Many home stores and other retailers use keys that cover several applications to minimize the number of keys they have to carry. This is seldom a good idea. Some of these keys are milled much thinner to pass multiple keyways making them much more prone to breaking and twisting.
Since June of 1999 Steve’s Lock Out has cut over 32,000 keys. Most of those have been in the last 4 years. Out of that 32,000+ we’ve had less than 45 returned. That’s about a 99.85% success rate.
Next time you need a key cut consider giving us a try. Or if your not in the Parsons, Kansas area give your local locksmith a try. You might be pleasantly pleased with the results.
Steve’s Lock Out is located at 1806 Main Street in downtown Parsons, KS.
We’ve been very busy these last few weeks and I wanted to let my readers know I am still here. Hopefully I will get a breath soon and have some time to put together a new article. Until then stay tuned………
In the first article “Buying Chip Keys and Remotes Off the Internet” I address purchasing chip keys. Now it’s time for the remotes.
And as in the article about the keys I want to clear up a few things about remotes.
Here is the scenario. You lock your keys in your car, but you spouse has the other keys and remote at home. So you simply call and have them hold the remote up to their cell phone and hit the unlock button as you hold your cell phone near the car. Bingo! It’s unlocked right? Wrong! Cell phones do not have the capability to broadcast the radio frequencies your remote uses to unlock and lock your car. I have had people challenge this only to realize that it was simply their remote unlocking the car all the way across the parking lot. When increasing the distance it no longer worked. I will admit though I’ve seen some new systems that use what is basically a cell phone built in and you simply call the number and enter a security code and the car unlocks. I believe these new systems as handy as they are, are adding fuel to the myths of cell phone unlockings.
All GM remotes work with all GM products, all Nissan remotes work with all Nissan products, etc. Where as one remote may cover more than one model on more than one year it will not cover them all. For instance I keep over 20 different GM remotes in stock. I believe its actually higher I’m just being conservative. I’ve never actually counted them.
Now how does a remote work?
There are 2 was that auto remotes broadcast a signal to your car.
In some of the first remote factory systems an infrared signal was used. These were a bad idea. Very low security.
Then radio frequencies were introduced. These used what is called a fixed signal. Much better, however, still alot of room for improvement.
All vehicles now use remotes that use a radio frequency with a rolling code. I’ve yet to see this cracked.
What should I look out for when purchasing a remote?
First of all you need to know if your vehicle is equipped for a remote. Most places that sell remotes should be able to guide you through this.
Next you will need to pick the right remote. This is done by narrowing it to down by asking a few questions. What make is my vehicle? What model? Year? Does it have power sliding doors? How many? Does it have a solenoid activated hatch or trunk release? Does it have remote start?
Now that selecting the right remote is out of the way here are some questions to ask so you don’t get taken for a ride.
Is it used or new? Some places sell used refurbished, or in some cases notrefurbished remotes. These are sometimes referred to as “grade 2″ remotes. These may have scratches or blemishes, but should be in good working order. Keep in mind they will have the original circuit board in them so they already are partially worn out. Two problems we see a lot are broken battery contacts, this can be fixed many times by soldering. And worn out buttons, this requires a whole new remote.
What kind of warrenty is offered? Usually you will get a longer warrenty with a new remote than with a refurbished one. See the last 2 sentences of the paragraph above.
Are they factory or aftermarket remotes?
Can this remote be programmed by using OBP (On Board Programming)? In other words can I do it myself?
If not how much will it cost to have it programmed? This can vary quite a bit. Usually all it takes is a phone call to find this out.
I hope this will provide you with some information that will be useful to you the next time you need to shop for a new remote or key for your vehicle.
Steve’s Lock Out provides and programs factory remotes and keys in the Parson, Kansas area.
I sometimes feel like a nay sayer with many of the articles I write, however, I feel like I need to inform the general public of situations where they could be taken advantage of.
My topic for this article is remotes and “chip” keys.
First I want to clear up a few things on what a chip key is. They can and are called many different things by vehicle owners, manufacturers and dealers including some four letter words when priced by the consumer who just wants an extra key and didn’t even know their key contained a chip. Some terms you may have heard are transponder, chip, immobilizer, smart key, computer key, security key, anti-theft, PATS, Sentry key and there are many others. Irregardless of what they are called they are a key with a transponder in them. Below is a key we stock that you can see right through the head of the key. It happens to be a Ford key. And to the right of that a close up of a transponder. Many people are unaware that their is a transponder in their key because it is house in plastic and not visible.
What is a transponder? The word Transponder itself is a combination of two words; transmitter and responder. Occasionally abbreviated TPDR, TR, XPNDR or XPDR. When you put your key into your ignition and turn the key. An antenna either on, around or near your ignition transmits a signal to your key. They key then needs to “respond” back with the appropriate signal to let the car know its ok to start.
What is the purpose of a transponder? Simply put, to make your vehicle harder to steal. Forcing the ignition will not allow the car to run like it would on many non transponder vehicles. There are other systems that deture this as well, but I’ll save that for another article.
Clear Ford Key Showing TransponderA Close Up of a Transponder
VATS Key
Feel free to contact us with any additional questions you might have.
Steve’s Lock Out sells and programs chip keys and remotes in the Parsons, Kansas area. Feel free to drop by for an estimate at 1806 Main.
This is Steve signing off.
I really like reading this and believe it speaks volumes from a security professionals stand point. I did not actually write this and could find no clues to who actually did. (Actually I have now and the source is credited at the bottom of the article)
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3.. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste … and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5.. If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.
12. You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)
14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
16. I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.
17. I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
18. I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.
20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.
21. If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina, Oregon, California, and Kentucky; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job.
Sometimes it pays to listen to your Locksmith and compare the pros and cons and prices before making a decision. Today I’m referring to Auto Locks. Ignitions, especially, when they fail. There are some vehicles that failed ignitions are quite common. We try to keep the most ignitions in stock, but sometimes they aren’t available or you are one of several customers that has called us and they haven’t been restocked yet. So that means ignitions are sometimes out of stock or are not a regular stock item, however, we can usually have them overnighted if your in a pinch.
The price we quote you includes:
We suggest doing it this way. Why? For many reasons. Here are a few.
If you decide to shop around, make sure to ask the individual what all is covered in the fees. Does your vehicle need towed to their location? Will the replaced ignition be new and set to your original key? What, if any, additional labor charges are involved.
I hope this article will help you out in making a decision if you personally ever have to deal with this problem.
For Dodge and Chrysler
Needing to replace a remote head key can be exspensive problem. Whether the problem is a worn or broken key blade or broken shell we can fix your problem economically. Steve’s Lock Out is now providing replacement remote shells for Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth remote head keys for a fraction of the cost of a new remote head key.
These are the shell and blade only. There is no chip or remote contained in these. The board and buttons will have to be removed from your key and placed into the new shell and the blade cut to your key to work your vehicle. Shells are available for 3, 4, 5 and 6 button remotes head keys.
If a new shell can’t fix your problem we also can provide, cut and program new remote head keys. We also sell the new ”Pod” keys as well as a plethora of other auto keys and remotes.
Winter weather is here. It’s been rather odd here in the mid-west, nothing like what we are used to. Here’s a quick winter weather tip for you…….
Have an extra door key made for your car/truck. Keep it on a separate key ring in a different pocket. When you go out to start your car on these wintry mornings to warm it up and defrost the ice and snow you won’t be locked out when your vehicle “automatically” locks on you when you least expect it.
Just a note. We previously could not make keys for some of the 2003+ Pontiac Grand Ams. We now have rectified this with new software. This same software will also let us service many Canadian issued GMs.
