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WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CAR KEYS ARE STOLEN |
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You have lost your spare set of keys,
because someone stole yours yesterday
while you were shopping and stole them
out of your purse right beside you on the
counter. Then you had to call your husband
to bring his set of keys so you could drive
the car home.
Now you have to worry about some car
thief targeting your car because he has a
set of keys that will allow him to just start
it up and drive off. He may have even
followed you home so he would know where
the car is usually parked. You can also hope
that your car is all this creep wants!
Ok, so what do I do now? Just a
reminder, if someone wants to steal your
car, they can usually find a way to do it.
What you have to do is make it harder for
him to steal so he will go on to the next
person’s car, which may be more vulnerable
than yours.
But, for now, go to your car dealer, the
one for your type vehicle. They can get you
a new set of keys and have you driving off
in no time. You have two basic choices; either get a new set of keys with new chips
which have to be re-sequenced with your
car’s computer, or get both the keys and
new barrels as well. Barrels are the part of
the locking mechanism, which you insert
your key into. Be prepared, because this
can be quite expensive.
Car manufacturer’s and insurance
companies have worked hard to create
ways to prevent cars from being stolen.
The latest technology for vehicles is
a product of the computer age. Almost
all cars today are equipped with onboard
computers. These computers perform a
myriad number of tasks allowing them to
enhance your car’s performance and fuel
economy.
At the time of
manufacture,
each set of keys is
equipped
with a chip
containing a
numerical code, up to 32 characters long.
This allows billions of possible numeric combinations so your set of keys has it’s
own unique identity for your vehicle alone.
Also, at the time of manufacture, this
code is matched to your vehicle’s computer
and identification number stamped on the
dash so it can be easily read through the
windshield.
When you insert your key into the
car’s ignition slot, and turn the key to the
on position, a signal goes out to the chip
in your unique key(s) and “pings” the
chip. The computer receives a signal back
that tells it this is the correct set of keys
that should be allowed to start and drive
this vehicle. Once this has occurred, your
car’s engine will start and you are on your
way. Electronically, this happens almost
instantaneously, so you are unaware
of the matching sequence taking
place.
Keep your car keys in a
safe place with you while
you are away from the
car and also keep your car
insured against car theft. |
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