Auto Authority Lock & Key

If you purchase a used car in a private sale, we highly recommend having the doors and the ignition rekeyed. While the person you bought the car from may be trustworthy, there is no need to take any chances.

Ever heard of bumping? It's a special tool, somewhat like a master key, that can bypass many standard pin and tumbler locks. It was originally used legally by locksmiths, but is also used by criminals. There are locking systems that cannot be opened using a bumping tool.

A problem with your vehicle that requires a locksmith is something that doesn’t regularly happen. That's why it's important to know who to call if you find yourself locked out of your vehicle or with a broken car in an isolated area late at night.

Did you know that it wasn’t until the 1920s that locks were installed quite regularly in vehicles? This is because most vehicles owned prior to that time were possessions of the rich and seldom left along (instead, usually left with a driver or another employee).

If you find yourself locked out of your car or home, the first step is to make sure you're in a safe and well-lit location. Then call a locksmith. They'll come to your location and get you back in or on the road quickly.

We recognize that getting into your vehicle may not be the only issue when your key breaks off inside your door lock. Let’s talk about what we can do to help you get into your car and help you get a new key so that it will start.

Why call a locksmith? Locksmiths perform a number of different jobs including repair and installation of home security systems, safe and vault installations, changing and duplicating locks, and assisting individuals who get locked out of their home or automobile.

If your car uses a transponder to start and you need it replaced (whether it’s been lost or damaged), then it will need to be reprogrammed as well. We offer complete reprogramming/recoding services for all makes and models.

Have you ever seen an alarm company's advertisement that says locks are useless to keep out burglars? This is only the case if you use the cheapest, bottom-of-the-line lockset. A good-quality locking system installed by a professional can keep out virtually any thief.

Years back, the only type of lock an auto locksmith had to deal with was a simple pin tumbler lock. However, with today’s advancements, they now have to deal with everything from keyless entry systems to touch pad and even bio-tech recognition systems.

Do you know what the bow of a key is? It’s the part of the key you hold when operating the lock or latch.

Is your deadbolt lock stiff and hard to turn? The culprit may be a misaligned inside trim piece. When the inside trim is higher than it should be, it can cause the tailpiece to tilt and rub against the retainer pin.

Many people own a vault or fireproof safe to store their important documents and valuables. We can also help you install a safe in your home so it works correctly and provides you with complete security and peace of mind.

The receipt or invoice should be fully itemized and detail the work performed, costs and any additional charges for things like key replacements or service charges.

Door locking systems have come a long way in the last few years. Relying on a standard key may be conventional, but today it isn't uncommon to find keyless systems that use keypads or fingerprint readers.

Even though there are a number of deadbolt lock styles on the market, most security experts recommend using a model with a minimum one-inch throw bolt. This provides added protection against forced entry.

Locks and keys are sometimes used in literature metaphorically. In his Venus and Adonis, Shakespeare wrote Were beauty under twenty locks kept fast, yet love breaks through and picks them all at last.

Originally, cars had the same lock code for both the door key and the ignition key. However, this gave thieves a much easier way to gain access to the car, which is why many car manufacturers switched to separate keys for doors and ignition.

The more current your car is, the greater the damage that can be done by trying to open your car with something other than a key. Car doors now house extensive wiring systems as well as air bags any of which can be irreparably damaged.

The oldest known lock was found in the palace ruins of Persian Khorsabad, near Nineveh. Archaeologists believe the lock to easily be 4,000 years old. In fact, this lock was a forerunner to a type of lock called a pin tumbler common in ancient Egypt.

Whenever possible, especially on exterior doors, always choose locks made from heavy gauge steel or solid brass with hardened metal parts. Avoid brass-plated zinc, as it is softer and easier to defeat.

Have you ever reached for the wrong key and put a foreign key into the ignition. This can damage the ignition and the locking mechanism. Auto locksmiths are trained to remedy the problem.

One lock picking technique is called raking (which is actually much less precise than actual picking). To rake a lock, the locksmith inserts a pick with a wider tip all the way to the back of the plug and then pull it out quickly so that it bounces all the pins up on its way out.

When the transponder in your car’s master key goes out, you will not be able to start your car. Replacing this chip is an easy process that takes very little time, and programming it to your vehicle is a snap.

The vast majority of house break-ins occur at the front and side doors and through the garage. To better protect against garage door entry, a side-mounted interior garage door lock is recommended. Though it may be inconvenient until you get used to it, the security it provides is invaluable.

Have you ever had a jammed ignition cylinder? It can be pretty frustrating when you can't start your car, but sometimes there's a quick fix for the problem. The next time it happens, try gently wiggling your steering wheel.

It’s best not to have an extra key anywhere on your property. To reduce the chance of theft, the safest place for a spare key is with a trustworthy neighbor or two. If you must hide a key on your property, be creative and put it in a non-obvious place.

Does it ever seem like your keys plan to lock themselves in the car at the worst possible moments? Whether you need to get to daycare to pick up your kids or you’re stranded at the store with all your groceries, we’re here for you.

Sensitive areas of your business should be protected with multiple levels of security. Here are some areas you may want to keep doubly secure in the future: file rooms, tool storage, supply cabinets and server rooms.

Are the car keys missing? Security experts state that changing the car locks when you lose your keys is an important security measure. An auto locksmith can rekey both the car doors and the ignition, making your old keys useless.

Having your home locked up whenever you are away or asleep is the easiest way to prevent burglaries. Another way to prevent being robbed, especially by a professional, is concealing all wiring of your alarm system.

There was time when having an extra car key made was as simple as going to the local five-and-dime and having a new one cut. Today’s anti-theft technology though, requires the expertise of experienced locksmiths who understand transponder codes and other security concepts.

Have you ever heard the term classroom function? This refers to a lock where the outside of a knob or lever is locked and unlocked by a key only. There is no thumb turn on the inside. Regardless of whether the lock is engaged, you may always exit freely.

A little added security is never a bad thing. A good locksmith can help you assess the security needs of your home or business and help to recommend and install the appropriate lock systems for your security needs.

With a power door lock in a modern car, the actuator (the part that actually controls the lock) is positioned below the latch and connected via a rod. When the actuator moves the latch up, it connects the outside door handle to the opening mechanism, enabling the door to be opened.

We can explain why it's a good idea to choose a lock with the highest available ANSI grade. Locks only receive the top grade - a Grade 1 - after undergoing a series of tests.

An auto locksmith can help you with more than just locking your keys in the car. For example, keys can very occasionally break off in the lock or the ignition. But don’t worry. An auto locksmith will be able to help you with the key.

Did you know the padlock was nearly considered an art form? Padlocks came in various shapes though usually geometric, and were etched with animal and religious images. These locks were preferred by European traveling merchants.

Did you know that in vintage automobiles, ignition and door locks were generally keyed identically? Likewise, truck locks and glove box locks were keyed alike but used a separate key code from the ignition/door.

One in 36 homes is burglarized every year. That figure varies based on location and other factors like time of year. Statistically, the risk of your home being burglarized isn't high, but it still pays to take all reasonable precautions to keep your family and belongings safe.

Some modern conveniences aren’t always that convenient. Several new car models feature a timed relocking mechanism that within 30 seconds automatically relocks the vehicle if the doors have been unlocked but the driver’s door hasn’t been opened.

Since young children can be great at locking doors, yet find themselves unable to unlock them, you may want to keep our number in your phone if you’re going to be outside when your children are inside. This will ensure you have the ability to get back in to them.

Did you know that laser cut automobile keys are also known as sidewinder keys? This is a reference to the distinctive winding cut of the shank. This type of key also features a built-in transponder chip that will need to be reprogrammed in the case of a replacement.

Tumbler locks are fairly commonly used by businesses and residential properties alike. There are three basic varieties: lever tumbler, disk tumbler and pin tumbler. Of the three, which is the most common? If you guessed the pin tumbler lock style, you're right.

If you have purchased a vehicle in a private sale, it is a good idea to have the door locks, and even the ignition, reprogrammed and rekeyed to prevent theft. No disrespect to the seller, but you have no way of knowing how many sets of keys are out there.

There are a number of different security measures for your home other than just locks. Other than just changing, installing or repairing your homes locks, locksmiths can also help with installing or repairing high security locks, intercom systems and sometimes even property gates.

One of the many benefits of an auto locksmith is that they will come to you no matter what your location may be. This can include a busy downtown area during Friday evening rush hour, or late at night on a lonely abandoned farm road in the middle of nowhere.

Getting your car towed to a dealership and completely rekeyed involves a lot of expense. You’ll have to pay for the tow, pay for a new set of keys, and pay for a new lock. Having a locksmith unlock your car is a lot more affordable.

Exterior door locks are available with a number of additional features. If desired, you can install locks that can be opened remotely or, for dark areas, combined with motion detectors to provide necessary lighting for ease of access or to scare away intruders.

Remote locking systems offer a convenient way to secure a vehicle with the push of a button. What assurance do you have that the command actually worked, though? If you guessed that the system will alert you by sounding the horn or using another visual or auditory cue, you're right.

According to the FBI, the average amount of time for a burglar to defeat a lock was no more than two minutes. However, by installing high security locks on your business, you can defeat a burglar who will move on if a lock can't easily be compromised. A commercial locksmith has the expertise to install high security locks on your business.

Keeping a spare set of keys at the office can prevent lockouts during the business day. Each car should have at least three sets of keys.

Ever wondered how people secured doors and gates before the invention of the lock and key? They used ropes tied with complicated knots. Imagine one of those complex nautical knots and you've got the idea.

A few qualities you should look for in a theft-resistant lock are keyed deadbolts, saw-resistant bolts, and a bolt-assembly protector. These components make it much harder for burglars to get past your locks and into your home.

Many car insurance policies offer coverage for the services of a locksmith, as do most automobile associations. It is always a good idea to review your policy or benefits to know the extent of coverage so you can add a locksmith if you do not already have that protection.

Are you concerned that you’ll have trouble finding a locksmith familiar with your company’s controlled access system? Let’s talk about the equipment you use and whether it’s one that we can help you with in a jam.

That lock on the gas cap may have seemed like a good idea when you got your car, but with the car nearly out of gas and the key missing, the lock may not seem as smart. An emergency auto locksmith can come to your location and open the gas cap so you are not stranded.

In some businesses you want to limit access by the public. A locksmith can install an electronic access control system that allows employees to enter areas with the use of a code, but keeps customers out until the business owner such as a doctor, lawyer or dentist is ready to see them.

Did you know some cars come with an additional key called the valet key? This key starts the car and opens the driver’s side door, but prevents valet from gaining access to valuables located in your trunk or glove box.

Do you know the safety precautions you should take if your keys are stolen? To avoid giving someone easy access to your home or office, you should have your locks changed. A professional locksmith can often replace only the tumbler rather than the whole lockset, which is more economical than replacing the whole lock and knob set.

Do you belong to a national auto club? You could rely on an operator in another state to find the handful of locksmiths on call in the nearest city. But to get the fastest possible response, give us call.