Lost your car keys? Here’s what you need to know
Nothing puts a damper on your day quite like misplacing your car keys—especially if you’re ducking in and out of The Base or picking up the kids from Rototuna Primary. First thing you’ll notice, can’t get in your ride. Second, it’s not going anywhere, no matter how hard you stare at it. That’s when it really kicks in, eh?
We always recommend having a spare set tucked away for moments like this. If you’ve got an older Toyota Hilux, maybe a Honda Logo, or some Aussie classic, your local hardware in Hamilton might be able to cut a basic spare for you, no drama. But if you’re rolling around in a late-model VW Tiguan or a Mazda Axela, it’s a different story.
Most of the cars these days, especially anything from the last 10-15 years—think Suzuki Swifts, Kia Souls, hell, even those quirky Peugeot 208s—have transponder chips in the key. So you can get a blank cut for the door, but to actually start the engine? Nah, that’s coded. You’ll need that fancy programmable key, otherwise, the immobiliser kicks in and all you’ll get is the engine turning over, nothing else.
A lot of newer keys have little remotes on the fob to unlock the doors and set off the alarm. If it starts playing up—like needing to be right up close on Grey Street or you’re hitting the button and nothing’s happening half the time—your fob battery might be on the way out. Seen it pretty often, especially in the depths of a Hamilton winter when batteries like to play up. Best to swap that battery before you get stuck outside Pak’nSave with a boot full of groceries, eh?
If you’ve only got the one key and you lose it, don’t panic! You’ll need a new one sorted by a proper automotive locksmith. If you want to stop losing your keys for good, check out these handy tips on not losing your car keys.
When your car key won’t even open the door
Now and then, we get folks in from places like Cambridge or Ngaruawahia saying their key just won’t turn in the door. Most times, it’s not the key—it’s the latch inside the door playing up, or every now and then, the lock’s frozen solid on a cold morning in Hamilton East. Had a customer in a Hyundai Santa Fe, couldn’t open the driver’s door after a chilly night. Fixed it up easy with a bit of TLC and a new latch assembly. If you run into the same, just ask us about car door repairs.
New car keys cut in Hamilton—easy as
At Grimmer Motors, we keep it simple. Drop your car off, and we’ll tee up the right specialist for cutting and coding new car keys. We’ve got trusted Hamilton locksmiths we work with—been helping locals for years. Doesn’t matter if you’re driving a Nissan Leaf from Glenview or a Subaru Forester up from Morrinsville, we’ll sort it. Lost all your keys and can’t drive in? No worries—we’ll get a tow sorted or send a locksmith out to where you’re parked, whether it’s out in Te Kowhai or just down the road in Fairfield.
Our job is to take the stress off your shoulders. Need your key programmed, cut, recoded—whatever. If it’s a key or lock thing, we’ll get it organised. If you need a hand with any other car problems while you’re at it, from car service Hamilton to hybrid repair or sorting a grumpy WOF Hamilton, we’re always happy to help.
Just a heads up—we don’t usually keep spare key parts sitting round the back. But if you can get your car to us here at Grimmer Motors, we’ll check it out, do any diagnostics, and sort the right fix for you. Honest advice, every time.