What are Car Door Locks for?
Car door locks are designed to keep your car safe, but they can’t do that if they’re not in good working order.
Locks that don’t work properly or get stuck when you try to use them are a sign of trouble, and it’s important to have them repaired as soon as possible.
A professional automotive locksmith will be able to clean out the lock and replace any pins that need replacing so that everything goes smoothly again.
How Do Car Door Locks Work?
The key to a car lock is its ability to operate the locks in the doors. This is done with a series of pins that are set up in such a way so when you insert your key, these pins will line up and allow you access.
It is important for this process to happen quickly because if they don’t, there’s no telling how long it would take for someone inside the vehicle to get out. The following outlines what happens when you insert your key into your car door and more helpful information about car door locks.
1) Insert Key Into Lock And Turn Clockwise
When inserting the key into the lock on your car door, turn it clockwise until either: A) You hear an audible click or B) The handle moves (indicating that all of the locks have unlocked).
2) Do Not Remove The Key from the Lock
Once you hear the click noise or notice that all of the locks have been disengaged, do not remove your key. This is important because if you do, one or more of the locks will reengage and then only a local dealership will be able to open the door.
3) Firmly Pull Handle
With your key still inserted into the car door, pull the handle firmly to open it. This will disengage the locks on your vehicle and allow you to exit it.
The whole process may seem complicated, but once you’ve done it a few times, you’ll realize just how simple it is. Once you get the hang of it, you will be able to do so in a matter of seconds.
Now that you know how a car door lock works, let’s talk about the different types of door locks in a car.
Types of Car Door Locks
There are several types of locks that you will encounter on a day-to-day basis and knowing about them can help you out in the long run.
The Flip Lock: This lock is actually pretty easy to figure out as it consists of three to four tumblers within its cylinder. It’s typically located at the bottom corners of your car door (either right or left). To operate, turn the key to its first position and then lift it up. The flip lock should then pop open.
The Slide Lock: This kind of lock is also pretty simple as all you have to do is slide the button directly on the handle toward your vehicle and it will disengage. Also located in the lower portion of your car door.
The Push Button Lock: You won’t find this type of lock on every car, but it is a fairly common one. All you have to do with this type of lock is press down and hold the button while using the key to open your vehicle.
The Automatic Locks: These locks function automatically as soon as you drive your car.
The Double Lock: This is the most secure type of lock that you can find as it consists of two locks (one on top and one underneath). The key must be pulled out and then inserted into both locks in order to open this type of vehicle.
Now that you know all about different types of locks on your car door, it’s time to look at how keyless entry systems work.
How Keyless Entry Devices Work
These devices are more popular than ever before and for good reason. They allow you to get in your vehicle without having to go through the hassle of finding your keys or even taking them out of your pocket since most keyless entry devices are attached to your keychain.
All you have to do is press a button on the small device that will either unlock or lock all of the doors in your vehicle. Some systems allow you to control them with voice commands while others operate by fingerprints, but their purpose stays the same – increased security and convenience.
Car Door Lock Tips
If you’re not familiar with how a car door lock works, it’s important to know the right way to operate one. Here are some common mistakes people make when they try to open their car door and ways that you can avoid them:
If You Hear a Click But Can’t Open Your Car Door – First of all, make sure that you are using the right key or having someone give you a hand (literally) by unlocking your vehicle for you. Also, make sure that all of your locks are unlocked before inserting your key into the door to avoid locking yourself out.
If You Insert The Wrong Key – Make sure that you pull it back out immediately since inserting the wrong kind of key can actually cause your locks to re-engage. If you try to break the lock by turning your key over and over again, it will take longer for someone to open your car door for you.
If You Lose Your Car Keys – If you are the unfortunate victim of a lost or stolen key, then you can call in a professional since they have the tools and training to get into your vehicle and replace your locks.
If Your Car Lock Is Broken – Make sure that you contact a professional who can handle this task for you rather than trying to fix it yourself. Even if all you need is a new spring, jamming something like this into your lock could result in it becoming damaged and not working properly.
The Locking Systems
There are actually several different types of locking systems that have been developed to keep your vehicle safe from intruders. The most common ones are:
Pin Tumbler System – the oldest and simplest form of lock used in cars, it is also what you find on desk drawers and filing cabinets. The pins look like small metal cylinders and when the correct key is inserted into the lock, they lift up and allow you access. While effective, this system is also very easy to pick open – even with household tools.
Disc Tumbler System – instead of using pins that can be manipulated with a simple screwdriver or paper clip, this system uses a flat steel disc that has an indentation in it. When the key is inserted, a pressure point is created and this allows access to the rest of the locking system. This system isn’t as easy to pick open as the pin tumbler one, but you can still do so with ease using household tools. It’s important to note that this type of system is one of the most expensive and difficult to install.
The Locking Systems That Protect You The Best
Unlock It – This system uses a control that is hidden from view and has several steps built into it for added security. You must push a button, turn the key and then insert the proper code before it will open. It is the most secure option you can have installed on your car, but it can also be costly.
Auto Locking System – This system uses an electronic device located in the engine compartment that detects when a door has been closed and then engages all of the locks automatically after five to 10 seconds. This is not as secure as an unlock button and can be defeated with a screwdriver, but it makes your car more convenient.
Ideal – This is the newest technology available in locking systems and it actually reads your fingerprint when you place your finger on the handle of the door to open it. It’s easy to use and there are no keys involved when operating this system so they cannot fall into the wrong hands. It is also highly secure and difficult to defeat.
Touchless Unlocking System – This is a combination of an auto-locking system with a fingerprint reader built into it. It reads your fingerprint as you place your finger on the door handle and then allows entry only after verifying that it is you attempting to open the car. This is the safest option available and it’s becoming more popular with each passing day.
No matter which system you have installed on your vehicle, however, if someone breaks into your car then none of them will prevent the thieves from gaining entry to it. Keeping your windows rolled up and parking in well-lighted areas can help reduce the risk of this happening, but it is important to know that nothing you install on your car can keep a determined criminal from gaining entry.
When it comes to your car lock, you should take all precautionary measures to keep it in good working order. Here are some signs that something is wrong with your car lock:
1) Your locks are getting stuck
A great way to tell if you’re having problems with your locks is by simply trying to open and close them. If you can’t seem to move them smoothly or if they feel stuck, it could be a sign that there’s something wrong. This problem could be caused by dirt or debris that has gotten into the lockset, preventing it from working properly.
2) Your key doesn’t seem to fit the slot
If you notice this, take it out and clean off any dirt or dust that might have collected on it before trying again. If you still can’t get it to work, it might be because the key is damaged. If this is the case, you will need to take your car in for service at a local dealership.
3) You hear clicking noises when inserting or removing your key
This means that one or more of the locks has not disengaged completely and needs to be reset. Take out your key and reinsert it, this should do the trick.
By keeping your car lock in good working order, you will ensure that your vehicle is always secure and ready for use at any time. If you notice something wrong with it or if you think one of these signs may apply to you, contact a professional automotive locksmith to come and inspect it. A professional automotive locksmith can they can diagnose the problem and fix it.
They will most likely be able to use some cleaning solution to remove excess “gunk” from the lock before installing new pins that should make everything work smoothly again. This way, you can make sure that all of your locks will be working properly when the need arises.
Through proper care and maintenance, you should be able to keep your car keys functioning properly and in good condition. Just like every other part of your vehicle, you need to take care of them and fix them when they break down. This will allow you to get the most out of the life of your lockset and make sure that it is always in its best working order.
Auto Key and Remote Replacement and Repair in Austin
Be sure to contact Austin Car Key Pro if you believe you have a faulty car door lock or keyless entry system. Our team has the skills and expertise needed to handle this kind of problem for you so that you can get back to enjoying your vehicle.
We understand that this is a cause of great inconvenience for our customers and we do everything we can to make the process as simple and easy for you as possible.
We are available by phone or email at all hours of the day, even on the weekends. We will rush to your location as soon as you let us know that you need our services so that we can get this work done for you right away. Call us today so that we can get your car back to its former dependability in no time!
If you want to find out more about what we can do for you, give us a call at (512) 489-0996 or visit our website at austincarkeys.com to schedule your appointment now!