Car owners rarely think about auto locksmith services until their car keys stop working. Unfortunately, car keys malfunctions can impede your day-to-day activities, and they need to be solved immediately. 

Sometimes these malfunctions will come and go, but that shouldn't trick you into downplaying the problem. So, whenever you notice problems with your car locks and keys, contact an automotive locksmith immediately. That said, here are the signs that should prompt you to call an automotive locksmith for help.

Lost Car Keys

Most lockout incidents happen when car owners misplace or lose their car keys. It is one of the main reasons why people call an auto locksmith. A professional locksmith will help you regain access to your car and also make a new key on the spot. 

That said, you won't have to worry about getting new keys from the dealership. All in all, car key replacements are only possible with traditional car keys. And even then, it will depend on your vehicle model.

Damaged Keys

Just like your house keys, car keys aren't immune to damage. The fact that you'll be using your car keys often means they'll be susceptible to wear and tear. Therefore, your car key might become weak and break inside the ignition lock cylinder while trying to turn it. 

Also, if the grooves of your car keys get damaged, it means you can no longer open any lock. As you well know, the key grooves must correspond with your car lock's internal mechanism for it to work. 

While you might not have any visual evidence that your key grooves are damaged, you can tell that something is off if you are struggling to open the locks or they can't open at all. At that point, you have to call for an auto locksmith service.

You Have Copied or Aftermarket Car Keys

Most car owners prefer to purchase aftermarket keys instead of getting new keys from the dealership. If not, they'll just get their original car key duplicated. Unfortunately, these keys may not match the quality of the original key. Therefore, it's almost guaranteed that you'll run into a problem at one point. 

If you bought an aftermarket car key and didn't reprogram it, you'll need the services of an auto locksmith. The locksmith will program the key and pair it to your vehicle. In case you run into problems while using copied or aftermarket keys, you should get a replacement.

You should never overlook any car key problems. Always have a professional auto locksmith inspect your car keys and locks whenever you notice any problems.