ATVs
ByBill Regal
You wake up one morning and want to take your ATV out for your next off-roading adventure. After packing up and getting ready to hit the trails, a sinking feeling overtakes your stomach because you can’t find your ATV keys.
Few things are as stressful as losing keys, particularly the ones to your favorite toy.
Replacing your lost ATV keys is a process and requires several steps to get you back to roaming the outdoors.
Has losing your ATV keys stressed you out? Here are several things you can do to replace them and return to enjoying the outdoors.
Although it may be a little embarrassing, try calling your dealership to see if the ATV dealership has spare keys on hand or if they can cut a new one for you.
Before you head to the dealership, you’ll need to write down your VIN, which you can find stamped on the vehicle’s frame in most cases.
Getting a replacement key is usually inexpensive, but the price varies based on the dealer and your ATV’s model.
But one thing to note is that some manufacturers assign numbers to ATV keys, so if your dealership asks you for the key number, replacing your key could add an extra challenge.
Also, if you have an older ATV model, there is a possibility that the dealership may no longer carry the key you need. If you know that your model is older, keep this in mind before you make a trip to the dealership.
While most people think locksmiths can only unlock car doors or get you back into your home, they can help. Some situations require reaching out to a locksmith to help get your ATV moving again.
Some locksmith companies specialize in replacing ATV keys, which can be helpful when you can’t get your key from a dealer.
Depending on the model of your ATV, calling a locksmith may require you to remove the ignition switch, which can come with an entirely new set of keys for your ATV. The need to remove the ignition switch is based on the year, make, and model of your ATV and the locksmith company’s guidelines for the situation. Calling ahead and asking all the necessary questions
Surprisingly, you can find ATV keys for some models at online retailers. Depending on the make and model of your ATV, you may be able to order a new one on sites such as Amazon and eBay.
This brings the added convenience of not having to leave your home for your ATV key replacement, provided you have all the information needed to conduct your search, including the VIN and key number (if necessary).
Sometimes, going to your local auto parts store can help get you back to ruling the trails again. While many auto part retailers don’t make replacement ATV keys, you can get a new ignition with its own set of keys.
Despite what you may read online, trying to bypass or hotwire your ATV after losing your keys isn’t the best idea.
Many people believe that hotwiring ATVs is a simple way to get back to the trails, but you may end up doing the situation more harm than good.
Not only are you risking damaging your vehicle, but you could also be putting yourself at risk. Trying to bypass the ignition exposes you to electrical hazards that can be dangerous, particularly if you have no idea what you’re doing.
Your ATV keys are annoying, but they can happen to us all. Taking the necessary precautions can make you more bearable. Placing your ATV keys in an area where you know you’ll remember is a crucial part of keeping up with them.
Of course, where you place your ATV keys depends on your preference and what works best for your lifestyle.
Also, when you return from an outdoor excursion, you should first put your key back in its designated place. While it can be tempting to start doing other things when you get home, taking the step to put your key back in place can save you headaches down the road.
The best way to get back on the road is to get professional assistance, whether you go to your dealership, call a locksmith, order online, or check out a local auto parts store. Taking shortcuts is a surefire way to lengthen the process and create more headaches for yourself.
Using the steps above, you can ensure that you get your ATV back up to speed to enjoy the outdoors again.
Bill Regal
Bill Regal is an offroading enthusiast from Houston, Texas. He has owned a Jeep for the better part of two decades and enjoys exploring the great outdoors. Bill writes about Jeeps, trucks, and offroading tips on OffRoadRanker.com.
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by Lee
We’re only human, so, naturally, we lose our keys.
What sucks is when you lose the keys to your ATV and don’t know what to do?
For some ATV’s and side by sides, losing a key is not a huge deal. For other ATVs, it sucks, and it’s not an easy fix.
The first thing you need to do is figure out what brand and what model ATV or side by side you have.
Do you have a Yamaha, Kawasaki, Polaris, or Arctic Cat? If so, it won’t be so bad. All you need is a regular cut key or a new ignition switch.
Do you own a Can-Am? It’ll be more involved.
Yamaha, Kawasaki, Polaris, and Arctic Cat use what is called a “cut key.” It’s very similar to your house key, where a machine cuts the grooves into a blank key.
Below is a picture of a blank key (right) and the key after it’s been cut (left).
If you lost all your keys for this type of ATV it will require you to buy a new ignition system that comes with a set of new keys.
You pop-out the old ignition, disconnect the wires, plug in a new ignition and lock it in. It’s as simple as that.
Here is a great video showing you how to do this. The advice shown will work on most ATVs that use a cut key.
Can-Am likes to use a digital key, often called DESS. The keys are not cut but instead programmed to your ATV or side by side.
Can-Am does have some models that do use a regular cut key which is often found on their lower-end models. To get a new key for this model will require you to visit your local dealer and order a new ignition system like you would for other ATVs.
To get a new digital key will require you to take it to the dealership and have them program a new one. Sometimes there is a charge to program the key.
Don’t be surprised if the dealership runs the VIN against a list of stolen ATVs. This is why Can-Am does a digital key, it’s to cut down on theft of ATVs and side by sides.
Here are pictures of what a digital key will look like
The top picture is the old digital key and the bottom picture is the new digital key that Can-Am uses. Both keys can be programmed for different riding styles like performance, cruising, or work.
If you have an ATV that doesn’t use a digital key, then you most often can hotwire an ATV.
If you do have a digital key, it’s impossible to hotwire an ATV without breaking something or putting the ATV in a limp-home mode.
You do need to be careful of modern ATVs without a digital key as they’re getting sneaky in stopping hotwiring because of ATV theft.
In other words, I would not guess what wires to cross as it could break something. It’s often easier to just buy a new ignition system than to hotwire.
One of the best places is eBay. You’ll need to search for your brand and model.
Another option is your local ATV dealership, as they’ll have exactly what you need.
If you still have one of the keys and want a spare key, it can be tricky.
If you have a Can-Am with a digital key, you can go to the dealership and have them program you a new one.
Those with a cut key, you’ll need to find blanks. Your local dealership will have them and often instock.
Since many ATVs use a standard size key, you can often get keys like this here that need to be cut.
To get the keys cut, you’ll need to take them somewhere that have the old-school key cutters. Places like Ace Hardware or mom & pop hardware stores often have them.
Going to your local Lowes or Home Depot and using that vending machine won’t work as it’s made for house keys and some car keys.
Make sure to buy extra blanks. I’ve run into my fair share of people who can’t use the old-school key cutters and end up breaking the key.
A sure-fire bet will be your local locksmith. They have all the tools needed to cut the key and do it right. I doubt they’ll have the blanks, but I bet they can get them if you really needed them.
I need to mention this as I’ve run into people needing a new key when, in fact, it was not the issue they had.
There ATV was not starting, and they thought the key or ignition was bad. They later come to find out it was something else, often it’s was the battery.
I have a great article that goes over the reasons why your ATV won’t start here.
The loss of a motorcycle key, especially if it was the only one, will not please anyone.
So, he walked around, fiddling with the keys in his hands, and then op ... where did he leave them? I checked all the pockets, shook all the bags, climbed around the bike ... as if I had sunk into the water! Panic!
The problem of losing a key is not only the cost of replacing it, but also the impossibility of driving a motorcycle from the place where the loss was discovered. Sometimes there are even difficulties with signaling when a motorcycle without a key does not recognize you as the owner. Passers-by squint incredulously and think that a novice hijacker is operating.
By the way, some services may ask you to provide documents for the bike to prove ownership, and only after that they will agree to make a key.
Owners of age models in case of loss of keys with the right dexterity can start the engine bypassing. This is a useful skill for travelers. There are no worse breakdowns than those that occur when you are away from civilization. No one wants to “vote” on the highway and then look for a tow truck because of a stupid oversight.
In this case, the motorcycle will have to be delivered not to its master, but where it will turn out. So-so bonus in the distance.
For older motorcycles, key replacement is faster and much cheaper. It is enough to find an organization that can restore the key from the locks. The owner of the motorcycle will have to remove the ignition switch and another lock from the tank or case. This is done because the master key interacts with each of the locks in different ways. If you provide only one lock, there is a risk of getting a key that only one opens. It will be a shame if it turns out to be a wardrobe trunk lock.
Another option is to simply replace the corresponding blocks with new ones with a different set of keys. It is not a problem to find everything you need on the sites of shops and free ads, but you will have to wait for delivery and spend time / money on installation.
The worst thing is to lose the contactless key. It won’t be possible to start the engine just like that, and replacing the key will cost not just a pretty penny, but a lot of pennies .
.. The contactless key is programmed only for a specific motorcycle, which means that for replacement you will have to program a new chip and change the corresponding unit that recognizes it. This work is troublesome, requires more time and, of course, money.
In order not to run around in a frantic search for specialists when the key is already lost, it is better to calculate this probability in advance. The information will not be superfluous and will save time or nerves if the worst scenario does happen. When the moment of humility comes that the search for the key was not successful, you will only have to dial the right numbers and arrive at the right address, and not sit on a bench and google options.
When buying a motorcycle, be sure to check whether it is possible to start it without a key if the main one suddenly turns out to be lost.
Why not make a duplicate in case of unforeseen circumstances? You can carry a spare key with you in the inside pocket of your jacket or backpack, or you can simply leave it with a loved one.
And you can also make a habit so that over time it will eat into muscle memory: determine the place for the key, where it will automatically send, even when the driver is very tired or absent-minded.
Add a bright element to your key, such as a key ring or ribbon. When the key falls out, it should be noticeable.
Fresh number
RG-week
Rodina
thematic applications
Union
Fresh number
Category:
Cars
03/14/2021 15:00
Boris Zakharov
Many must have experienced an extremely unpleasant feeling associated with the loss of car keys. What to do in such a situation? Let's discuss a possible course of action.
Yuriy Zubko / WG
Looking for the right one
Look at all pockets and bags - a banal but effective advice. It often happens that you forgot the key in other clothes.
It is often useful to recreate the route you took from the car home and remember all the things that you managed to do during this period of time.
Look under the car - the key could fall there. If the transponder key is the only one and you are sure that it fell out and have a rough idea of where it happened, you can call specialists with special search equipment.
If you decide on this non-standard option, contact only trusted companies. Specialized services can use, for example, a metal detector or other ingenious gadgets in searches.
Is it possible to open a car with a mobile phone
A "saving" advice is circulating on the Net. Allegedly, to open the door, you need to record the opening sound on your phone, and then play it back at the car to unlock the locks without a "physical" key.
There is another "practical" advice - call your relatives, who will take a spare transponder key and press the unlock button near their phone. At this moment, you will have to put your phone on speakerphone and bring it to the car door. After that, the locks supposedly should be unlocked.
Alas, the key word here is supposedly.
This method of telephone autopsy is one of the popular network fairy tales. Another thing is modern applications for some new products in the premium and luxury segment.
Through a special application, you can open and close the car and even start or stop the engine using the so-called "digital key" - a protocol transmitted through gadgets, or a digital code. Communication between a smartphone and a car in most models is supported by NFC technology. The application interface allows owners to also send the virtual key to relatives and colleagues.
All about spare keys
The first thought that comes to mind when you lose your car keys is to get to the second set. There can be many scenarios - from calling a taxi and driving home for spare keys, to calling relatives who will come to the rescue and deliver the keys.
If the lost key cannot be found, it makes sense to restore it, for which you will have to go to the dealer, present the documents for the car and a spare key or transponder key with a bar code.
According to it, the official dealer will create a duplicate of the lost key.
Get ready for the procedure to take a long time. The fact is that your application is sent to the manufacturer. From there will come a key with a cut steel blade and a programmed microchip.
If you are worried that someone might find your lost key and use it to steal your car, then you will have to drive the car to the dealer, and he will erase the chip of the lost key from the car's memory. In this case, the lost key will not be able to start the car engine.
Is it possible to apply to private companies
Since it takes a long time for "officials" to make duplicate transponder keys, there is a temptation to make a replacement from private traders.
It is enough to enter the phrase "we make duplicate autokeys" into the search box on the Internet, and you will see dozens, if not hundreds of similar offers. Private firms can really pick up the code and make a duplicate of the transponder key, and this usually happens much faster for them than for an authorized dealer, and it costs much less.
However, in this case, there is a risk that manufacturers will have another copy, which, in theory, can be used for theft. So, if you had to resort to the services of private traders, protect yourself by installing additional anti-theft systems or issue a full CASCO.
If both keys are lost
If the second key from the set is also lost, then it is possible to do without making a duplicate.
In this case, all you have to do is go to the authorized dealer with the car, which will probably have to be transported on a tow truck, as well as with all available documents. With a high degree of probability, the dealer will produce a set of keys according to the serial number and other technical documentation for the car.
The second option is to replace the ignition switch and all door cylinders. Alas, on modern foreign cars, this process will not be cheap, so again such an option arises as a visit to private traders.
Specialists will also require documents for the car, after which they will make a special cast of the ignition lock or external lock cylinder and "cut" an identical key.
