Tag Archives: identical car keys

Does Your Car Key Have A Twin?




“Does your car key have a twin?” have you ever thought about this question? If you haven’t then you need to seriously consider it. Can you imagine someone else out there having a car key similar to yours? The stranger who may live a few blocks or miles away can easily access your car without fidgeting or struggling. But like most people, you possibly think that the chances of this happening are quite slim. Yes, it is true that the odds are low but many owners get shocked to discover that another key can easily open their car. Sadly, many came to know about this when it was too late. The unscrupulous individual will have gotten away with valuables if not the car. The following is some useful information brought to you by our friends down at avondalelocksmith.org.

How Does It Happen?

hondaA known fact is that most of us will walk away from our cars after ensuring it is properly locked. We feel confident that no one else can access to the car since we are the only ones in possession of the car key. And no one in his/her right mind would attempt to break into the vehicle in broad day light, right? But, did you know the key combinations used by car manufacturers are limited. Statistics indicate that top brands such as Honda, Toyota or Ford usually have a maximum of about 3500 combinations. This means that at some point they will have to reuse the earlier combinations. This is how car key “twins” are born.

What Are The Risks of the Car Key Having a Twin?

The thought of a twin to your car existing is worrying enough. Can you imagine walking to the parking lot only to discover an empty space? Or another person gaining access to your vehicle and stealing your valuables. You may be lucky to discover the twin in a friendlier manner. Take the case of the mum in Johnson County who recently discovered that her Honda Accord shared the same key with the family’s Honda Odyssey. This is after her 16-year old son mistakenly took the wrong key and was still able to unlock the door and also start the car. Strangely enough, the two cars had been sourced from two different outlets and one car was manufactured two years earlier than the other. What if the discovery had been made by a stranger or a crooked individual?

Car Key Twin Not a New Incident

identical keysAccording to car dealers and locksmiths, cars having identical keys aren’t a new phenomenon. But, many people usually discover this the hard way after the car or items are stolen. The possibility of twins is also evident in electronic keys which use radio frequencies to open or close the doors. Car thieves already know this and are breaking into cars such as Toyota Prius by simply using a radio relay system that amplifies the radio signal right from the car owner’s home. It is not only cars that are affected but homes as well. Thieves usually walk around with a bunch of keys hoping to find a match. You like other people are a likely victim.

What Can You Do About It?

To minimize the odds of the key having a twin many people turn to rekeying. Unfortunately, this isn’t the right solution. Rekeying only offers you another key that has been made using similar tumblers, combinations or cut depths. There is a possibility of another individual owning a twin key. The best solution is to go for a higher grade of lock; for instance, installing dead bolts. This type of locks and keys are made from unique combinations far different from what is used by car manufacturers. The chances of a similar key from the same manufacturer are usually very low-almost nil. It is however important to shop around and look for popular and reputable brands so as to be assured of top notch security.

Although the odds of someone else having a twin to your car key are slim, it pays to be extra vigilant. Maybe you think smashing a window is much faster than trying to unlock the door with a set of keys. But, the truth is that car keys with twins do exist. By installing a new better grade lock, searches on “does your car key have a twin?” and related questions will become a thing of the past.