A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is your car’s 17 character unique identifier. A VIN can be used when tracking recalls, registrations, warranties, claims and theft. It can be located in one of the following places on your car: Where the corner of the dashboard meets the windshield on the driver’s side. On the door post (where the door latches when it’s closed) on the driver’s side. At the front of the engine block (under your bonnet). At the front end of frame behind the driver’s side tire. Inside of the driver’s side door jamb (where the door connects to the body of the car). If you’re unable to locate it, you can call your dealership, give them the make and the model of your vehicle and they’ll tell you where the VIN is located. You can also check your vehicle’s registration certificate or the owner’s manual (if you have it).

You can replace your lost car key at a locksmith, even if you don’t have the original key.

Some modern key fobs still require a key blade to activate the ignition switch, even if the vehicle doors are unlocked by remote control. These blades are strong and rarely break or bend, but with constant usage, the blade may become loose from the fob, preventing it from fitting closely into the ignition opening. This is particularly commonplace in more recent models of car, in which the key blades are less central to the design or are intended solely as an emergency backup, whereas older keys tended to be more robustly built.

If your car was made from 1998 onward there is a good chance it has a transponder chip in it. These were introduced in Australia around 1996 to deter vehicle theft. The chip in a transponder key communicates with the cars computer system. The transponder key is what communicates with your cars immobiliser. It is this system which prevents the wrong key operating in the car.