Gaucho KeysYes, a heavy keychain can slowly wear out your car key and even your ignition. The constant weight and swinging put stress on parts that were never meant to carry it.
How the weight does the damage
When your key is sitting in the ignition, a loaded keychain hangs off it and pulls down. Every bump, pothole and turn makes that bunch of keys swing and tug. Over months and years, that small, steady force adds up. It is the kind of wear you do not notice day to day until something stops working.
Two things tend to suffer. The first is the key itself, especially if it folds or has a thin metal blade. The second is the ignition lock cylinder inside the steering column, which has small pins and springs that do not like being yanked on.
What worn keys and ignitions look like
Here are the signs I hear about most often:
- The key only turns if you jiggle or lift it in the ignition
- A folding or flip key feels loose, wobbly or cracked at the hinge
- The metal blade looks bent, rounded off or visibly worn
- The key sticks going in or coming out
- Buttons on the fob stop responding the way they used to
Modern fobs and chip keys
Most vehicles from 2000 and newer use a transponder (chip) key or a key fob. There is electronics inside, not just metal. Banging a loaded keychain around, or dropping that weight, is not great for the housing or the chip. A cracked case can let in moisture, dust and grit, none of which belong near a circuit board.
Simple habits that help
You do not need to carry your car key on its own, but a little restraint goes a long way:
- Keep the car key on a light, separate ring instead of the household bundle
- Take some weight off if your keychain has grown into a brick
- Support the keys with your hand instead of letting them dangle while driving
- If the key already feels worn, deal with it before it fails completely
If your key has already worn out
If your key is cracked, bent or only working some of the time, do not wait for it to quit in a parking lot. I am a mobile auto locksmith, so I come to you anywhere in Winnipeg and the surrounding area, including Selkirk, Lockport, Headingley and Oakbank. A spare or duplicate key starts from $160, and a full lost car key replacement starts from $200, depending on your vehicle.
Because every vehicle is a little different, tell me your year, make and model so I can confirm the right key and give you a price up front. I work on most makes and models from 2000 and newer. We are open 8 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week, and you only pay once the new key works.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a heavy keychain really break my car key?
- Over time, yes. The steady weight and swinging stress folding keys, metal blades and the fob housing, and they can also wear the ignition. It usually shows up slowly as a key that sticks or only turns when you jiggle it.
- Should I take my car key off my main keychain?
- It is a good idea to keep the car key on a light, separate ring rather than a heavy household bundle. Less weight means less strain on the key, the fob and the ignition every time you drive.
- My key is already worn. Can you make a new one at my place?
- Yes. I am mobile and come to you anywhere in Winnipeg and the surrounding area. Tell me your year, make and model and I will confirm the right key and a price up front. A duplicate starts from $160 and a full replacement from $200.
Need a car key, fob or lockout in Winnipeg?
Mobile auto locksmith — we come to you, 7 days a week.