Ten Keys Replacement For Carss That Really Make Your Life Better
Keys Replacement For Cars
If you have a basic mechanical key, you should be able to purchase a replacement from any hardware store for relatively inexpensive. The key must be programmed by a dealership or locksmith.
Smart keys are more complex and require a visit to the dealer to connect them to your vehicle. These keys are expensive however many car insurance companies will pay for the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still buy mechanical keys for your car, the ones that you insert into an ignition lock cylinder to start your car. If your car uses one of these keys, it's cheap to replace the key and fob (if lost or stolen).
A locksmith can make a basic key for you at a lower cost than what you would pay in the dealership. You could also ask a neighbor or a friend who knows how to program transponder keys aftermarket (which are less expensive than keys that are factory-made) to make you a spare key and then program it. It is essential to have a spare because modern cars won't begin when a key is not programmed with the correct chip is used.
Transponder keys are like mechanical keys but have an electronic chip hidden inside the base. This chip is connected to the computer system in your vehicle. Your car will recognize the code in the chip and accept it, however it will refuse to start if another code is used.
If your spare key contains chips, it will need to be programmed at a dealership. The dealership will require an exclusive machine for cutting and programming the key. These machines are only available at specific dealerships, and it's not likely that a locksmith has the tools needed to make keys that are laser-cut with a transponder.
Keys with remotes cost a lot to replace, particularly if you need an extra. You can try reprogramming your fob on your own if you're just missing the shank on the key and you have a working replacement fob, but it can be time-consuming and difficult. If you've lost your entire fob and key, however it's best to contact a dealer as the best option.
Other kinds of keys for cars require more special skills to replace. They include flip keys as well as smart keys. They are more complicated and typically need to be replaced at the dealership. Some key fobs feature a spring-loaded key that folds into the enclosure and opens doors or is operated by the use of a proximity sensor to open and start your vehicle.
Transponder Keys
If your car is built in the last 10 years or so you're likely to use a transponder key system. These keys have a microchip in the key and an internal receiver in your car which are both programmed to communicate with one another to start the vehicle.
Transponder keys are an excellent way to stop theft because they require two components for the car to be started which is the transmitter (transponder) inside the key and the receiver connected to your immobilizer system. The car will not start without the key and immobilizer system.
Key chips have an unique serial number that is specific to your vehicle. When the key is inserted into your ignition, the serial number is sent to the cars immobilizer and verified that it is compatible the number, which allows the engine to start. This security feature can only be defeated by a special device that can read the chip and match it with another car.
You'll need to find an locksmith with the equipment needed to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships offer this service as well but they tend to be more expensive than a independent locksmith due to their expenses.
It can be difficult to get an original key that comes with chip. To program your car, the key must be programmed on a special machine. This requires special software and the correct key cutter to do it correctly.
The majority of auto parts stores can copy some of the less complicated keys for chips, but you'll need to know the serial number from the original key to ensure the correct information is programmed into the key. Many people make the mistake of visiting their dealer to get a chip key copied, and end with a bill that is higher than what they have to.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys, also known as sidewinder keys due their distinctive winding cuts in the key shank, add an extra layer of security to your vehicle. Keys like these are a great protection against auto theft since they require special equipment to duplicate.
Like transponder keys, they have built-in chips that prevent unauthorized key copies from opening your car. They also have a unique code on the key that must be programmed for your specific car in order to unlock it and start it. This additional layer of security is an excellent option to protect your investment and deter thieves who may be trying to steal your car for parts or sell it to.
Laser-cut keys differ from mechanically cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves carved out on the key. The key shaft is also larger, which is a indication that this isn't an ordinary car key. Locksmiths usually employ a milling machine to cut keys. This kind of tool looks much like a drill bit and is designed to remove metal at very precise and controlled angles.
These are some of the most secure keys you can get for your vehicle, since they're very hard to replicate and only cut by the locksmith who is a certified dealer. They're not like traditional keys. They're constructed from a tiny piece of steel that is shaped into a code and then cut with a laser in the factory. This kind of key is able to endure a lot of wear and tear, and is among the best choices for protecting your vehicle.
Depending on the key, it could either fold into the fob or be released at the touch of a button. Keys like this are used extensively in German automobiles and provide an extra layer of security against car thieves. They also make it difficult for thieves to pick or pick-lock your vehicle, as the cylinder is extremely durable and hard to break into.
Smart Keys Keys
Smart keys communicate with the vehicle using radio-frequency identification (RFID) instead of the traditional single piece carved metal. They have a chip with an unique code that is encoded on every key. When you open your car's doors, or open the trunk, the key sends a signal to your vehicle's onboard computer. The computer then will prompt the appropriate frequency to allow you to start your car.
The smart key's chip also includes a variety of security features to guard against theft. First, car key replacement emits a very low-frequency signal that can't be picked up by any receiver other than your vehicle. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will prompt a different one that is a unique sequence that only your vehicle will comprehend. This prevents a tech-savvy criminal from using an external pulse generator to "fool" the system and create the key function for other vehicles.
In addition to locking and starting the car, certain smart keys have special features such as storing specific preferences for drivers remote opening windows or the sunroof, among others. These can be done by activating the key fob's proximity sensor, pressing a button on the key itself, or, in some instances, by twisting a tiny metal component inside the key.
The majority of these key fobs come with an unlock button that opens the doors for themselves however some come with an additional way to open them by a slot or placing the dead key near an area on the dashboard, where it is able to hold an inductive coil which can transfer energy. Certain key fobs come with a mechanical (fully emergency) key blade that is inside the key.
Replacing a smart key typically requires a visit to the dealership, who will either have the replacement in stock or order it for you. The dealer will also have to program the new key to recognize your vehicle. You can visit a locksmith to have your new key fob programmed and replaced. Locksmiths will cost more than dealers, but they will do the job quicker and cheaper.