Keys Replacement For Cars
You can get an alternative key for a mechanical key in any hardware shop. However, the key must be programmed by a locksmith or dealer.
Smart keys are more complex and require a trip to the dealer to connect them to your car. They can be expensive however, many insurance companies will pay for the cost.
Mechanical Keys
There are still car keys that are only mechanical, the kind that you put into an ignition lock cylinder and then turn to start your vehicle. If your car is equipped with one of these, replacing the fob and keys is fairly inexpensive (if they're lost or stolen).
A locksmith can create new keys for less than you would purchase from a dealership. You can also have a friend or neighbor that is proficient in programming transponder keys from the aftermarket (which are cheaper than factory keys) cut you a spare key and then program them. A spare key is crucial since modern cars won't be able to start when a key that isn't programmed with the proper chip is used.
Transponder keys are like mechanical keys, but contain an electronic chip in the base. This chip is connected to the computer system in your vehicle. Your car will be able to recognize the code in the chip and accept it, but it will refuse to start if a different code is used.
If your spare key has chips, you'll have to take it to a dealership to get it programmed. They'll require an equipment that can cut the key and program it. These machines are only available at specific dealerships, and it's not likely that a locksmith has the tools needed to make an engraved key using a laser transponder.
Keys with remotes can be costly to replace, particularly when you require a spare. You can try reprogramming your fob on your own if you're just missing the shank of the key and have a working replacement fob, however it can be difficult and time-consuming. If you've lost the entire fob and the key but you're not sure you should seek out a dealer as the best option.
There are other types of keys for cars that require a specialized set of skills to replace, like flip keys and smart keys. These are more complex and typically need to be replaced at the dealership. Key fobs can be operated by proximity sensors or a spring-loaded door opener.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys will likely be used in vehicles constructed in the last 10 years. The keys are equipped with the microchip as well as an electronic receiver that is programmed to send a signal to start your car.
Transponder keys are a fantastic method to deter theft since they require two parts for the car to be started which is the transmitter (transponder) in the key and the receiver that is connected to your immobilizer system. Without both the key and the immobilizer device in place, the car won't start and it is not possible to hotwire.
Key chips have an individual serial number 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 matches up the number, which allows the engine to run. This security feature can only be defeated by a special device which can read the chip and match it with a different car.
If you need a transponder key replaced it is necessary to visit a locksmith that has the necessary equipment to reprogram the key to your car. Some car dealerships provide this service, however their overheads make them more costly than an independent locksmith.
It isn't easy to obtain a new key with a chip. The key has to be cut using a specific machine to get the proper tracks which can later be programmed to assign the key to your car. It requires specialized software and the correct key cutter to cut it correctly.
Some of the simpler chip keys can be cloned at the majority of auto parts stores, but you must know the serial number of the original key to ensure the proper information is being encoded into the new key. Many people make the error of visiting a dealer to have their chip key copied, and end up paying more than they have to.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys are also referred as a sidewinder keys due to the distinctive winding cut that is made on the shank of the key. They add an extra layer of security to your vehicle. Because it takes specialized machinery to duplicate these keys, they're a great deterrent against auto-theft.
Like transponder keys, they feature built-in chips that prevent unauthorized key copies from getting into your vehicle. They have a unique code that needs to be programmed into your car to unlock it and start it. This additional level of security will safeguard your investment, and deter thieves from trying to steal your vehicle for parts or to sell it.
In terms of their design Laser-cut keys are different from conventional mechanical cut keys, as they have fewer carved-out grooves on the key. The shaft of the key is larger, which is a indication that this isn't a regular car key. Locksmiths generally employ a machine known as a milling tool to cut these types of keys. This tool is similar to a drill bit and is designed to remove metal in very precise angles.
These are some of the most secure keys you can buy for your car, because they're extremely difficult to duplicate and can only be cut by a locksmith who is a certified dealer. Unlike traditional keys, they're made from a small piece of steel that is made into a code, and then cut with a laser in the factory. This kind of key is very durable and can be able to withstand many years of wear and tear, making it one of the best options to protect your car.
Depending on the key, it will either fold into the fob, or pop out with the click 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 car, as the cylinder is extremely durable and hard to break into.
Smart Keys Keys
Contrary to the conventional single piece of metal, smart keys use RFID, also known as radio-frequency identification, to communicate with the car. This means that they are equipped with a tiny chip that contains an encrypted code that is unique to each key. Whenever you unlock your car's doors, or open the trunk the key transmits a signal to your vehicle's computer onboard. The computer will then signal the correct frequency to allow you to start your car.
The smart key's chip has a number of security features that guard against theft. The key emits a low-frequency signal that can only be detected by your vehicle. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will transmit another one that is unique and only your car can understand. This prevents a tech savvy criminal from using a pulse generator in order to "fool the system" and make the key work on other vehicles.
Some smart keys offer special features, such as the ability to store preferences for drivers remote opening windows, opening the sunroof from afar and many other. These are accomplished by activating the key's proximity sensor, pressing a button on the key or, in certain instances, by twisting a tiny metal part inside the key.
Most key fobs come with buttons that open the doors on their own, but some have an additional method to open them: a slot or holding the dead key near the dashboard, where it is able to hold an inductive coil which can transfer energy. Some even come with an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade hidden in the key to allow this.
Replacing a smart lock requires an appointment with a dealer, who will either purchase the replacement or stock it. The dealer will also need to program the new key so that it recognizes your vehicle. You can also go to a locksmith for the replacement key fob to be programmed and replaced. auto key replacement may cost more than a dealer, but they will complete the task faster and for less.