Keys Replacement For Cars
If you have a standard mechanical key it is likely to purchase a replacement from any hardware store for relatively affordable. The key must be programmed by a locksmith or a dealer.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a visit to a dealer for the keys to be paired with your vehicle. These kinds of keys can be costly but some insurance companies cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still purchase mechanical car keys which you put into an ignition lock for your vehicle to start. If your car has one of these, replacing the fob and keys is relatively inexpensive (if they are lost or stolen).
A locksmith can cut the basic key for you at a lower price than you would pay in a dealership. You can also ask a neighbour or friend who knows how to program transponder keys (which are cheaper than the keys made by the factory) to cut you a spare and have it programmed. It is crucial to have a spare key as modern vehicles won't start when the key does not have the correct chip.
Transponder keys look a lot like mechanical keys, however they are actually equipped with an electronic chip inside the base of their plastic shape that communicates with your car's computer system. Your vehicle will recognize the code contained in the chip and accept it, but it will not start if another code is used.
If your spare key has chip, you'll need to take it to a dealership to get it programmed. You'll need a special machine to both cut the key and program it. These machines are only available through certain dealerships, and it's unlikely that a locksmith will have the tools needed to make a laser-cut key with a transponder.
It's costly to replace keys using remotes, particularly if you require a spare. If you only have the key shank missing, and a working replacement fob, you can attempt to reprogramme your fob on your own. However, it could be time-consuming and difficult. You're better off contacting an expert when you've lost the fob and the key.
Other types of car keys require more special skills to replace. These include flip keys and smart key. They are more complicated and are usually replaced at the dealership. auto key replacement can be operated by proximity sensors or a door opener with a spring loaded mechanism.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys are most likely to be used in cars built in the past 10 years. These keys have a microchip in the key itself and the car's receiver that are both programmed to communicate with one another to start the vehicle.
Transponder keys are an excellent method of preventing theft since they require two parts to start the car - the transmitter contained in the key and the receiver that is connected to the immobilizer. Without both the key and the immobilizer system in place, the car won't start and is impossible to hotwire.
The key chips are programmed with a serial number that is unique to the vehicle you own. The serial number of the key is then sent to the immobilizer of the car and checked to be in line. If it does, the engine will start. The only thing that could be a hindrance to this security feature is a special device that is able to read the chip and match it with another car.
If you need a transponder key replaced it is necessary to visit an locksmith with the necessary equipment to reprogram the keys to your car. Some car dealerships provide this service too, but they tend to be more expensive than a private locksmith because of their overhead.
It can be difficult to obtain an entirely new key that has a chip. The key needs to be cut using a particular machine to ensure that it has the correct tracks in place which can later be programmed to assign the key to your car. It requires specialized software, as well as the right key cutter to do the job correctly.
Certain of the more basic chip keys can be cloned at most auto part stores but you must know the serial number of the original key to ensure the correct information is transferred to the new key. Many people make the mistake of visiting a dealer to get a chip key copied, and end up paying more than they have to.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys, also referred to as sidewinder keys due to their distinctive winding cuts on the key shank they add a layer of security to your vehicle. Because it requires specialized equipment to duplicate these keys, they're an excellent security measure against auto theft.
They also come with built-in chips to prevent unauthorized key copying from starting your car. They have a unique code that must be programmed into your car in order to unlock it and start it. This extra layer of security will safeguard your investment and prevent thieves from trying to steal your vehicle in exchange for parts or to sell it.
Laser-cut keys differ from mechanically-cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves that are carved on the key. They also have a more robust key shaft that is an indication that it's not your regular car key. Generally, locksmiths make use of a milling tool to cut these kinds of keys. This machine is similar to a drill bit and it's designed to remove metal with precise angles.
These are the safest keys you can buy for your vehicle. They are difficult to duplicate and must be cut by a licensed locksmith or dealer. They're not made using traditional keys. Instead, they're made of a tiny piece of steel that is cut to form a code in the factory and then cut with the laser. This type of key is very durable and can stand up to a lot of wear and tear and is one of the best options for protecting your car.
Depending on the key, it will fold in the fob or pop out with the click of the button. Keys like this are typically used in German automobiles and provide an additional layer of security against car thieves. They also make it very difficult for thieves to pick or pick-lock your vehicle because the cylinder is extremely durable and difficult to break into.
Smart Keys Keys
Contrary to the conventional single piece of metal, smart keys utilize RFID, also known as radio-frequency identification for short, to communicate with the car. This means they have tiny chips that contain an encrypted code that is unique to each key. When you open your car's doors, or open the trunk, the key transmits a signal to your car's onboard computer. The computer will then signal the right frequency that allows you to start your vehicle.
The chip inside the smart key comes with a variety of security features to guard it from theft. First, car key replacement emits a low-frequency signal that can't be received by any receiver but your vehicle. If the onboard computer detects this signal, it will display a different one that is an exclusive sequence that only your car can recognize. This prevents a tech savvy criminal from using a pulse generator to "fool the system" and do the key work on other vehicles.
In addition to locking and starting the car, certain smart keys come with additional features such as storing specific preferences for drivers remote opening windows or the sunroof, and more. These functions can be accessed by activating the proximity sensor on the key fob by pressing a button, or, in some instances it is as simple as twisting a tiny piece of metal inside the key.
Certain key fobs are opened by placing the dead key in a slot or by placing it in proximity to an inductive coil that is located on the dashboard. Some even come with an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade concealed in the key to allow this.
Replacing a smart lock typically requires a visit the dealership, who will either have the replacement on hand or purchase it for you. The dealer will also have to program the new key to identify your vehicle. You can go to a locksmith shop to have your new key fob programmed and replaced. Locksmiths may cost more than the dealer, but they'll be able to do the job quicker and less expensively.