Keys Replacement For Cars
If you have a standard mechanical key it is likely to purchase a replacement from any hardware store for relatively cheap. This key will need to be programmed either by a dealership or locksmith.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a visit to a car dealer to be paired with your vehicle. These keys are expensive, but many car insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still purchase mechanical keys for cars, the ones that you put into the ignition lock cylinder to start your vehicle. If your car is equipped with one of these keys, replacing the fob and key is relatively inexpensive (if they are lost or stolen).
A locksmith can make you a new basic key at a lower cost than what you pay at a dealership. You could also have someone close to you who knows how to program aftermarket transponder keys (which are cheaper than keys from factory) cut you a spare key and program them. 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 appear like mechanical keys, however they are actually equipped with an electronic chip inside the base of their plastic shape that communicates with the computer system in your vehicle. Your car will recognize the code inside the chip and accept it, but it will not start if a different code is utilized.
If the spare key you have has a chip that is programmed, it will have to be programmed by a dealer. They'll require a specific machine to cut the key and then program it. These machines are only available at certain dealerships. It is unlikely that a locksmith will have the tools needed to make a key using a transponder.
It's expensive to replace keys using remotes, especially if require an extra. Try reprogramming the fob by yourself if you're missing the key shank and have a functional replacement fob, but it could be difficult and time-consuming. If you've lost your entire fob and key but you're not sure it's best to contact a dealer as your best bet.
Other types of keys for cars require special skills to replace. They include flip keys and smart keys. These are more complicated and require replacement by a dealer. Certain key fobs operate by proximity sensors or a spring-loaded door opener.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys are likely to be used in cars constructed in the past 10 years. These keys contain an embedded microchip and a receiver that is programmed to communicate to start your vehicle.
Transponder keys can be an effective method of preventing theft since they require two elements to start the car: the transmitter contained in the key, and the receiver connected to the immobilizer. The car will not start without the key and immobilizer system.
Key chips have an individual serial number specific to your vehicle. When the key is inserted into the ignition the serial number is sent to the immobilizer in the car and checked to ensure that it is compatible, it will then allow the engine to start. This security feature is only overcome by a specific device that can read the chip to match it to another vehicle.
You'll have to find a locksmith that has the equipment to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships offer this service, but their overheads make them more costly than an independent locksmith.
The process of getting a new car keys that comes with a chip it can be a very complex procedure. The key has to be cut using a specific machine to get the correct tracks in place that can then be used to program the key to your car. key replacement for car requires specialized software, as well as the appropriate key cutter to do it correctly.
Many auto parts stores are able to duplicate some of the more basic keys for chips, but you will need to know the serial number of the original key in order to ensure that the correct data is incorporated into the key. Many people make a mistake going to their dealer in search of the clone of a chip-key and end up paying inflated prices.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys are also referred as a sidewinder key due to the distinctive winding cut on the shank of the key. They provide an additional layer of security to your vehicle. They are a fantastic protection against auto theft since they require specialized machinery to duplicate.
They also have built-in chips to stop the copying of keys by unauthorized people from starting your vehicle. They also have a unique code on the key that must be programmed to your specific vehicle to unlock and start it. This additional level of security is a great way to protect your investment and deter thieves who might be trying to steal your car for parts or to sell it to.
In terms of design, laser-cut keys are slightly different from mechanical cut keys in that they have less grooves carved out on the key. They also have a larger key shaft, which is a good indication that it's not a regular car key. Locksmiths typically use milling machines to cut keys. This tool is similar to a drill, and it's designed to remove metal in very precise angles.
They're among the most secure keys you can get for your car, as they're very hard to replicate and can only be cut by the dealer or a certified locksmith. They're not like traditional keys. They're made from a small piece of steel that is cut into a shape and then cut using a laser in the factory. This kind of key is very robust and can endure a lot of wear and tear and is one of the best options for protecting your vehicle.
The key can be folded into the fob, or pop out by pressing the button. The keys are typically used in German automobiles, and offer an additional layer of protection against car thieves. They also make it difficult for thieves to pick your vehicle or pick-lock it since the cylinder is extremely tough and difficult to break into.
Smart Keys
In contrast to the traditional single piece of carved metal, smart keys make use of radio-frequency identification, or RFID for short, to communicate with the car. They are equipped with a chip that has an individual code, which is encoded on each key. When you open your car's doors, or open the trunk key, it sends a signal to the car's onboard computer. The computer then signals the right frequency which allows you to open your car and begin it.
The chip in the smart key has several security features to guard it from theft. First the key emits a low-frequency signal which isn't picked up by any receiver but your vehicle. If the onboard computer detects this signal, it will trigger an alternative one that's an individual sequence that only your vehicle will understand. This will stop a tech-savvy criminal from using a pulse generator to "fool the system" and make the key work on other vehicles.
Certain smart keys come with specific features, like the ability to store preferences for drivers remote opening windows, opening the sunroof from afar and many other. This can be accomplished by activating the key's proximity sensor or pressing a button on the key itself or, in certain cases, twisting a small metal piece inside the key.
Certain key fobs can be opened by placing the dead key in a slot, or by placing it in proximity to an inductive coil on the dashboard. Some key fobs feature mechanical (fully emergency) key blade that is inside the key.
Replacing a smart key typically requires a visit the dealership, where they will either have the replacement in stock or make it available for you to purchase. The dealer will also need to program the new key to identify your vehicle. You can visit a locksmith to get your new key fob programmed and replaced. Locksmiths may charge more than the dealer, but they'll likely be able to do the job quicker and for less.