Keys Replacement For Cars
If you have a standard mechanical key it is likely to get a replacement at any hardware store for relatively affordable. The key must 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 types of keys are usually expensive but some insurance companies cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still purchase car keys that are solely mechanical, like the ones you insert into an ignition lock cylinder and turn to start your vehicle. If your car is equipped with one of these, it's inexpensive to replace the fob and key (if lost or stolen).
A locksmith can make an entry level key for you at a lower cost than what you would pay in the dealership. You can also ask a neighbor or a friend who knows how to program transponder keys aftermarket (which are cheaper than the keys made by the factory) to make you a spare key and have it programmed. It is essential to have a spare because modern cars won't start when a key is not programmed with the proper chip is used.
Transponder keys are like mechanical keys, but they contain an electronic chip inside the base. This chip is connected to the computer system of your vehicle. Your car will recognize the code on the chip, but will not start if you try to use another code.
If the spare key you have has chip, you'll need to take it to a dealership to have it programmed. They'll require an equipment that can cut the key and then program it. These machines are only available at specific dealerships, and it's unlikely that a locksmith has the tools needed to make a laser-cut key with a transponder.
Keys with remotes cost a lot to replace, especially in the event that you need a spare. If you have only the key shank missing and a functioning replacement fob you can attempt to reprogramme your fob on your own. However, it can be time-consuming and challenging. It's better to go to a dealer when you've lost the key and the fob.
There are other types of keys for cars that require a more specialized set of skills to replace, such as flip keys and smart keys. These are more complex and are usually replaced at the dealership. Some key fobs are operated by proximity sensors or a door opener that is spring-loaded.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys are likely to be used in vehicles constructed in the last 10 years. These keys contain a microchip and the receiver is programmed to communicate to start your vehicle.
Transponder keys are a great way of deterring theft, since they require two elements to start a car - the transmitter contained in the key, and the receiver connected to the immobilizer. The car will not start without both the key and immobilizer system.
The key chips are programmed with a serial number that is unique to your vehicle. The serial number of the key is sent to the immobilizer of the car and verified to be in line. If it does then the engine will begin. The only thing that can stop this security feature is a device that is able to read the chip and match it with another vehicle.
You'll need to find a locksmith who has the equipment to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships also offer this service, but their overheads make them more expensive than a locksmith who is independent.
Getting a new car key that comes with a chip it can be a complex procedure. auto key replacement must first be cut on a specific machine to get the correct tracks in place which can later be used to program the key to your car. This requires specialized software and the right key cutter to do it correctly.
Some of the simpler chip keys can be copied at the majority of auto parts stores, but you must be aware of the serial number of the original key to ensure that the proper information is being programmed into the new key. Many people make a mistake visiting their dealer to purchase the clone of a chip-key and end up paying high prices.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys are also referred as sidewinder key because of the distinctive winding cut on the shank of the key. They provide an additional layer of security to your car. Because it takes specialized machinery to duplicate these keys, they're a great protection against auto theft.
They also come with built-in chips to stop the copying of keys by unauthorized people from starting your car. They also contain a unique code the key, which needs to be programmed for your particular vehicle to unlock and start it. This extra layer of security is a great option to protect your investment and deter thieves who could be trying to steal your car for parts or to sell it on.
Laser-cut keys differ from mechanically cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves cut on the key. The key shaft is larger, which is a sign that this is not an ordinary car key. Generally, locksmiths make use of a milling tool to cut these types of keys. This kind of tool looks much like a drill bit and is designed to remove metal at very precise controlled angles.
These are the most secure keys that you can purchase for your vehicle. They're hard to duplicate and can only be cut by a licensed locksmith or dealer. They're not made with traditional keys. Instead, they are constructed from a small piece of steel that is cut to a code at the factory and then cut with laser. This type of key can endure a lot of wear and tear, and is among the best options to protect your vehicle.
Depending on the key, it will fold into the fob or pop out by pressing a button. Keys like this are used extensively in German automobiles and provide an additional layer of protection against car thieves. The cylinder is also very robust and difficult to break into, making it extremely difficult for a thief pick or pick-lock a vehicle.
Smart Keys Keys
Unlike the traditional single piece of carved metal, smart keys utilize RFID, also known as radio-frequency identification, to communicate with the car. They are equipped with a chip that has an unique code that is encoded on every key. When you open your car's doors or open the trunk key, it sends a signal to the vehicle's computer onboard. The computer then triggers the correct frequency and allows you to connect to your car and start it.
The smart key's chip also has a number of security features that guard against theft. The key emits a low-frequency signal, which will only be detected by your car. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will prompt a different one that is a unique sequence that only your vehicle can recognize. This stops a tech-savvy criminal from using a pulse generator to "fool the system" and do the key work on other vehicles.
Some smart keys offer special features, like the ability to store preferences for drivers remote opening windows, opening the sunroof from afar and many more. These are accomplished by activating the key's proximity sensor, pressing a button on the key itself, or, in some instances, by twisting a tiny metal part inside the key.
Most of these key fobs come with a button that can unlock the doors by themselves However, some key fobs have another method of opening them by a slot or placing the dead key close to the dashboard, where it is able to hold an inductive coil which can transfer energy. Some even include an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade concealed in the key to activate this.
To replace a smart key, you'll need visiting a dealer, who will either order the replacement or have it in stock. The dealer will also have to program your new key so that it recognizes your vehicle. You can also visit a locksmith for the replacement key fob to be programmed and replaced. A locksmith will charge more than dealers, however, they can do the job faster and at a lower cost.