Keys Replacement For Cars
If you own a basic mechanical key you should be able to find a replacement at any hardware store for relatively affordable. This key will need to be programmed either by a dealership or locksmith.
Smart keys are more complex and require a trip to the dealer to pair them with your vehicle. These keys are expensive however, many insurance companies will pay for the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still purchase car keys that are solely mechanical, such as the ones you put into an ignition lock cylinder and then turn to start your car. If your car uses one of these keys, it's cheap to replace the fob and key (if lost or stolen).
A locksmith can create the basic key for you at a cheaper cost than what you'd pay at a dealership. You can also ask a neighbor or friend who is able to program transponder keys aftermarket (which are cheaper than the keys made by the factory) to make you a spare key and program it. It is crucial to have a spare key because modern cars won't start in the event that the key does have the correct chip.
Transponder keys resemble mechanical keys, but they contain an electronic chip inside the base. This chip is connected to the computer system in your vehicle. Your car will accept the code in the chip, but it will not start if you use another code.
If your spare key is equipped with chip, you'll need to bring it to a dealership to have it programmed. They will need to use a specific machine to cut the key and then program it. automotive key replacement are only available at specific dealerships, and it is unlikely that a locksmith will have the tools needed to create a key that has a transponder.
Keys with remotes can be costly to replace, particularly if you need a spare. You can try reprogramming your fob by yourself if you're missing the shank on the key and you have a working replacement fob, but it could be time-consuming and laborious. You're better off going to a dealer in the event that you've lost both the key and the fob.
Other kinds of car keys require more special skills to replace. These include flip keys as well as smart keys. These are more complex and typically need to be replaced at the dealership. Certain key fobs come with an electronic key that folds into the enclosure and opens doors or is operated by the use of a proximity sensor to open and start your car.
Transponder Keys
If your car is built in the recent 10 years or so it's likely to have a transponder key system. The keys contain a microchip in the key and an internal receiver in your car that both have been programmed to communicate with one another to start the car.
Transponder keys are an excellent method of preventing theft, since they require two elements to start the car - the transmitter inside the key and the receiver attached to the immobilizer. Without both the key and the immobilizer system present, the car will not start and is impossible to hotwire.
The key chips are programmed with a unique serial number that is unique to your vehicle. The serial number of the key is then sent to the immobilizer in the car, and then checked to be in line. If it does, the engine will start. This security feature is only defeated by a special device which can read the chip and match it with another car.
You'll require an locksmith with the equipment to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships offer this service, however they tend to be more expensive than a independent locksmith because of their overhead.
Finding a new car key that comes with a chip it is a complex procedure. The key needs to be cut on a specific machine to ensure that it has the right tracks 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 it correctly.
Certain of the more basic chip keys can be copied 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 transferred to the new key. Many people make the error of visiting a dealer to have a chip key copied and end up paying more than they should.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys, referred to as sidewinder keys due their distinctive winding cuts in the key shank, 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 have embedded chips that stop unauthorized key copies from opening your car. They also typically come with a unique code on the key, which needs to be programmed to your specific vehicle to unlock it and start it. This extra layer of security will safeguard your investment, and deter thieves from trying to steal your vehicle for parts or to sell it.
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 thicker, which is another sign that this is not an ordinary car key. Locksmiths generally make use of milling tool to cut these kinds of keys. This kind of tool looks much like a drill bit and is designed to cut metal at extremely precise controlled angles.
These are the most secure keys you can purchase for your vehicle. They are difficult to duplicate and can only be done by cut by a certified locksmith or dealer. They're not made with traditional keys. Instead, they are made from a small piece steel that is shaped to a code at the factory, and then cut using the laser. This type of key is very durable and is able to stand up to many years of wear and wear, making it one of the best options for protecting your car.
Depending on the key, it can fold into the fob or pop out with the click of the button. These types of keys are commonly used in German automobiles and provide an extra layer of security against car thieves. The cylinder is also very resistant to breaking into, making it very difficult for a thief pick or pick-lock the vehicle.
Smart Keys Keys
Smart keys communicate with the vehicle using radio-frequency identification (RFID) instead of the traditional single piece carved metal. They come with a chip with an unique code that is encoded on every key. Whenever you unlock your car's doors, or open the trunk the key sends a signal to your vehicle's onboard computer. The computer then prompts the correct frequency, allowing you to access your car and start it.
The chip in the smart key is equipped with several security features to protect it from theft. The key emits a low-frequency signal that can only be detected by your car. If the onboard computer detects this signal, it will trigger another one that is an exclusive sequence that only your car can recognize. This will stop a tech-savvy criminal from using a pulse generator to "fool the system" and make the key work on other vehicles.
In addition to locking and opening the car, some smart keys also have additional functions such as storing particular driver preferences 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 certain instances you can do this by twisting a small piece of metal inside the key.
Certain key fobs can be opened by holding the dead key in a slot, or by placing it near an inductive coil that is located on the dashboard. Some even come with an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade concealed in the key to enable this.
To replace a smart key, you'll need a trip to the dealer, who will either request the replacement or stock it. They'll also have to program the new key to recognize your car. But, you can visit a locksmith to get your new key fob programmed and replaced. A locksmith might charge more than a dealer, but they'll be able to do the job more quickly and less expensively.