Keys Replacement For Cars
You can get the replacement key for a mechanical key in any hardware store. However, this key will need to be programmed by a locksmith or dealership.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a visit to a dealer for the keys to be paired with your vehicle. These keys are expensive however, many insurance companies will pay for the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still buy car keys that are solely mechanical, like the ones you insert into an ignition lock cylinder and then turn to start your car. If your car is equipped with one of these, replacing the key and fob is relatively cheap (if they get lost or stolen).
A locksmith can make you new keys for less than you would buy from a dealer. You can also have your neighbor or a friend who is proficient in programming transponder keys from the aftermarket (which are cheaper than keys from factory) cut you a spare key and program them. It is important to have a spare key because modern vehicles won't start in the event that the key does have the correct chip.
Transponder keys resemble mechanical keys but have an electronic chip hidden inside the base. This chip communicates with the computer system in your car. Your car will recognize the code that is on the chip, but it will not start if you choose another code.
If your spare key contains chips it must be programmed at a dealership. They will need to use a specific machine to cut the key and program it. These machines are available only at specific dealerships, and it is unlikely that a locksmith will have the tools needed to create a key with transponder.
It is expensive to replace keys using remotes, especially if require a spare. You could try reprogramming your fob by yourself if you're missing the shank of the key and have a functioning replacement fob, however it can be time-consuming and difficult. If you've lost your entire fob and key, however, a dealer is your best bet.
There are other types of keys for cars that require a more specific set of skills to replace, such as flip keys and smart keys. These are more complex and usually have to be replaced at the dealership. Certain key fobs come with an electronic key that folds into the enclosure and opens a door or uses the use of a proximity sensor to open and start your vehicle.
Transponder Keys
If your car is built in the past 10 years or so, you're likely to use a transponder key system. These keys are equipped with an embedded microchip inside 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, as they require two elements to start a car - the transmitter contained in the key and the receiver that is connected to the immobilizer. The car won't start without both the key and immobilizer system.
The key chips are programmed with a serial number that is unique to the vehicle you own. When the key is inserted into your ignition, the serial number is then sent to the cars immobilizer and then verified to make sure it is in line and allows the engine to run. The only thing that can defeat this security feature is a special device that is able to detect the chip and match it with another vehicle.
You'll require a locksmith that has the equipment to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships also offer this service, however their overheads make them more expensive than an independent locksmith.
It can be difficult to obtain an entirely new key that has a chip. To program your car, the key must be programmed on a specific machine. This requires specific software and the right key cutter to get it done properly.
Some of the less complicated 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 programmed into the new key. Many people make the mistake of going to their dealer for a copy of a chip-key and end up paying inflated costs.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys are also referred as a sidewinder keys due to the distinctive winding cut that is made on the key shank. They provide an additional layer of security to your vehicle. Because it requires specialized equipment to duplicate these keys, they're a great protection against auto theft.
Like transponder keys, they have built-in chips that block unauthorized key copies from starting your vehicle. They also have a unique code on the key, which needs to be programmed for your particular vehicle in order to allow it to be opened and started. This additional level of security is a fantastic way to protect your investment and deter thieves who could be trying to steal your car for parts or sell it.
Laser-cut keys differ slightly from mechanically-cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves that are carved on the key. They also have a thicker key shaft which is an excellent indication that it's not a regular car key. Locksmiths typically make use of a milling tool to cut these kinds of keys. This type of machine looks much like a drill bit and is designed to remove metal at very precise, controlled angles.
They are the most secure keys that you can purchase for your vehicle. They are extremely difficult to duplicate and must be cut by a licensed locksmith or dealer. They're not like traditional keys. They're made using a small piece of steel that's shaped into a code and then cut with a laser in the factory. This kind of key is extremely durable and can endure many years of wear and tear, making it one of the best options for protecting your vehicle.
The key can be folded up into the fob, or be removed by pressing the button. The keys are typically used in German automobiles, and offer an extra layer of security against car thieves. They also make it extremely difficult for thieves to pick or pick-lock your vehicle, as the cylinder is extremely tough and difficult to break into.
Smart Keys Keys
In contrast to the traditional single piece of carved metal smart keys use radio-frequency identification, or RFID, to communicate with the car. They are equipped with a chip that has an individual code, which is encoded on each key. Whenever you unlock your car's doors, or open the trunk key, it sends a signal to the vehicle's onboard computer. The computer will then signal the right frequency that allows you to start your car.
The chip of the smart key includes a variety of security features that protect against theft. First the key emits a low-frequency signal that can't be detected by any receiver other than your car. If the computer onboard detects this signal it will send a different one which is unique and only your car can understand. This stops a tech-savvy criminal from using an electronic pulse generator to "fool the system" and do the key work on other vehicles.
Certain smart keys come with special features, such as saving preferences for drivers remote opening windows, opening the sunroof from afar and many other. These functions can be accessed by activating the proximity sensor on the key fob by pressing a button or, in certain instances, by twisting a small piece of metal inside the key.
Most of these key fobs come with an unlock button that opens the doors on their own, but some have another method of opening them by a slot or placing the dead key close to an area on the dashboard, where it is able to hold an inductive coil that can transfer energy. Some key fobs feature an electronic (fully emergency) key blade inside the key.
Replacing a key with a smart chip usually requires a visit to the dealership, who will either have the replacement in stock or purchase it for you. They'll also need to program the new key to recognize the car you are driving. vehicle key replacement can also go to a locksmith for the replacement key fob to be programmed and then replaced. A locksmith may charge more than a dealer, but they'll be able to finish the job faster and less expensively.