Keys Replacement For Cars
If you have a basic mechanical key, you should be able to find a replacement at any hardware store for affordable. The key needs to be programmed by a dealership or locksmith.
Smart keys are more complex and require a visit to a dealer to pair them with your car. They are costly however, many insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still buy mechanical keys for cars, the ones that you insert into the ignition lock for your vehicle to start. If your car is equipped with one of these keys, replacing the fob and keys is fairly inexpensive (if they are lost or stolen).
A locksmith can make you a new basic key for less than what you pay at a dealership. You can also ask a neighbor or friend who is able to program transponder keys for aftermarket use (which are less expensive than factory keys) to make you a spare key and then program it. It is essential to have a spare key as modern cars won't start in the event that the key does have the correct chip.
Transponder keys look like mechanical keys, however they contain a hidden electronic chip inside the base of their plastic form that communicates with your car's computer system. Your car will accept the code in the chip, but will not start if you choose another code.
If your spare key has chips it must be programmed by a dealer. You'll need an equipment that can cut the key and then program it. These machines are available only at specific dealerships, and it is unlikely that a locksmith will have the equipment needed to create a key that has a transponder.
It is expensive to replace keys using remotes, particularly if you require an extra. You could try reprogramming your fob yourself if you're only missing the key shank and have a functional replacement fob, however it can be time-consuming and laborious. If you've lost the entire fob and the key, however, a dealer is your best bet.
There are different kinds of keys for cars that require a more specific set of skills to replace, for example flip keys and smart keys. They are more complicated and typically need to be replaced at the dealership. Some key fobs have a spring-loaded key that folds into the enclosure and opens a door or uses proximity sensors to open and start your vehicle.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys will likely be used in vehicles built in the last 10 years. The keys contain a microchip in the key and the car's receiver that are both programmed to communicate with each other to start the car.
Transponder keys are an excellent method of preventing theft, since they require two elements to start a car - the transmitter inside the key and the receiver that is connected to the immobilizer. Without both the key and the immobilizer device present, the car will not start and is impossible to connect hotwire.
The key chips come with an individual serial number specific to your vehicle. The serial number of the key is sent to the immobilizer of the car and checked to be in line. If it does, the engine will start. This security feature can only be defeated by a special device that can read the chip and match it with a different car.
You'll have to find a locksmith who has the tools to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships provide this service, however their overheads make them more expensive than an independent locksmith.
It can be difficult to get a new key with a chip. The key has to be cut on a specific machine in order to have the proper 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 the job correctly.
Certain of the more basic chip keys can be cloned at the majority of auto parts stores, but you must be aware of the serial number of the original key to ensure that the correct information is programmed into the new key. Many people make a mistake visiting their dealer to purchase a copy of a chip key only to end up paying inflated costs.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys are also referred to as sidewinder key because of the distinctive winding cut on the shank of the key. They add an additional layer of security to your car. Because it requires specialized equipment to duplicate these keys, they're an excellent deterrent against auto-theft.
They also have built-in chips to prevent unauthorised key copying from launching your vehicle. They have a unique number that needs to be programmed into your vehicle to unlock it and start it. This extra layer of security is a fantastic option to protect your investment and deter thieves who might be trying to steal your vehicle for parts or sell it to.
Keys cut with lasers differ slightly from mechanically cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves carved out on the key. They also have a thicker key shaft, which is a good indication that it's not a regular car key. Locksmiths generally employ a machine known as milling tool to cut these types of keys. This kind of tool looks like a drill and is designed to remove metal with extremely precise, controlled angles.
These are the safest keys you can purchase for your vehicle. They are extremely difficult to duplicate and can only by cut by a certified locksmith or dealer. Unlike traditional keys, they're made using a small piece of steel that is shaped into a code and then cut using a laser in the factory. This kind of key is extremely robust and can be able to withstand many years of wear and tear and is one of the best options to protect your car.
Depending on the key, it can either fold into the fob, or pop out by pressing a button. Keys like this are used extensively in German cars and offer an additional layer of security against car thieves. They also make it extremely difficult for a thief to pick or pick-lock your vehicle since the cylinder is extremely durable and hard to break into.
Smart Keys
Unlike the traditional single piece of carved metal, smart keys make use of RFID, or radio-frequency identification for short, to communicate with the car. They have a chip with a unique code, which is encoded on each key. When you open your car's doors, or open the trunk, the key transmits a signal to your vehicle's computer onboard. The computer then triggers the appropriate frequency, allowing you to access your car and start it.
The smart key's chip also comes with a variety of security features that guard against theft. The key emits a low-frequency signal, which will only be detected by your vehicle. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will transmit an additional signal that is an exclusive code that only your vehicle can comprehend. This will stop a tech-savvy criminal from using an electronic pulse generator to "fool the system" and make the key work on other vehicles.
In car fob replacement key to locking and starting the car, certain smart keys come with additional features such as storing particular driver preferences, remotely opening windows or the sunroof, and more. These features are accessible by activating the proximity sensor on the key fob by pressing a button, or, in some instances, by twisting a small piece of metal inside the key.
Certain key fobs can be opened by placing the dead key in a slot or by placing it next to an inductive coil on the dashboard. Some even include an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade hidden in the key to allow this.
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 have to program the new key to recognize the car you are driving. You can also go to a locksmith for your replacement key fob to be programmed and replaced. Locksmiths may charge more than a dealer, but they'll be able to complete the job faster and at a lower cost.