Keys Replacement For Cars
You can purchase an alternative key for a mechanical key in any hardware shop. However, this key must be programmed by a locksmith or dealer.
Smart keys are more complex and require a visit to the car dealer to be paired with your vehicle. These keys are expensive however many car insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still buy car keys that are purely mechanical, such as the ones you insert into an ignition lock cylinder, and turn to start your vehicle. If your car is equipped with one of these keys, replacing the fob and keys is relatively inexpensive (if they get lost or stolen).
A locksmith can design new keys for less than you would purchase from a dealership. You could also ask a neighbor or friend who knows how to program transponder keys (which are less expensive than factory keys) to make you a spare key and then program it. Getting a spare is important because modern cars won't start when a key that isn't programmed with the correct chip is used.
Transponder keys look a lot like mechanical keys, however they are actually equipped with an electronic chip in the base of their plastic design that communicates with the computer system in your vehicle. Your car will recognize the code contained in the chip and accept it, however it will refuse to start if another code is utilized.
If the spare key you have has chip, you'll need to bring it to a dealer to have it programmed. They'll require a special machine to both cut the key and program it. These machines are available only at specific dealerships, and it is unlikely that a locksmith would have the tools needed to create a key that has a transponder.
It's costly to replace keys with remotes, especially if you require an extra. If you have only the shank of your key missing and a functioning replacement fob you can try to reprogramme your fob by yourself. However, it can be time-consuming and complicated. You're better off going to a dealer in the event that you've lost both the key and the fob.
There are other kinds of car keys that require a more specialized set of skills to replace, such as flip keys and smart keys. They are more complicated and typically need to be replaced at the dealership. Some key fobs have keys that are spring-loaded and fold into the enclosure and opens a door, or they're operated with proximity sensors 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 transponder keys. These keys are equipped with a microchip in the key itself as well as an internal receiver in your car that are both programmed to communicate with one another to start the car.
Transponder keys are an effective method of preventing theft since they require two parts to start the car: the transmitter in 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 the vehicle you own. When the key is inserted into your ignition, the serial number is sent to the immobilizer in the car and verified that it is in line and allows the engine to start. This security feature can only be overcome by a specific device that reads the chip to match it to another vehicle.
You'll need to find a locksmith that has the equipment needed to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships provide this service as well but they are typically more expensive than a private locksmith due to their costs.
It isn't easy to find a new key with a chip. The key needs to be cut on a specific machine to ensure that it has the right tracks that can then be programmed to assign the key to your car. It requires specialized software, and the correct key cutter to do it properly.
Some of the less complicated chip keys can be copied at most auto part stores but you must know the serial number of the original key to ensure that the correct information is transferred to the new key. Many people make the mistake of visiting a dealer to get a chip key copied and end in paying more than they should.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys, also known as sidewinder keys because of their distinctive winding cuts on the key shank they add a layer of security to your vehicle. These keys are a great security measure against theft of your vehicle because they require specialized equipment to duplicate.
They also come with built-in chips that prevent unauthorised key copying from launching your vehicle. They also typically have a unique code on the key, which needs to be programmed for your specific car in order to allow it to be opened and started. This extra layer of security will guard your investment, and deter thieves from attempting to steal your vehicle for parts or to sell it.
Keys cut with lasers differ slightly from mechanically-cut keys in terms of design. car key button replacement have fewer grooves cut on the key. They also have a more robust key shaft that is an indication that it's not a regular car key. Locksmiths typically make use of a milling tool to cut these types of keys. It's akin to a drill, and it's designed to remove metal at precise angles.
These are the safest keys you can buy for your vehicle. They're hard to duplicate and must 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 type of key can withstand a lot wear and tear, and is one of the best options for protecting your vehicle.
The key can be folded up into the fob, or it can be removed by pressing a button. Keys like these are commonly used in German automobiles, and offer an additional layer of protection against car thieves. The cylinder is robust and difficult to break into, which makes it 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 of carved metal. 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, the key transmits a signal to your 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 comes with a variety of security features that protect it from theft. First the key emits a very low-frequency signal that isn't detected by any other receiver, not even your car. If the onboard computer detects this signal, it will display a different one that is an exclusive sequence that only your vehicle can understand. This stops a tech-savvy criminal from using a pulse generator in order to "fool the system" and make the key work on other vehicles.
Certain smart keys come with specific features, like saving 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 by pressing a button on the key itself or, in certain instances, twisting a small metal component inside the key.
The majority of these key fobs feature an unlock button that opens the doors by themselves however some come with another method of opening them: a slot or holding the dead key near an area on the dashboard, where it is able to hold an inductive coil that can transfer energy. Certain key fobs come with mechanical (fully emergency) key blade that is inside the key.
Replace a smart key requires a trip to the dealer, where they can request the replacement or stock it. The dealer will also need to program the new key so that it recognizes your vehicle. However, you can also visit a locksmith to get your replacement key fob programed and replaced. Locksmiths will cost more than a dealer however, they can do the job quicker and at a lower cost.