Keys Replacement For Cars
If you have a standard mechanical key you should be able to purchase a replacement from 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 car dealer to be paired with your vehicle. They can be expensive however, many insurance companies will pay for 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, replacing the fob and key is fairly inexpensive (if they are lost or stolen).
A locksmith can design an original key at a lower cost than what you pay at a dealership. You could also ask your neighbor or a friend who is proficient in programming aftermarket transponder keys (which are cheaper than factory keys) cut you a spare key and then program them. Getting a spare is important because modern cars won't begin when a key is not programmed with the proper chip is used.
Transponder keys resemble mechanical keys, but contain an electronic chip in the base. This chip communicates with the computer system in your vehicle. Your car will be able to recognize the code in the chip and accept it, however it will refuse to start if any other code is utilized.
If your spare key contains a chip, it will need to be programmed at a dealership. They'll require a specific machine to 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 necessary to make a key using transponder.
Keys with remotes are expensive to replace, especially in the event that you need an extra. If you have only the key shank missing, and a functioning replacement fob you can try to reprogramme your fob on your own. However, it could be time-consuming and difficult. You're better off contacting an expert in the event that you've lost both the key and the fob.
Other kinds of car keys require more special skills to replace. They include flip keys and smart keys. They are more complicated and usually have to be replaced at the dealership. Some key fobs feature a spring-loaded key that folds into the enclosure and opens doors or is operated by a proximity sensor to open and start your vehicle.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys will likely be used in vehicles constructed in the last 10 years. These keys have a microchip within the key itself as well as a 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 components to start the car - the transmitter contained in the key and the receiver attached to the immobilizer. The car won't start without the key and immobilizer system.
The key chips are programmed with a unique serial number that is unique to your vehicle. When the key is inserted into the ignition the serial number is sent to the immobilizer of the car and then verified to make sure it is in line the number, which allows the engine to start. This security feature can only be overcome by a specific device which can read the chip to match it with another car.
If you need a transponder key replacement, you'll need to visit an authorized locksmith who has the equipment needed to reprogram the key into your car. Some car dealerships provide this service as well but they are typically more expensive than an independent locksmith due to their costs.
It isn't easy to get an entirely new key that has a chip. The key has to be cut using a particular machine in order to have the right tracks that can then be programmed to assign the key to your car. This requires special software and the correct key cutter in order to get it done properly.
Most auto parts stores can clone some of the simpler chips keys, but you will need to be aware of the serial number of the original key to ensure that the correct data is incorporated into the key. Many people make a mistake going to their dealer in search of a copy of a chip key and end up paying inflated prices.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys are also known as a sidewinder key due to the distinctive winding cut on the key shank. They add an additional layer of security to your car. Because it takes specialized machinery to duplicate these keys, they're an excellent protection against auto theft.
Like transponder keys, they feature embedded chips that stop unauthorized key copies from getting into your car. They also usually have a unique code on the key, which must be programmed to your specific car in order to unlock and start it. This additional level of security will safeguard your investment and stop thieves from attempting to steal your car for parts or to 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. The key shaft is more substantial, which is another sign that this is not a standard car key. Locksmiths usually employ milling machines to cut keys. This kind of tool looks much like a drill bit and is designed to remove metal with extremely precise controlled angles.
These are the most secure keys that you can purchase for your vehicle. They're hard to duplicate and can only by cut by a certified locksmith or dealer. Unlike car key replacement cost , they're made using a small piece of steel which is cut into a shape and then cut with a laser in the factory. This kind of key is able to be able to withstand a great deal of wear and tear, and is among the best choices for protecting your vehicle.
Depending on the key, it could either fold into the fob or pop out at the touch of the button. Keys like these are commonly used in German automobiles, and offer an extra layer of security against car thieves. They also make it very difficult for thieves to pick or pick-lock your vehicle because the cylinder is extremely tough and difficult to break into.
Smart Keys
In contrast to the traditional single piece of carved metal smart keys utilize RFID, or radio-frequency identification for short, to communicate with the car. This means they come with a tiny chip that contains an encrypted code that is unique to each key. When you open your car doors or pop the trunk, the key sends a signal to the vehicle's computer onboard. The computer will then signal the right frequency that allows you to start your vehicle.
The chip of the smart key has a number of security features to guard against theft. First, the key emits a low-frequency signal that isn't picked up by any other receiver, not even your vehicle. If the onboard computer detects this signal, it will display an alternative one that's an individual sequence that only your car can comprehend. This will stop a criminal with a high-tech background from using an external generator to "fool" the system and make the key work for other vehicles.
Some smart keys offer special features, like storing driver preferences remote opening windows, opening the sunroof from afar and many other. These can be done by activating the key's proximity sensor or pressing a button on the key itself or, in certain instances, by twisting a tiny metal part inside the key.
Certain key fobs can be opened by holding the dead key in a slot, or by placing it next to an inductive coil on the dashboard. Some even have an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade concealed in the key to enable this.
Replace a smart key requires an appointment with a dealer, where they can order the replacement or have it on hand. The dealer will also have to program your new key to identify your vehicle. You can also go to an locksmith to get your replacement key fob to be programmed and then replaced. A locksmith will charge more than dealers, but they will complete the task faster and cheaper.