Keys Replacement For Cars
You can buy an alternative key for a mechanical one at any hardware shop. However, this key will have to be programmed by a locksmith or dealership.
Smart keys are more complex and require a visit to a dealer for the keys to be paired with your car. These types of keys can be costly however some insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
There are still car keys that are solely mechanical, the kind that you insert into an ignition lock cylinder, and turn to start your car. If your car uses one of these, it's relatively cheap to replace the fob and key (if lost or stolen).
A locksmith can create an entry level key for you at a lower price than you would buy from a dealership. You can also have your neighbor or a friend who is proficient in programming aftermarket transponder keys (which are cheaper than factory keys) cut keys and program them. It is essential to have a spare since modern cars won't be able to start when a key that isn't programmed with the correct chip is used.
Transponder keys are like mechanical keys, but they have an electronic chip hidden inside the base. The chip communicates with the computer system of your vehicle. Your car will recognize the code on the chip, but it will not start if you use another code.
If the spare key you have has chips that is programmed, it will have to be programmed by a dealer. The dealership will require an exclusive machine for cutting and programming the key. The machines are available at specific dealerships, and it is unlikely that a locksmith would have the equipment needed to create a key with transponder.
It's costly to replace keys using remotes, particularly if you require an extra. If you have just the key shank missing and an operational replacement fob, you can attempt to reprogramme your fob by yourself. However, it can be time-consuming and challenging. You're better off contacting a dealer when you've lost the key and the fob.
Other types of keys for cars require specialized skills to replace. They include flip keys and smart key. They're more complicated and require replacement by a dealer. Certain key fobs come with 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
If your car was built in the past 10 years or so, it's likely to have a transponder key system. The keys are equipped with a microchip and an electronic receiver that is programmed to send a signal to start your car.
Transponder keys are a great way to discourage theft because they require two parts in order for the car to be able to start that is the transmitter (transponder) in the key and the receiver connected to your immobilizer system. Without both the key and the immobilizer device present, the car will not start and is impossible to hotwire.
These key chips have a unique serial number for your vehicle. The serial number of the key is then sent to the immobilizer of the car, and then checked to match. If it does then the engine will begin. This security feature is only overcome by a specific device which can read the chip and match it with another car.
You'll require a locksmith who has the tools to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships provide this service, but their overheads make them more expensive than a locksmith who is independent.
It isn't easy to get a new key with chip. The key needs to be cut on a specific machine in order to have the right tracks that can then be used to program the key to your car. It requires specialized software, as well as the right key cutter to do the job correctly.
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 the proper information is being encoded into the new key. auto key replacement make the mistake of visiting their dealer to have a chip key copied and end in paying more than they should.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys, referred to as sidewinder keys because of their distinctive winding cuts in the key shank provide an additional layer of security to your vehicle. Because it requires specialized equipment to duplicate these keys, they're a fantastic security measure against auto theft.
They also come with built-in chips that prevent unauthorised key copying from launching your car. They also usually have a unique code on the key, which needs to be programmed for your particular car in order to unlock it and start it. This extra layer of security will safeguard your investment and prevent thieves from attempting 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 that are carved on the key. The key shaft is thicker, which is another indication that this isn't a standard car key. Locksmiths generally use a machine called milling tool to cut these kinds of keys. This machine is similar to a drill bit, and is designed to remove metal at precise angles.
They are the most secure keys you can purchase for your vehicle. They're hard to duplicate and can only be cut by a licensed locksmith or dealer. They're not created using traditional keys. Instead, they are made from a small piece steel that is shaped to form a code in the factory and then cut with laser. This kind of key is able to withstand a lot wear and tear and is among the best choices for protecting your vehicle.
Depending on the key, it could fold in the fob, or pop out by pressing a button. These kinds of keys are used extensively in German cars and offer an additional layer of protection against car thieves. The cylinder is also very robust and difficult to break into, making it extremely difficult for thieves to pick or pick-lock a vehicle.
Smart Keys
Smart keys communicate with the vehicle by using radio-frequency identification (RFID) instead of the traditional single piece carved metal. They are equipped with a chip that has an individual code, which is encoded on every key. The key sends a message to the onboard computer of your vehicle each time you unlock the doors or open the trunk. The computer then triggers the appropriate frequency which allows you to open your car and begin it.
The chip in the smart key comes with a variety of security features to guard it from theft. First the key emits a very low-frequency signal which isn't picked up by any other receiver, not even your car. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will send another one that is a unique code that only your vehicle can comprehend. This stops a cyber-savvy criminal from using an external pulse generator to "fool" the system and make the key work for other vehicles.
Some smart keys have special features, such as storing driver preferences, opening windows remotely or the sunroof remotely, and many more. These can be done by activating the key's proximity sensor by pressing a button on the key or, in some cases, twisting a small metal piece inside the key.
Some key fobs can be opened by placing the dead key in a slot or by placing it next to an inductive coil that is located on the dashboard. Some even come with an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade hidden in the key to allow this.
Replacing a smart key typically 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 your car. However, you can also go to a locksmith shop to have your new key fob programmed and replaced. Locksmiths will cost more than a dealer however, they can complete the task faster and cheaper.