Keys Replacement For Cars
You can buy an alternative key for a mechanical key at any hardware store. The key must be programmed either by a locksmith or a dealer.
Smart keys are more complex and require a visit from the car dealer to be paired with your car. These keys are expensive, but many car insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
There are still car keys that are solely mechanical, such as the ones you put into an ignition lock cylinder and turn to start your vehicle. If your vehicle is equipped with one of these, it's affordable to replace the key and fob (if lost or stolen).
A locksmith can make a basic key for you at a lower price than you would pay in the dealership. You could also have a friend or neighbor that is proficient in programming aftermarket transponder keys (which are cheaper than factory keys) cut you a spare key and have them programmed. It is important to have a spare key as modern cars won't start if the key does not have the correct chip.
Transponder keys look like mechanical keys, but they contain a hidden electronic chip in the base of their plastic form that communicates with the computer system in your vehicle. Your car will recognize the code inside the chip and accept it, however it will refuse to start if another code is used.
If the spare key you have has chips that is programmed, it will have to be programmed by a dealer. They'll require a special machine to both cut the key and then program it. These machines are only available through certain dealerships, and it's not likely that a locksmith will have the tools needed to make a laser-cut key with a transponder.
Keys with remotes can be costly to replace, especially if you need a spare. You could try reprogramming your fob on your own if you're just missing the shank on the key and you have a functioning replacement fob, but it can be time-consuming and difficult. You're better off going to a dealer in the event that you've lost both the fob and the key.
Other kinds of car keys require more specialized skills to replace. They include flip keys as well as smart keys. These are more complex and usually have to be replaced at the dealership. Certain key fobs come with keys that are spring-loaded and fold into the enclosure and opens doors or uses the use of a proximity sensor to open and start your car.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys are likely to be used in vehicles constructed in the past 10 years. These keys are equipped with a microchip within the key itself and the car's receiver which are both programmed to communicate with each other in order to start the vehicle.
Transponder keys are a fantastic way to stop theft because they require two parts for the car to start that is the transmitter (transponder) inside the key and the receiver connected to your immobilizer system. The car will not start without the key and immobilizer system.
These key chips have an unique serial number that is specific to your vehicle. The serial number of the key is then sent to the immobilizer in the car and verified 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 to another vehicle.
When you get a transponder key replaced, you'll need to visit a locksmith that has the necessary equipment to reprogram the keys to your car. Some car dealerships provide this service too, but they are typically more expensive than a independent locksmith because of their costs.
The process of getting a new car keys with a chip inside it is a complex procedure. The key needs to be cut on a specific machine to ensure that it has the right tracks that can 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 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. Many people make a mistake by visiting their dealer to purchase a copy of a chip key only to end up paying high prices.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys are also referred to as a sidewinder key due to the distinctive winding cut on the shank of the key. They add an extra layer of security to your car. Keys like these are a great deterrent to auto theft because they require specialized machinery to duplicate.
They also have built-in chips to prevent unauthorised key copying from launching your car. They also typically contain a unique code the key, which must be programmed for your particular vehicle in order to unlock and start it. This additional level of security is a great way to protect your investment and deter thieves who might be trying to steal your car for parts or sell it on.
Keys cut with lasers differ slightly from mechanically-cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves carved out on the key. The shaft of the key is thicker, which is another indication that this isn't an ordinary car key. Locksmiths generally employ a machine known as milling tool to cut these kinds of keys. This tool is similar to a drill, and it's designed to cut metal at precise angles.
These are the safest keys that you can purchase for your vehicle. They are difficult to duplicate and can only be cut by a licensed locksmith or dealer. They're not created using traditional keys. Instead, they're made from a small piece steel that is shaped to form a code in the factory before being cut with a laser. This type of key is very robust and can be able to withstand the rigors of wear and tear which makes it one of the best options to protect your car.
Depending on the key, it will either fold into the fob or pop out with the click of the button. These kinds of keys are used extensively in German automobiles and provide an additional layer of security against car thieves. They also make it difficult for a thief to pick your vehicle or pick-lock it since the cylinder is extremely tough and is difficult to break.
car key replacements
In contrast to the traditional single piece of carved metal, smart keys make use of RFID, also known as radio-frequency identification to connect with the car. This means they come with tiny chips that contain an encrypted code that is unique to each key. Whenever you unlock your car's doors or open the trunk the key transmits a signal to your vehicle's computer onboard. The computer then prompts the right frequency, allowing you to access your car and start it.
The smart key's chip has a number of security features to guard against theft. First the key emits a very low-frequency signal that can't be detected by any other receiver, not even your vehicle. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will trigger another one that is an exclusive sequence that only your car can comprehend. This prevents a tech savvy criminal from using a pulse generator to "fool the system" and perform the work on other vehicles.
Certain smart keys come with specific features, like the ability to store preferences for drivers remote opening windows, opening the sunroof remotely and many other. This can be accomplished by activating the key fob's proximity sensor, pressing a button on the key, or, in some cases, twisting a small 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. Certain key fobs come with mechanical (fully emergency) key blade in the key.
Replacing a key with a smart chip usually requires a visit to the dealer, who will either have the replacement on hand or purchase it for you. They'll also need to program the new key to recognize your vehicle. You can also visit an locksmith to get your replacement key fob to be programmed and then replaced. Locksmiths may charge more than the dealer, but they'll likely be able to finish the job quicker and at a lower cost.