Keys Replacement For Cars
You can purchase the replacement key for a mechanical one at any hardware shop. This key will need to be programmed by a locksmith or a dealer.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a trip to the dealer to connect them to your car. These kinds of keys can be costly however some insurance companies cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still buy mechanical car keys such as the ones you insert into an ignition lock cylinder to start your vehicle. If your car is equipped with one of these keys, replacing the key and fob is relatively inexpensive (if they get lost or stolen).
A locksmith can make a basic key for you at a cheaper cost than what you'd pay in a dealership. You can also ask a neighbour or friend who is able to program transponder keys for aftermarket use (which are cheaper than the factory keys) to make you a spare key and program it. It is essential to have a spare key because modern cars won't start when the key does not have the proper chip.
Transponder keys resemble mechanical keys, but contain an electronic chip in the base. The chip communicates with the computer system in your vehicle. Your car will accept the code on the chip, but will not start if you use another code.
If your spare key has chips, it will need to be programmed at a dealership. They'll require a special machine to both cut the key and program it. These machines are only available at certain dealerships and it is unlikely that a locksmith will have the equipment necessary to create a key with transponder.
It is expensive to replace keys with remotes, especially if you require an extra. If you have only the key shank missing, and a working replacement fob, you can try to reprogramme your fob by yourself. However, it could be time-consuming and complicated. It's better to go to a dealer if you've lost both the key and the fob.
There are other types of keys for cars that require a more specific set of skills to replace, like flip keys and smart keys. They're more complicated and require replacement by a dealer. Some key fobs are operated by a proximity sensor or a door opener with a spring loaded mechanism.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys will likely be used in cars constructed in the past 10 years. The keys are equipped with an embedded microchip and the receiver is programmed to communicate to start your car.
Transponder keys are an effective method of preventing theft since they require two components to start the car: the transmitter contained in the key and the receiver that is connected to the immobilizer. The car won't start without both the key and the immobilizer system.
Key chips have an unique serial number that is specific to your vehicle. The serial number of the key is sent to the immobilizer inside the car and checked to be in line. If it does then the engine will begin. This security feature can only be blocked by a specially designed device which can read the chip and match it with another car.
You'll have to find a locksmith that has the equipment to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships offer this service, but their overheads make them more costly than an independent locksmith.
It can be difficult to get an entirely new key that has chip. To program your car, the key needs to be programmed on a special machine. It requires specialized software, as well as the right key cutter to do it properly.
The majority of auto parts stores can copy some of the less complicated chips keys, however you must be aware of the serial number of the original key in order to ensure the correct information is encoded into the key. Many people make a mistake going to their dealer for an exact copy of a chip key and end up paying inflated prices.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys, also 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 great security measure against auto theft.
Like transponder keys, they have built-in chips that block unauthorised copies of keys from opening your car. They have a unique code that must be programmed into your car in order to unlock it and start it. This additional level of security is a great method to safeguard your investment and deter thieves who may be trying to steal your car to make parts or sell it on.
Laser-cut keys differ slightly from mechanically cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves carved out on the key. They also have a more robust key shaft that is an indication that it's not your typical car key. Locksmiths usually employ milling machines to cut keys. This type of machine looks similar to a drill bit and is designed to cut metal at extremely precise and controlled angles.
These are the most secure keys that you can purchase for your vehicle. They are difficult to duplicate and must be cut by a certified locksmith or dealer. They're not made with traditional keys. Instead, they are made from a small piece steel that is shaped to form a code in the factory, and then cut using laser. This kind of key is extremely durable and can stand up to a lot of wear and wear, making it one of the best options for protecting your vehicle.
The key can be folded in the fob, or be released by pressing the button. Keys like these are commonly used in German cars, and provide an extra layer of protection against car thieves. The cylinder is robust and difficult to break into, making it extremely difficult for thieves to pick or pick-lock the car.
Smart Keys Keys
Smart keys communicate with the vehicle using radio-frequency identification (RFID) instead of the traditional single piece of carved metal. They have a chip with a unique code, which is encoded on each key. The key sends a signal to the computer onboard of your vehicle every time you open the doors or open the trunk. The computer will then signal the appropriate frequency to allow you to start your car.
The chip in the smart key comes with a variety of security features to guard it from theft. The key emits a low-frequency signal, which will only be detected by your car. If the onboard computer detects this signal, it will trigger another one that is an individual sequence that only your vehicle can understand. This will stop a tech-savvy criminal from using a pulse generator in order to "fool the system" and make the key work on other vehicles.
Some smart keys have special features, like saving preferences for drivers remote opening windows, opening the sunroof from afar and many more. These can be done by activating the key fob's proximity sensor or pressing a button on the key or, in some 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 near an inductive coil that is located on the dashboard. Some key fobs feature mechanical (fully emergency) key blade that is inside the key.
Replacing automotive key replacement requires a visit to the dealership, who will either have the replacement on hand or make it available for you to purchase. The dealer will also need to program your new key to identify your car. You can also go to a locksmith for the replacement key fob to be programmed and replaced. A locksmith will charge more than a dealer but they will complete the task faster and at a lower cost.