Keys Replacement For Cars
If you have a basic mechanical key it is likely to find a replacement at any hardware store for cheap. However, the key will need to be programmed by a locksmith or dealer.
Smart keys are more complex and require a visit to the dealer to connect them to your car. They can be expensive however, many insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
There are still car keys that are solely mechanical, like the ones you put into an ignition lock cylinder and then turn to start your vehicle. If your car is equipped with one of these, replacing the key and fob is fairly inexpensive (if they are lost or stolen).
A locksmith can make an entry level key for you at a lower cost than what you'd buy from the dealership. You could also have someone close to you who knows how to program aftermarket transponder keys (which are less expensive than keys made by the factory) cut keys and have them programmed. 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 appear like mechanical keys, but they contain a hidden electronic chip embedded in the bottom of their plastic shape that communicates with your vehicle's computer system. Your car will recognize the code inside the chip and accept it, however it will not start if a different code is utilized.
If your spare key has a chip, you'll need to take it to a dealership to have it programmed. The dealership will need a special machine for both cutting and programming the key. These machines are available only at certain dealerships. It is unlikely that a locksmith would have the equipment needed to make a key using transponder.
Our Web Site with remotes cost a lot to replace, particularly when you require a spare. You can try reprogramming your fob yourself if you're only missing the shank of the key and have a functional replacement fob, but it could be difficult and time-consuming. If you've lost your entire fob and key but you're not sure, a dealer is the best option.
Other types of car keys require more specific skills to replace. These include flip keys and smart keys. These are more complex and usually have to be replaced at the dealership. Some key fobs feature an electronic key that folds into the enclosure and opens a door or uses proximity sensors to open and start your car.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the past 10 years or so, you're likely to use transponder keys. The keys are equipped with an embedded microchip and an electronic receiver that is programmed to communicate to start your vehicle.
Transponder keys are a great way to stop theft because they require two components for the car to be able to start which is the transmitter (transponder) inside the key and the receiver connected to your immobilizer system. The car will not start without both the key and immobilizer system.
These 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 cars immobilizer and then verified to make sure it matches up, it will then allow the engine to start. The only thing that can defeat this security feature is a special device that can detect the chip and match it to another vehicle.
You'll require an locksmith with the tools to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships offer this service, however their overhead makes them more expensive than an independent locksmith.
It isn't easy to obtain an entirely new key that has a chip. The key needs to be cut using a particular machine to ensure that it has the correct tracks in place that can then be used to program the key to your car. This requires special software and the correct key cutter to be done correctly.
Certain of the more basic chip keys can be cloned at a variety of auto parts stores but you must be aware of the serial number of the original key to ensure the correct information is transferred to the new key. Many people make the error of visiting their dealer to have a chip key copied, and end up paying more than they need to.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys, also referred to as sidewinder keys due their distinctive winding cuts to the shank of the key provide an additional layer of security to your vehicle. Because it requires specialized equipment to duplicate these keys, they're a fantastic protection against auto theft.
Like transponder keys. They have built-in chips that block unauthorized key copies from starting your vehicle. They have a unique code that must be programmed to your car to unlock it and begin it. This additional level of security will guard your investment and prevent thieves from trying to steal your car for parts or to resell it.
In terms of design Laser-cut keys are different from standard mechanical cut keys due to having fewer carved-out grooves on the key. The shaft of the key is thicker, which is another indication that this isn't a regular car key. Locksmiths usually use a milling machine to cut keys. This type of machine looks like a drill and is designed to cut metal at extremely precise and controlled angles.
They are the most secure keys that you can purchase for your vehicle. They are extremely difficult to duplicate and can only be done be cut by a certified locksmith or dealer. They're not created using traditional keys. Instead, they're constructed from a small piece of steel that's shaped according to a code at the factory, and then cut with a laser. This type of key is able to 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 pop out by pressing the button. These keys are used in German cars and offer an additional layer of protection against car thieves. They also make it very difficult for thieves to pick your vehicle or pick-lock it because the cylinder is extremely rugged and hard to break into.
Smart Keys
Smart keys communicate with the vehicle via radio-frequency identification (RFID) instead of the conventional single piece of carved metal. This means they have a tiny chip that contains an encrypted code that is unique to each key. The key sends a signal to the computer onboard of your vehicle each time you unlock the doors or open the trunk. The computer then prompts the appropriate frequency which allows you to open your car and start it.
The chip of the smart key comes with a variety of security features that protect against theft. First, the key emits a low-frequency signal that isn't received by any receiver but your car. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will transmit a different one which is a unique code that only your vehicle can comprehend. This prevents a tech savvy criminal from using an electronic pulse generator to "fool the system" and do the key work on other vehicles.
In addition to locking and starting the car, certain smart keys come with additional features like storing specific driver preferences remotely opening windows, the sunroof, among others. These features can be accessed by activating the proximity sensor on the key fob by pressing a button or, in some instances you can do this by twisting a small piece of metal inside the key.
Some key fobs can be opened by placing the dead key in a slot or by placing it near an inductive coil on the dashboard. Some even come with an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade hidden in the key to enable this.
To replace a smart key, you'll need a trip to the dealer, where they can purchase the replacement or have it in stock. They'll also have to program the new key to recognize your vehicle. You can also go to a locksmith for your replacement key fob to be programmed and then replaced. Locksmiths may charge more than a dealer, but they'll be able to do the job faster and less expensively.