Keys Replacement For Cars
If you have a basic mechanical key, you should be able to get a replacement at any hardware store for inexpensive. However, the key must be programmed by a locksmith or dealership.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a visit to the dealer to pair them with your vehicle. They are costly however, many insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still purchase mechanical keys for cars, the ones that you insert into the ignition lock for your vehicle to start. If your vehicle is equipped with one of these, it's relatively inexpensive to replace the key and fob (if lost or stolen).
A locksmith can cut an entry level key for you at a cheaper price than you would pay at a dealership. You could also ask a friend or neighbor that is proficient in programming aftermarket transponder keys (which are less expensive than keys made by the factory) cut you a spare key and program them. It is important to have a spare key as modern cars will not start if the key does not have the correct chip.
Transponder keys are similar to mechanical keys, but they have an electronic chip hidden inside the base. The chip communicates with the computer system in your vehicle. Your car will recognize the code in the chip and accept it, however it will refuse to start if a different code is used.
If your spare key contains chips that is programmed, it will have to be programmed by a dealer. You'll need an equipment that can cut the key and then program it. The machines are available at specific dealerships, and it is unlikely that a locksmith would have the equipment needed to create a key that has transponder.
It is expensive to replace keys using remotes, especially if require a spare. If you have only the key shank missing, and a functioning replacement fob you could try reprogramming your fob by yourself. However, it can be time-consuming and difficult. If you've lost the complete key and fob, however it's best to contact a dealer as the best option.
There are other kinds of keys for cars that require a specialized set of skills to replace, for example flip keys and smart keys. They are more complicated and are usually replaced at the dealership. Certain key fobs operate by proximity sensors or a door opener with a spring loaded mechanism.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the recent 10 years or so you're likely to use transponder keys. These keys are equipped with an embedded microchip inside the key and a receiver in your car that are both programmed to communicate with one another to start the car.
Transponder keys can be an effective method of preventing theft, since they require two parts to start the car: the transmitter in the key, and the receiver connected to the immobilizer. The car won't start without the key and immobilizer system.
These key chips are programmed with a unique serial number that is unique to your vehicle. g28carkeys of the key is transmitted to the immobilizer in the car, and then checked to be in line. If it does the engine starts, it will. The only thing that can stop this security feature is a device that is able to detect the chip and match it to another car.
When you get a transponder key replaced it is necessary to visit an locksmith with the tools needed to reprogram the key to your vehicle. Some car dealerships offer this service, however their overheads make them more costly than an independent locksmith.
Finding a new car key with a chip inside it is a complex procedure. The key has to be cut using a particular machine to get the correct tracks in place that can then be programmed to assign the key to your car. It requires specialized software and the correct key cutter to do it correctly.
Some of the simpler chip keys can be cloned at a variety of auto parts stores, but you need to know the serial number of the original key to ensure that the proper information is being programmed into the new key. Many people make a mistake by going to their dealer in search of the clone of a chip key and end up paying inflated prices.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys, also known as sidewinder keys due to their distinctive winding cuts in the key shank provide an additional layer of security to your vehicle. Because it takes specialized machinery to duplicate these keys, they're an excellent deterrent against auto-theft.
Like transponder keys, they have embedded chips that stop unauthorized key copies from opening your car. They also typically have a unique code on the key, which needs to be programmed for your specific car in order to unlock and start it. This extra layer of security will protect your investment and stop thieves from trying to steal your vehicle for parts or to sell it.
In terms of their design Laser-cut keys are different from conventional mechanical cut keys due to having smaller grooves that have been carved out of the key. The key shaft is also thicker, which is another sign that this is not a regular car key. Locksmiths typically use a milling machine to cut keys. This kind of tool looks much like a drill bit and is designed to cut metal with extremely precise, controlled angles.
These are the most secure keys you can buy for your vehicle. They're hard to duplicate and can only be done be cut by a certified locksmith or dealer. They're not like traditional keys. They're constructed from a tiny piece of steel that is made into a code, and then cut using the laser in the factory. This type of key is very robust and can be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear, making it one of the best options to protect your car.
The key can be folded up into the fob, or be removed by pressing the button. These keys are used in German cars, and provide an additional layer of protection against car thieves. They also make it difficult for thieves to pick your vehicle or pick-lock it, as the cylinder is extremely rugged and difficult 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. They have a chip with an unique code that is encoded on each key. The key transmits a message to the onboard computer in your vehicle every time you open the doors or open the trunk. The computer will then signal the right frequency that allows you to start your car.
The chip of the smart key comes with a variety of security features that protect against theft. The key emits an extremely low-frequency signal, which can only be detected by your vehicle. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will display a different one that is an exclusive sequence that only your car can understand. This stops a tech-savvy criminal from using a pulse generator in order to "fool the system" and do the key work on other vehicles.
Certain smart keys come with specific features, like saving preferences for drivers and opening windows remotely, or the sunroof remotely, and many more. These features are accessible by activating the proximity sensor on the key fob, pressing a button or, in some cases it is as simple as twisting a tiny piece of metal inside the key.
Most of these key fobs have an unlock button that opens the doors on their own However, some key fobs have an additional way to open them by a slot or placing the dead key close to an area on the dashboard where it holds an inductive coil which can transfer energy. Some key fobs have a mechanical (fully emergency) key blade that is inside the key.
To replace a smart key, you'll need a trip to the dealer, where they can order the replacement or have it on hand. The dealer will also have to program the new key to identify your car. However, you can also go to a locksmith shop to have your replacement key fob programed and replaced. Locksmiths may charge more than a dealer, but they'll be able to complete the job faster and for less.