Keys Replacement For Cars
If you have a standard mechanical key you should be able to find a replacement at any hardware store for inexpensive. This key will need to be programmed either by a locksmith or 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 purchase mechanical keys for your car, 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 affordable to replace the fob and key (if lost or stolen).
A locksmith can make a basic key for you at a less price than you would pay in a dealership. You can also ask a neighbor or a friend who knows how to program transponder keys (which are cheaper than the keys made by the factory) to make you a spare key and have it programmed. It is important to have a spare key since modern cars will not start in the event that the key does have the right chip.
Transponder keys are like mechanical keys, but contain an electronic chip in the base. This chip communicates with the computer system of your vehicle. Your car will recognize the code contained in 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 at a dealership. You'll need a special machine to both cut the key and program it. These machines are only available at certain dealerships. It is unlikely that a locksmith will have the tools needed to create a key that has transponder.
Keys with remotes cost a lot to replace, particularly when you require a spare. Try reprogramming the fob on your own if you're just missing the shank on the key and you have a functional replacement fob, however it can be time-consuming and laborious. If you've lost your entire key and fob but you're not sure it's best to contact a dealer as your best bet.
Other kinds of keys for cars require more specific skills to replace. This includes flip keys and smart keys. These are more complex and are usually replaced at the dealership. Some key fobs have an electronic key that folds into the enclosure and opens a door or uses the use of a proximity sensor to open and start your car.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the past 10 years or so, it's likely to have transponder keys. The keys are equipped with the microchip as well as a receiver that is programmed to send a signal to start your car.
Transponder keys are an excellent method of preventing theft since they require two components to start the car: the transmitter in the key and the receiver attached to the immobilizer. Without both the key and the immobilizer system in place, the car won't start and it will be impossible to hotwire.
These key chips are programmed with a serial number that is unique to the vehicle you own. The serial number of the key is sent to the immobilizer in the car and verified to be in line. If it does then the engine will begin. The only thing that can stop this security feature is a device that can detect the chip and match it with another vehicle.
When you get a transponder key replaced you'll need to go to a locksmith that has the equipment needed to reprogram the key into your vehicle. Some car dealerships provide this service, however their overheads make them more expensive than a locksmith who is independent.
It isn't easy to get a new key with a chip. To program your car, the key needs to be programmed on a special machine. This requires special software and the correct key cutter to be done correctly.
Some of the less complicated chip keys can be copied at most auto part stores, but you need to be aware of the serial number of the original key to ensure that the proper information is being encoded into the new key. Many people make the mistake of visiting a dealer to get a chip key copied and end in paying more than they have to.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys, also referred to as sidewinder keys due their distinctive winding cuts in the key shank provide an additional layer of security to your vehicle. Keys like these are a great deterrent to auto theft because they require specialized equipment to duplicate.
Like transponder keys, they feature built-in chips that block duplicate keys from getting into your vehicle. They also contain a unique code the key, which needs to be programmed for your specific vehicle in order to unlock it and start it. This additional level of security is an excellent option to protect your investment and deter thieves who may be trying to steal your vehicle for parts or to sell it on.
In terms of their design, laser-cut keys are slightly different from mechanical cut keys due to having less grooves carved out on the key. remote car key replacement cost is thicker, which is another sign that this is not a standard car key. Locksmiths typically employ a machine known as milling tool to cut these kinds of keys. This tool is similar to a drill bit and it's designed to cut metal at precise angles.
They're among the most secure keys you can buy for your car, as they're very hard to replicate and only cut by the dealer or a licensed locksmith. In contrast to traditional keys, they're made from a small piece of steel which is made into a code, and then cut with a laser at the factory. This type of key is able to withstand a lot wear and tear and is among the best choices for protecting your vehicle.
The key can be folded in the fob, or it can be released by pressing a button. These kinds of keys are typically used in German cars and offer an additional layer of security against car thieves. They also make it difficult for thieves to pick your vehicle or pick-lock it, as the cylinder is extremely tough and hard to break into.
Smart Keys
In contrast to the traditional single piece of carved metal, smart keys use radio-frequency identification, or RFID to connect with the car. They are equipped with a chip that has a unique code, which is encoded on each key. The key sends a signal to the onboard computer of your vehicle every time you open the doors or open the trunk. The computer will then signal the correct frequency to allow you to start your car.
The smart key's chip also has a number 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 transmit another one that is a unique code that only your vehicle can comprehend. This prevents a tech-savvy criminal from using an external pulse generator to "fool" the system and create the key function for other vehicles.
Some smart keys offer specific features, like the ability to store preferences for drivers remote opening windows, opening the sunroof from afar, and many more. These are accomplished by activating the key fob's proximity sensor or pressing a button on the key or, in certain instances, by twisting a tiny metal component inside the key.
Certain key fobs are opened by placing the dead key in a slot, or by placing it next to an inductive coil on the dashboard. Certain key fobs come with a mechanical (fully emergency) key blade in the key.
Replace a smart key requires a trip to the dealer, who will either order the replacement or have it on hand. They'll also have to program the new key to recognize your car. You can also visit an locksmith to get your replacement key fob to be programmed and then replaced. Locksmiths may charge more than a dealer, but they'll be able to complete the job quicker and at a lower cost.