Keys Replacement For Cars
If you have a basic mechanical key you should be able to find a replacement at any hardware store for relatively affordable. However, the key will need to be programmed by a locksmith or dealer.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a trip to the dealer to connect them to your vehicle. These kinds of keys can be costly however some insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still buy mechanical keys for your car which you insert into the ignition lock cylinder to start your car. If your car has one of these keys, replacing the fob and key is fairly inexpensive (if they are lost or stolen).
A locksmith can create an entry level key for you at a less cost than what you would buy from the dealership. You can also ask a neighbour or friend who knows how to program transponder keys (which are cheaper than the keys that are factory-made) to make you a spare key and then program it. It is essential to have a spare key because modern cars will not start if the key does not have the right chip.
Transponder keys resemble mechanical keys but have an electronic chip hidden inside the base. The chip communicates with the computer system in your vehicle. Your car will recognize the code contained in the chip and accept it, however it will not start if any other code is utilized.
If your spare key contains a chip that is programmed, it will have to be programmed at a dealership. The dealership will need an equipment that is specifically designed for cutting and programming the key. These machines are only available through certain dealerships, and it's not likely that a locksmith has the tools needed to make a laser-cut key with a transponder.
Keys with remotes cost a lot to replace, particularly in the event that you need an extra. If you have only the key shank missing and a working replacement fob, you can attempt to reprogramme your fob on your own. However, it could be time-consuming and difficult. If you've lost your entire fob and key but you're not sure, a dealer is the best option.
There are other types of car keys that require a specialized set of skills to replace, for example flip keys and smart keys. These are more complicated and need to be replaced by the dealer. Some key fobs feature an electronic key that folds into the enclosure and opens a door, or they're operated with proximity sensors to open and start your vehicle.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys will likely be used in cars constructed in the past 10 years. The keys have a microchip and an electronic receiver that is programmed to communicate with start your vehicle.
Transponder keys are a great method to deter theft since they require two components for the car to start that is the transmitter (transponder) inside the key and the receiver that is connected to your immobilizer system. The car won't start without both the key and immobilizer system.
The key chips come with an individual serial number specific to your vehicle. The serial number of the key is sent to the immobilizer in the car and checked to be in line. If it does the engine starts, it will. The only thing that could stop this security feature is a device that is able to read the chip and match it to another car.
When you have a transponder key replaced, you'll need to visit an authorized locksmith who has the necessary equipment to reprogram the keys to your vehicle. Some car dealerships also offer this service, but their overhead makes them more expensive than a locksmith who is independent.
Finding a new car key with a chip inside it is a complicated process. To program your car, the key has to be programmed on a specific machine. It requires specialized software as well as the appropriate key cutter to do the job properly.
Most auto parts stores can copy some of the less complicated chips keys, but you will need to know the serial number from the original key to ensure the correct information is programmed into the key. Many people make the mistake of going to their dealer for a copy of a chip key and end up paying inflated prices.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys, referred to as sidewinder keys due their distinctive winding cuts to the shank of the key, add an extra layer of security to your vehicle. These keys are a great protection against auto theft since they require special equipment to duplicate.
They also come with built-in chips that prevent unauthorized key copying from starting your car. They have a unique number that must be programmed into your vehicle to unlock it and begin it. This extra layer of security will safeguard your investment and prevent thieves from attempting to steal your car for parts or to resell it.
In terms of their design laser-cut keys are different from mechanical cut keys due to having less grooves carved out on the key. The key shaft is larger, which is a sign that this is not an ordinary car key. Generally, locksmiths use a machine called milling tool to cut these types of keys. This type of machine looks like a drill and is designed to remove metal at extremely precise controlled angles.
These are among the most secure keys you can purchase for your car, because they're very hard to replicate and can only be cut by a dealer or a licensed locksmith. 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 kind of key is very durable and is able to stand up to a lot of wear and tear and is one of the best options to protect your car.
Depending on the key, it will either fold into the fob or pop out at the touch of the button. Keys like this are used extensively in German automobiles and provide an additional layer of security against car thieves. The cylinder is resistant to breaking into, making it extremely difficult for a thief pick or pick-lock a vehicle.
Smart Keys Keys
Unlike the traditional single piece of carved metal, smart keys use RFID, also known as radio-frequency identification, to communicate with the car. This means they come with tiny chips that contain an encrypted code that is unique to each key. When you open your car's doors or open the trunk, the key sends a signal to the car's onboard computer. The computer then triggers the right frequency, allowing you to access your car and start it.
The chip in the smart key comes with a variety of security features to protect it from theft. The key emits a low-frequency signal, which can only be detected by 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 stops a cyber-savvy criminal from using an external pulse generator to "fool" the system and perform the work for other vehicles.
Some smart keys have special features, such as storing driver preferences and opening windows remotely, or the sunroof from afar and many other. These functions can be accessed by activating the proximity sensor on the key fob by pressing a button, or, in some instances it is as simple as twisting a tiny piece of metal inside the key.
Most of these key fobs come with buttons that open the doors for themselves, but some have an additional method to open them by a slot or placing the dead key near the dashboard, where it is able to hold an inductive coil that can transfer energy. Some even have an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade that is hidden inside the key to allow this.
Replacing a key with a smart chip typically requires a visit the dealership, who will either have the replacement in stock or order it for you. The dealer will also have 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 replaced. car key replacement near me may cost more than dealers, however, they can complete the task faster and at a lower cost.