Keys Replacement For Cars
If you own a basic mechanical key, you should be able to get a replacement at any hardware store for inexpensive. However, this key will have to be programmed by a locksmith or dealer.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a visit to the car dealer to be paired with your car. They are costly however, many insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still purchase car keys that are only mechanical, like the ones you insert into an ignition lock cylinder and then turn to start your car. If your car is equipped with one of these, it's relatively affordable to replace the fob and key (if lost or stolen).
A locksmith can create new keys for less than you would buy from a dealer. You can also have your neighbor or a friend who knows how to program transponder keys that are made for the aftermarket (which are less expensive than keys from 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 correct chip is used.
Transponder keys are like mechanical keys, but they contain an electronic chip in the base. car key replacement with the computer system in your car. Your car will recognize the code on the chip, but will not start if you try to use another code.
If the spare key you have has a chip, you'll need to bring it to a dealership to have it programmed. They'll require a specific machine to cut the key and program it. These machines are only available through certain dealerships, and it's unlikely that a locksmith has the equipment needed to create keys that are laser-cut with a transponder.
It's costly to replace keys with remotes, particularly if you require an extra. Try reprogramming the fob by yourself if you're missing the key shank and have a working replacement fob, but it could be time-consuming and difficult. It's better to go to an expert when you've lost the fob and the key.
There are different kinds of car keys that require a specialized set of skills to replace, such as flip keys and smart keys. These are more complicated and require replacement by the dealer. Key fobs can be operated by proximity sensors or a door opener that is spring-loaded.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the past 10 years or so, you're likely to use a transponder key system. These keys are equipped with an embedded microchip inside the key and a receiver in your car that are both programmed to communicate with each other in order to start the vehicle.
Transponder keys can be an excellent method of preventing theft, as they require two parts to start a car - the transmitter contained in the key and the receiver attached to the immobilizer. The car won't start without the key and the immobilizer system.
These key chips have an individual serial number specific to your vehicle. When the key is inserted into the ignition the serial number is then sent to the immobilizer of the car and verified that it is compatible, it will then allow the engine to run. This security feature is only overcome by a specific device which can read the chip and match it to another vehicle.
When you get a transponder key replaced it is necessary to visit a locksmith that has the tools needed to reprogram the key into your car. Some car dealerships also offer this service, but their overheads make them more costly than an independent locksmith.
Getting a new car key with a chip inside it can be a very complex process. To program your car, the key has to be programmed on a special machine. It requires specialized software as well as the appropriate key cutter to cut it properly.
Some of the simpler chip keys can be copied at the majority of auto parts stores, but you must know the serial number of the original key to ensure that the correct information is programmed into the new key. Many people make a mistake going to their dealer in search of a copy of a chip-key and end up paying overpriced prices.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys, also known as sidewinder keys because of their distinctive winding cuts on the key shank provide an additional layer of security to your vehicle. These keys are a great protection against auto theft since they require specialized equipment to duplicate.
They also come with built-in chips that prevent the copying of keys by unauthorized people from starting your vehicle. They come with a unique code that needs to be programmed into your vehicle to unlock it and start it. This additional level of security is a great way to protect your investment and deter thieves who might be trying to steal your vehicle to make parts or sell it on.
Laser-cut keys differ from mechanically cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves that are carved 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 kind of machine appears much like a drill bit and is designed to cut metal at extremely precise and controlled angles.
These are the safest keys you can buy for your vehicle. They're hard to duplicate and can only by cut by a certified locksmith or dealer. They're not created using traditional keys. Instead, they're made from a small piece steel that is shaped to form a code in the factory before being cut using laser. This kind of key is very robust and can be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear which makes it one of the best options for protecting your vehicle.
Depending on the key, it could fold into the fob or be released by pressing a button. Keys like these are commonly used in German automobiles, and offer an extra layer of protection against car thieves. They also make it very difficult for thieves to pick your vehicle or pick-lock it, as the cylinder is extremely durable and difficult to break into.
Smart Keys
Contrary to the conventional single piece of carved metal, smart keys make use of radio-frequency identification, or RFID to connect with the car. This means they have a tiny chip that contains an encrypted code that is unique to each key. The key sends a message to the onboard computer in 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 is equipped with several security features to guard it from theft. First the key emits a very low-frequency signal that isn't received by any receiver but your car. If the onboard computer detects this signal, it will trigger an alternative one that's a unique sequence that only your car can comprehend. 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 offer special features, such as saving preferences for drivers and opening windows remotely, or the sunroof via remote and many more. These can be done by activating the key fob's proximity sensor by pressing a button on the key itself or, in certain instances, twisting a small metal component inside the key.
Most of these key fobs have a button that can unlock the doors for themselves, but some have an additional way to open them: a slot or holding the dead key near an area on the dashboard, where it houses an inductive coil which can transfer energy. Some even come with an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade hidden in the key to activate this.
Replacing a smart lock typically requires a visit the dealer, who will either have the replacement in stock or order it for you. The dealer will also need to program your new key to identify your car. However, you can also go to a locksmith shop to have your replacement key fob programed and replaced. A locksmith will charge more than dealers, but he or she can do the job quicker and cheaper.