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 inexpensive. However, the key will have to be programmed by a locksmith or dealer.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a visit to a dealer for the keys to be paired with your car. These types of keys can be costly however some insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
There are still car keys that are purely mechanical, the kind that you place in an ignition lock cylinder and turn to start your vehicle. If your car has one of these keys, replacing the fob and keys is relatively cheap (if they get lost or stolen).
A locksmith can cut an entry level key for you at a less cost than what you'd pay at the dealership. You can also ask a neighbour or friend who is able to program transponder keys aftermarket (which are less expensive than factory keys) to make you a spare key and program it. It is essential to have a spare since modern cars won't be able to start when a key that isn't programmed with the proper chip is used.
Transponder keys look a lot like mechanical keys, however they are actually equipped with an electronic chip in the base of their plastic design that communicates with your vehicle's computer system. The car will accept the code that is on the chip, but will not start if you try to use another code.
If your spare key contains a chip, it will need to be programmed by a dealer. The dealership will require an exclusive machine for cutting and programming the key. The machines are available at certain dealerships. It is unlikely that a locksmith have the equipment necessary to create a key with transponder.
It is expensive to replace keys with remotes, especially if require an extra. You can try reprogramming your fob on your own if you're just missing the key shank and have a working replacement fob, however it can be time-consuming and difficult. It's better to go to an authorized dealer in the event that you've lost both the fob and the key.
There are different kinds of keys for cars that require a more specialized set of skills to replace, like flip keys and smart keys. They are more complicated and typically need to be replaced at the dealership. Certain key fobs operate by a proximity sensor or a door opener that is spring-loaded.
key replacement will likely be used in cars built within the last 10 years. These keys contain a microchip and a receiver that is programmed to send a signal to 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 connected to your immobilizer system. The car won't start without both the key and immobilizer system.
The key chips are programmed with a unique serial number that is unique to your vehicle. When the key is inserted into your ignition, the serial number is transmitted to the immobilizer in the car and then verified to make sure it is compatible and allows the engine to start. This security feature is only defeated by a special device which can read the chip and match it with a different car.
You'll require a locksmith who has the equipment needed to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships offer this service, however they tend to be more expensive than a independent locksmith because of their costs.
It isn't easy to get an original key that comes with a chip. The key needs to be cut using a particular machine in order to have the right tracks which can later be programmed to assign the key to your car. It requires specialized software as well as the appropriate key cutter to do the job properly.
Most auto parts stores can clone some of the simpler chips keys, however you'll need to be aware of the serial number of the original key to ensure that the correct information is incorporated into the key. Many people make the error of visiting a dealer to have a chip key copied, and end with a bill that is higher than what they need to.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys are also known as a sidewinder key due to the distinctive winding cut that is made on the shank of the key. They add an additional layer of security to your vehicle. Because it takes specialized machinery to duplicate these keys, they're an excellent security measure against auto theft.
They also have built-in chips to stop the copying of keys by unauthorized people from starting your vehicle. They have a unique number that must be programmed to your vehicle to unlock it and start it. This additional level of security will guard your investment, and deter thieves from attempting to steal your vehicle in exchange for parts or to sell it.
Laser-cut keys differ from mechanically-cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves carved out on the key. They also have a thicker key shaft which is an excellent indication that it's not your regular car key. Locksmiths usually employ milling machines to cut these keys. This tool is similar to a drill bit, and it's designed to cut metal at precise angles.
These are among the most secure keys you can buy for your vehicle, since they're extremely difficult to duplicate and only cut by the dealer or a licensed locksmith. They're not made using traditional keys. Instead, they are made from a small piece steel that is shaped into a specific code at the factory, and then cut using laser. This kind of key is extremely robust and can endure many years of wear and tear and is one of the best options for protecting your vehicle.
Depending on the key, it will fold into the fob or be released by pressing a button. These kinds of keys are used extensively in German automobiles and provide an additional layer of protection against car thieves. They also make it very difficult for a thief to pick your vehicle or pick-lock it, as the cylinder is extremely tough and hard to break into.
Smart Keys
Smart keys communicate with the vehicle using 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 every key. The key sends a message to the onboard computer in your vehicle whenever you unlock the doors or open the trunk. The computer will then signal the appropriate frequency to allow you to start your vehicle.
The smart key's chip has a number of security features to guard against theft. First, the key emits a low-frequency signal that isn't picked up by any receiver other than your car. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will send an additional signal that is an exclusive code that only your vehicle can comprehend. This will stop a tech-savvy criminal from using a pulse generator in order to "fool the system" and perform the work on other vehicles.
In addition to locking and opening the car, some smart keys have special features like storing specific driver preferences remote opening windows or the sunroof, and many more. These features can be accessed by activating the proximity sensor on the key fob, pressing a button or, in some instances it is as simple as twisting a tiny piece of metal inside the key.
Certain key fobs are opened by holding the dead key in a slot or by placing it near an inductive coil on the dashboard. Some even have an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade concealed in the key to allow this.
Replacing a smart lock typically requires a visit to the dealership, who will either have the replacement in stock or order it for you. The dealer will also need to program the new key to identify your vehicle. You can also go to a locksmith for your replacement key fob to be programmed and replaced. A locksmith may cost more than dealers, but they will do the job faster and for less.