Keys Replacement For Cars
You can get the replacement key for a mechanical key at any hardware store. However, this key will need to be programmed by a locksmith or dealership.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a trip to the dealer to connect them to your vehicle. These types of keys can be costly, but some car insurance companies cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still purchase car keys that are only mechanical, the kind that you insert into an ignition lock cylinder and then turn to start your car. If your vehicle is equipped with one of these, it's relatively cheap to replace the key and fob (if lost or stolen).
A locksmith can create an entry level key for you at a less cost than what you'd buy from the dealership. You could also ask your neighbor or a friend who is proficient in programming aftermarket transponder keys (which are less expensive than keys made by the factory) cut keys and program them. Getting a spare is important because modern cars won't start if a key without the correct chip is used.
Transponder keys appear like mechanical keys, but they are actually equipped with an electronic chip embedded in the bottom of their plastic design that communicates with your car's computer system. Your car will be able to recognize the code contained in the chip and accept it, however it will refuse to start if any other code is utilized.
If the spare key you have has chips, you'll have to take it to a dealership to have it programmed. The dealership will require an exclusive machine for cutting and programming the key. These machines are only available at certain dealerships and it is unlikely that a locksmith have the tools needed to make a key using a transponder.
It's expensive to replace keys using remotes, particularly if you require an extra. Try reprogramming the fob on your own if you're just missing the shank of the key and have a functioning replacement fob, but it can be time-consuming and laborious. If cost for car key replacement 've lost the complete fob and key but you're not sure you should seek out a dealer as your best bet.
There are other types of car keys that require a more specific set of skills to replace, such as flip keys and smart keys. They are more complicated and are usually replaced at the dealership. Some key fobs are operated by a proximity sensor or a door opener with a spring loaded mechanism.
Transponder Keys
If your car is built in the last 10 years or so it's likely to have transponder keys. These keys are equipped with an embedded microchip inside the key itself as well as an internal receiver in your car that both have been programmed to communicate with one another to start the car.
Transponder keys are an excellent way to discourage theft because they require two parts for the car to start which is the transmitter (transponder) in the key and the receiver that is connected to your immobilizer system. The car will not start without the key and the immobilizer system.
The key chips come with an unique serial number that is specific to your vehicle. The serial number of the key is sent to the immobilizer in the car, and then checked to be in line. If it does then the engine will begin. This security feature is only blocked by a specially designed device that reads the chip to match it to another vehicle.
You'll require a locksmith that has the equipment needed to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships offer this service too, but they are generally more expensive than a independent locksmith due to their overhead.
Finding a new car key that comes with a chip it is a complicated procedure. The key has to be cut using a particular machine to ensure that it has the right tracks that can be programmed to assign the key to your car. This requires specific software and the right key cutter to get it done properly.
Most auto parts stores can duplicate some of the more basic chips keys, but you must know the serial number of the original key in order to ensure that the correct information is encoded 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 extra layer of security to your car. Because it requires specialized equipment to duplicate these keys, they're a great protection against auto theft.
They also have built-in chips to prevent unauthorized key copying from starting your car. They also contain a unique code the key, which needs to be programmed for your particular vehicle in order to unlock and start it. This additional level of security is a fantastic way to protect your investment and deter thieves who might be trying to steal your car to make parts or sell it.
In terms of their design, laser-cut keys are slightly different from mechanical cut keys in that they have less grooves carved out on the key. The key shaft is also more substantial, which is another sign that this is not an ordinary car key. Generally, locksmiths use a machine called milling tool to cut these kinds of keys. This kind of tool looks similar to a drill bit and is designed to remove metal with extremely precise, controlled angles.
These are the safest keys you can purchase for your vehicle. They're hard to duplicate and can only be done be cut by a certified locksmith or dealer. In contrast to traditional keys, they're made from a small piece of steel that's shaped into a code and then cut using a laser at the factory. This type of key is able to endure a lot of wear and tear, and is one of the best options to protect your vehicle.
Depending on the key, it will fold in the fob, or pop out with the click of the button. Keys like this are typically used in German automobiles and provide an additional layer of protection against car thieves. They also make it difficult for thieves to pick or pick-lock your vehicle since the cylinder is extremely durable and is difficult to break.
Smart Keys
Smart keys communicate with the vehicle via radio-frequency identification (RFID) instead of the conventional single piece of carved metal. They are equipped with a chip that has a unique code, which is encoded on every key. Whenever you unlock your car's doors, or open the trunk, the key sends a signal to your car's onboard computer. The computer will then signal the right frequency that allows you to start your car.
The chip inside the smart key comes with a variety of security features that protect it from theft. First, the key emits a very low-frequency signal that isn't detected by any receiver other than your car. If the onboard computer detects this signal, it will display an alternative one that's an exclusive sequence that only your vehicle will comprehend. This will stop a criminal with a high-tech background from using an external generator to "fool" the system and perform the work for other vehicles.
Some smart keys have special features, like storing driver preferences remote opening windows, opening the sunroof via remote, and many more. These features are accessible by activating the proximity sensor on the key fob, pressing a button or, in certain 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 include an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade that is hidden inside the key to activate this.
Replace a smart key requires a trip to the dealer, who can either order the replacement or have it on hand. They'll also have to program the new key to recognize your vehicle. You can also go to a locksmith for the replacement key fob to be programmed and then replaced. A locksmith may cost more than the dealer, but they'll likely be able to complete the job quicker and for less.