Keys Replacement For Cars
If you own a basic mechanical key you should be able to find a replacement at any hardware store for cheap. This key will need to be programmed either by a locksmith or dealer.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a visit to the dealer to connect them to your car. They can be expensive however many car insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still purchase car keys that are purely mechanical, like the ones you insert into an ignition lock cylinder, and turn to start your vehicle. If your car is equipped with one of these, replacing the fob and key is relatively cheap (if they are lost or stolen).
A locksmith can design an original key for less than you would buy from a dealer. You can also ask a neighbor or friend who knows how to program transponder keys for aftermarket use (which are cheaper than the keys made by the factory) to make you a spare key and program it. It is important to have a spare key as modern vehicles won't start in the event that the key does have the right chip.
Transponder keys resemble mechanical keys but have an electronic chip hidden within the base. This chip communicates with the computer system in your car. Your car will accept the code in the chip, but will not start if you try to use another code.
If your spare key has chips, you'll have to bring it to a dealer to get it programmed. The dealership will need a special machine for both cutting and programming the key. These machines are only available through certain dealerships, and it's not likely that a locksmith has the equipment needed to create an engraved key using a laser transponder.
It's expensive to replace keys with remotes, especially if require a spare. You can try reprogramming your fob yourself if you're only missing the shank on the key and you have a working replacement fob, but it could be time-consuming and laborious. You're better off contacting a dealer when you've lost the fob and the key.
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 a dealer. auto key replacement operate by a proximity sensor or a door opener with a spring loaded mechanism.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the past 10 years or so, you're likely to use a transponder key system. These keys have a microchip within the key itself and a receiver in your car that both have been programmed to communicate with each other in order to start the car.
Transponder keys are an effective method of preventing theft, as they require two components to start a car - the transmitter inside the key, and the receiver connected to the immobilizer. Without both the key and the immobilizer system present, the car will not start and it is not possible to connect hotwire.
Key chips have a unique serial number for your vehicle. The serial number of the key is sent to the immobilizer in the car and checked to match. If it does then the engine will begin. The only thing that could stop this security feature is a device that can detect the chip and match it to another car.
When you have a transponder key replaced it is necessary to visit an locksmith with the equipment needed to reprogram the key to your car. Some car dealerships offer this service, however their overhead makes them more expensive than a locksmith who is independent.
It can be difficult to obtain a new key with chip. The key needs to be cut using a specific machine in order to have the correct tracks in place that can be programmed to assign the key to your car. This requires specific software and the right key cutter to be done correctly.
Some of the less complicated chip keys can be cloned at most auto part stores, but you must be aware of the serial number of the original key to ensure the correct information is encoded into the new key. Many people make the mistake of going to their dealer in search of an exact copy of a chip key only to end up paying high prices.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys are also known as sidewinder key because of the distinctive winding cut on the key shank. They provide an additional layer of security to your car. Keys like these are a great protection against auto theft since they require special equipment to duplicate.
Like transponder keys. They have built-in chips that block unauthorised copies of keys from getting into your vehicle. They have a unique number that must be programmed into your car to unlock it and start it. This additional level of security is a fantastic way to protect your investment and deter thieves who may be trying to steal your car for parts or sell it to.
Laser-cut keys differ slightly from mechanically cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves carved out on the key. The key shaft is also thicker, which is another sign that this is not a standard car key. Locksmiths typically use a machine called a milling tool to cut these types of keys. This kind of machine appears similar to a drill bit and is designed to remove metal at very precise, controlled angles.
These are among the most secure keys you can purchase for your vehicle, since they're extremely difficult to duplicate and can only be cut by the locksmith who is a certified dealer. Unlike traditional keys, they're made from a small piece of steel which is shaped into a code and then cut with a laser at the factory. This type of key is extremely durable and can be able to withstand many years of wear and tear and is one of the best options for protecting your car.
Depending on the key, it can either fold into the fob or pop out at the touch of the button. These keys are used in German cars, and provide an extra layer of protection against car thieves. The cylinder is also very resistant to breaking into, making it very difficult for a thief pick or pick-lock the car.
Smart Keys
Smart keys communicate with the vehicle by using radio-frequency identification (RFID) instead of the traditional single piece of carved metal. 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 key, it sends a signal to your car's onboard computer. The computer then will prompt the appropriate frequency to allow you to start your vehicle.
The chip in the smart key has several security features that protect it from theft. First, the key emits a very low-frequency signal that can't be detected by any other receiver, not even 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 recognize. This stops a cyber-savvy criminal from using an external generator to "fool" the system and make the key work for other vehicles.
In addition to locking and starting the car, some smart keys also have additional functions such as storing particular driver preferences remote opening windows or the sunroof, and more. This can be accomplished by activating the key's proximity sensor by pressing a button on the key itself or, in certain cases, twisting a small metal piece inside the key.
The majority of these key fobs feature an unlock button that opens the doors for themselves, but some have an additional method to open them with a slot or by placing the dead key in a spot on the dashboard, where it houses an inductive coil that is able to transfer energy. Some even include an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade concealed in the key to enable this.
To replace a smart key, you'll need visiting a dealer, who can either request the replacement or have it in stock. They'll also have to program the new key to recognize your vehicle. However, you can also go to a locksmith shop to have your replacement key fob programmed and replaced. Locksmiths will cost more than a dealer, however, they can do the job faster and cheaper.