Keys Replacement For Cars
If you own a basic mechanical key you should be able to purchase a replacement from any hardware store for inexpensive. The key must be programmed either by a dealership or locksmith.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a trip to the dealer to pair them with your vehicle. These types of keys are usually expensive, but some car insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
There are still car keys that are solely mechanical, like the ones you place in an ignition lock cylinder and turn to start your car. If your vehicle is equipped with one of these keys, it's cheap to replace the key and fob (if lost or stolen).
car key replacement can make you a new basic key for less than what you pay at a dealership. You can also ask a neighbor or a 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 then program it. It is important to have a spare key because modern cars will not start when the key does not have the proper chip.
Transponder keys resemble mechanical keys, but they have an electronic chip hidden inside the base. The chip communicates with the computer system in your car. Your car will recognize the code on the chip, but it will not start if you use another code.
If your spare key contains chips, it will need to be programmed at a dealership. You'll need a specific machine to cut the key and then program it. These machines are only available at specific dealerships, and it is unlikely that a locksmith have the equipment needed to create a key that has transponder.
Keys with remotes cost a lot to replace, especially if you need a spare. You can try reprogramming your fob by yourself if you're missing the shank of the key and have a functional replacement fob, but it could be time-consuming and difficult. If you've lost the entire key and fob but you're not sure you should seek out a dealer as the best option.
Other types of car keys require more special skills to replace. This includes flip keys as well as smart keys. They are more complicated and are usually replaced at the dealership. Some key fobs have an electronic key that folds into the enclosure and opens doors or is operated by a proximity sensor to open and start your vehicle.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the recent 10 years or so you're likely to use a transponder key system. The keys contain an embedded microchip inside the key itself as well as 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, since they require two components to start a car - the transmitter contained in the key and the receiver attached to the immobilizer. The car will not start without both the key and immobilizer system.
These key chips have an unique serial number that is specific to your vehicle. The serial number of the key is transmitted to the immobilizer in the car, and then checked to match. If it does then the engine will begin. This security feature is only defeated by a special device that can read the chip and match it with a different car.
You'll require an locksmith with the tools to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships also offer this service, but their overheads make them more expensive than an independent locksmith.
It isn't easy to find an original key that comes with chip. The key must first be cut using a particular machine to ensure that it has the proper tracks which can later be programmed to assign the key to your car. This requires special software and the correct key cutter to do it correctly.
Some of the less complicated chip keys can be cloned at most auto part stores, but you must know the serial number of the original key to ensure that the proper information is being transferred to the new key. Many people make the mistake of going to their dealer in search of the clone of a chip-key and end up paying inflated costs.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys are also known as a sidewinder key due to the distinctive winding cut on the key shank. They add an extra layer of security to your car. Because it takes specialized machinery to duplicate these keys, they're a great protection against auto theft.
Like transponder keys. They have embedded chips that stop unauthorized key copies from getting into your vehicle. They come with a unique code that must be programmed to your vehicle to unlock it and begin it. This extra layer of security is an excellent way to protect your investment and deter thieves who could be trying to steal your car to make parts or sell it on.
Laser-cut keys differ slightly from mechanically cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves carved out on the key. The shaft of the key is more substantial, which is another sign that this is not a regular car key. Locksmiths usually employ a milling machine to cut keys. This machine is similar to a drill, and it's designed to remove metal in very precise angles.
These are the most secure keys you can purchase for your vehicle. They are extremely difficult to duplicate and can only be cut by a certified locksmith or dealer. They're not made with traditional keys. Instead, they are constructed from a small piece of steel that's shaped according into a specific code at the factory, and then cut with the laser. This type of key is extremely robust and can stand up to a lot of wear and tear and is one of the best options to protect your vehicle.
The key can be folded in the fob, or pop out by pressing a button. These keys are used in German cars, and provide an extra layer of security against car thieves. They also make it extremely difficult for a thief to pick your vehicle or pick-lock it, as the cylinder is extremely rugged and is difficult to break.
Smart Keys Keys
Contrary to the conventional single piece of carved metal, smart keys use RFID, or radio-frequency identification for short, to communicate with the car. They come with a chip with an unique code that is encoded on each key. When you open your car's doors, or open the trunk the key sends a signal to your vehicle's computer onboard. The computer then will prompt the correct frequency to allow you to start your vehicle.
The chip of the smart key has several security features that protect it from theft. First the key emits a low-frequency signal that isn't picked up by any receiver but your car. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will transmit an additional signal that is unique and only your car can understand. This will stop a tech-savvy criminal from using a pulse generator in order to "fool the system" and do the key work on other vehicles.
Some smart keys offer special features, like the ability to store preferences for drivers remote opening windows, opening the sunroof via remote and many more. These functions can be accessed by activating the proximity sensor on the key fob, pressing a button or, in some cases, by twisting a small piece of metal inside the key.
Certain key fobs can be opened by placing the dead key in a slot or by placing it near an inductive coil that is located on the dashboard. Some key fobs have mechanical (fully emergency) key blade that is inside the key.
Replacing a smart lock requires visiting a dealer, who can either order the replacement or have it in stock. They'll also have to program the new key to recognize your vehicle. You can also go to an locksmith to get your replacement key fob to be programmed and replaced. A locksmith will charge more than dealers, but he or she can do the job faster and at a lower cost.