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 cheap. The key needs to be programmed either by a locksmith or dealer.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a visit to the dealer to pair them with your car. These kinds of keys are typically expensive, but some car insurance companies cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
There are still car keys that are only mechanical, like the ones you place in an ignition lock cylinder and then turn to start your vehicle. If your car has one of these, replacing the key and fob is fairly inexpensive (if they're lost or stolen).
A locksmith can cut the basic key for you at a lower cost than what you would pay in the dealership. You could also have a friend or neighbor that is proficient in programming transponder keys that are made for the aftermarket (which are less expensive than keys made by the factory) cut you a spare key and then program them. It is crucial to have a spare key since modern vehicles won't start in the event that the key does have the right chip.
Transponder keys appear like mechanical keys, but they contain a hidden electronic chip embedded in the bottom of their plastic form that communicates with the computer system in your vehicle. The car will accept the code that is on the chip, but it will not start if you choose another code.
If the spare key you have has chips, it will need to be programmed at a dealership. They'll require a special machine to both cut the key and program it. These machines are only available at specific dealerships, and it is unlikely that a locksmith will have the equipment necessary to create a key with transponder.
It's costly to replace keys using remotes, especially if require a spare. Try reprogramming the fob by yourself if you're missing the shank on the key and you have a functioning replacement fob, but it could be difficult and time-consuming. If car key replacements 've lost your entire fob and the key, however it's best to contact a dealer as the best option.
Other types of car keys require more specialized skills to replace. This includes flip keys and smart key. These are more complex and usually have to be replaced at the dealership. Some key fobs have a spring-loaded key that folds into the enclosure and opens a door, or they're operated with a proximity sensor to open and start your vehicle.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the past 10 years or so, it's likely to have a transponder key system. These keys contain the microchip as well as an electronic receiver that is programmed to communicate with start your car.
Transponder keys are a fantastic 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 immobilizer system.
Key chips have an unique serial number that is specific to your vehicle. The serial number of the key is transmitted to the immobilizer of the car, and then checked to match. If it does, the engine will start. The only thing that could defeat this security feature is a device that can detect the chip and match it with another car.
When you get a transponder key replaced it is necessary to visit an authorized locksmith who has the equipment needed to reprogram the key to your vehicle. Some car dealerships offer this service, but their overhead makes them more expensive than an independent locksmith.
It isn't easy to obtain an entirely new key that has chip. To program your car, the key must be programmed on a special machine. It requires specialized software as well as the appropriate key cutter to do the job correctly.
Most auto parts stores can clone some of the simpler keys for chips, but you'll need to know the serial number from the original key in order to ensure that the correct data is programmed into the key. Many people make the error of visiting their dealer to have a chip key copied, and end with a bill that is higher than what they should.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys are also referred as a sidewinder key due to the distinctive winding cut that is made on the key shank. They add an extra layer of security to your car. Keys like these are a great security measure against theft of your vehicle because they require specialized machinery to duplicate.
They also have built-in chips to prevent unauthorized key copying from starting your car. They have a unique code that must be programmed to your car in order to unlock it and begin it. This additional level of security will protect your investment, and deter thieves from attempting to steal your vehicle for parts or to sell it.
In terms of their design, laser-cut keys are slightly different from standard mechanical cut keys due to having smaller grooves that have been carved out of the key. The key shaft is also more substantial, which is another sign that this is not a standard car key. Locksmiths typically use milling machines to cut keys. This tool is similar to a drill bit, and it's designed to cut metal in very precise angles.
These are among the most secure keys you can get for your car, as they're extremely difficult to duplicate and only cut by a dealer or a licensed locksmith. They're not made with traditional keys. Instead, they're constructed from a small piece of steel that's shaped according to a code at the factory and then cut using laser. This kind of key is very durable and is able to endure many years of wear and tear and is one of the best options to protect your car.
The key can be folded up into the fob, or it can be released by pressing a button. These keys are used in German cars, and provide an extra layer of protection against car thieves. They also make it extremely difficult for thieves to pick or pick-lock your car because the cylinder is extremely durable and difficult to break into.
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. The key sends a signal 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 also includes a variety of security features that guard against theft. The key emits an extremely low-frequency signal, which will only be detected by your car. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will send another one that is a unique code that only your vehicle can 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 specific features, like storing driver preferences and opening windows remotely, or the sunroof from afar and many more. These features can be accessed by activating the proximity sensor on the key fob by pressing a button or, in some instances it is as simple as twisting a tiny piece of metal inside the key.
Some key fobs can be opened by holding the dead key in a slot, or by placing it in proximity to an inductive coil that is located on the dashboard. Some even include an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade that is hidden inside the key to enable this.
To replace a smart key, you'll need visiting a dealer, who will either request the replacement or have it on hand. They'll also have to program the new key to recognize your car. You can also go to an locksmith to get your replacement key fob to be programmed and then replaced. A locksmith might charge more than the dealer, but they'll likely be able to do the job more quickly and at a lower cost.