Keys Replacement For Cars
You can purchase a replacement key for a mechanical key at any hardware shop. This key will need to be programmed either by a locksmith or dealer.
Smart keys are more complex and require a visit to a dealer for the keys to be paired with your car. They can be expensive however, many insurance companies will pay for the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still buy car keys that are solely mechanical, such as the ones you insert into an ignition lock cylinder, and turn to start your car. If your car is equipped with one of these keys, replacing the fob and key is relatively cheap (if they are lost or stolen).
A locksmith can cut the basic key for you at a cheaper cost than what you'd buy from the dealership. You can also ask a neighbor or friend who knows how to program transponder keys aftermarket (which are less expensive than keys made by the factory) to make you a spare key and then program it. It is important to have a spare key since modern vehicles won't start in the event that the key does have the proper chip.
car key replacement near me resemble mechanical keys but contain an electronic chip in the base. This chip communicates with the computer system in your car. Your vehicle will recognize the code in the chip and accept it, but it will refuse to start if a different code is used.
If your spare key has chips, it will need to be programmed at a dealership. They'll require a special machine to both cut the key and then program it. These machines are only available at specific dealerships, and it is unlikely that a locksmith would have the equipment necessary to create a key that has transponder.
It is expensive to replace keys using remotes, especially if require an extra. You can try reprogramming your fob yourself if you're only missing the shank on the key and you have a functioning replacement fob, but it can be difficult and time-consuming. If you've lost the entire fob and the key however, a dealer is your best bet.
Other kinds of keys for cars require more specialized skills to replace. This includes flip keys and smart keys. These are more complicated and need to be replaced by the dealer. Some key fobs are operated by proximity sensors or a door opener with a spring loaded mechanism.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the recent 10 years or so it's likely to have transponder keys. The keys have a microchip and an electronic receiver that is programmed to send a signal to start your vehicle.
Transponder keys are an excellent method of preventing theft, since they require two components to start the car - the transmitter in the key, and the receiver connected to the immobilizer. Without both the key and the immobilizer device present, the car will not start and it will be impossible to hotwire.
These key chips have an unique serial number that is specific to your vehicle. When the key is inserted into the ignition, the serial number is transmitted to the immobilizer in the car and verified that it matches up the number, which allows the engine to start. This security feature is only defeated by a special device which can read the chip to match it to another vehicle.
If you need a transponder-related key replaced you'll need to go to an locksmith with the equipment needed to reprogram the key to your vehicle. Some car dealerships also offer this service, but their overhead makes them more expensive than a locksmith who is independent.
It can be difficult to obtain an original key that comes with chip. To program your car, the key has to be programmed on a specific machine. It requires specialized software as well as the appropriate key cutter to do the job properly.
Many auto parts stores are able to copy some of the less complicated keys for chips, but you'll need to be aware of the serial number of the original key in order to ensure that the correct data is incorporated into the key. Many people make a mistake by going to their dealer in search of the clone of a chip key only to end up paying inflated prices.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys, also known as sidewinder keys due their distinctive winding cuts in the key shank they add a layer of security to your vehicle. Because it takes specialized machinery to duplicate these keys, they're a great protection against auto theft.
They also have built-in chips that prevent unauthorized key copying from starting your car. They have a unique number that must be programmed into your car in order to unlock it and begin it. This extra layer of security is a great method to safeguard your investment and deter thieves who could be trying to steal your vehicle to make parts or sell it on.
Keys cut with lasers differ slightly from mechanically cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves cut on the key. They also have a more robust key shaft that is an indication that it's not your typical car key. Locksmiths usually employ a milling machine to cut these keys. This kind of machine appears like a drill and is designed to remove metal at very precise and controlled angles.
These are the most secure keys you can purchase for your vehicle. They are difficult to duplicate and can only be done be cut by a licensed locksmith or dealer. They're not created using traditional keys. Instead, they're constructed from a small piece of steel that is cut into a specific code at the factory, and then cut using a laser. This type of key is able to be able to withstand a great deal of wear and tear and is among the best options for protecting your vehicle.
The key can be folded in the fob, or it can pop out by pressing the button. These kinds of keys are typically used in German cars and offer an additional layer of protection against car thieves. They also make it very difficult for a thief to pick or pick-lock your car because the cylinder is extremely rugged and is difficult to break.
Smart Keys
In contrast to the traditional single piece of metal, smart keys use RFID, or radio-frequency identification for short, to communicate with the car. This means they have a tiny chip that contains an encrypted code that is unique to each key. Whenever you unlock your car doors or pop the trunk, the key sends a signal to the car's onboard computer. The computer will then prompt the right frequency that allows you to start your car.
The chip of the smart key has several security features to protect it from theft. The key emits an extremely low-frequency signal, which can only be detected by your car. If the computer onboard detects this signal it will send a different one which is an exclusive code that only your vehicle can comprehend. This stops a cyber-savvy criminal from using an external pulse generator to "fool" the system and perform the work for other vehicles.
In addition to locking and starting the car, some smart keys have special features like storing specific driver preferences remote opening windows or the sunroof, and more. These can be done by activating the key fob's proximity sensor, pressing a button on the key itself or, in some cases, twisting a small metal component 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 even come with an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade concealed in the key to enable this.
Replacing a smart key usually requires a visit to the dealership, where they will either have the replacement in stock or purchase it for you. They'll also need to program the new key to recognize the car you are driving. You can also visit an locksmith to get your replacement key fob to be programmed and replaced. Locksmiths may charge more than a dealer, but they'll likely be able to finish the job more quickly and for less.