Types of Ignition Key Replacement
The blade style car key is the simplest to use. It's as simple as inserting it into your ignition lock cylinder, and you're ready to go. Older cars come with these kinds of keys however modern models incorporate transponder chips within the keys that must be programmed to work with your vehicle.
You can typically have these keys replaced at an auto dealer or locksmith. The VIN number of your vehicle can be used to create an entirely new key.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the last 20 years, there's certain that it contains a transponder chip in. It's a combination of mechanical security and electronic security. It works by sending a coded message to the vehicle after you insert the ignition key. The engine control unit compared this code against its internal database to determine if you're the authorized vehicle owner. If it is, the car will start. The process is invisible and takes milliseconds.
There will be a tiny chip on the front of your key if you have a transponder. Inserting the key in your ignition and turning it on is the simplest way to test. If your vehicle responds to the key this means that it was programmed and verified as a valid transponder.
The reason for this additional layer of security is that the traditional keys rely on matching the lock tumblers transponder chips transmit an electronic signal to the car's computer. This stops individuals from hot-wiring their car by ensuring the correct key is used.
To reprogram a transponder keys, you will need to follow some simple instructions. First, make sure that the key functions and then put it aside. Then, get in your driver's seat and insert your new blank key into the ignition, turning it to the on position. After about 15 minutes, switch off the ignition. After that, you can attempt to start the car once more. If it isn't starting then you'll need to repeat the procedure of turning off and on the car.
Reprogramming transponder keys is a bit more complex and costly than the process of duplicated a regular mechanical car key. Additionally, you'll need to have the key professionally cut and a specific car key programer is needed to remove the code from your ECM and then match it to the new transponder key.
Smart Keys Keys
With smart keys, a motorist can unlock their doors and start the engine by pressing a button, without having to insert the key into the ignition. The fob is equipped with a transponder that communicates with an immobilizer inside the car, disarming it so the car can be started. The fob has remote control buttons that open the tailgate, unlock the trunk and operate the door locks. Some have a panic switch that, when pressed blasts the horn of the vehicle in order to scare away intruders.
Like any technology, smart keys have their advantages and drawbacks. But they do offer enhanced security and ease of use - particularly for those with a tendency to forget to secure their vehicle. These features can help you save money over the course of time.
Smart keys are not only a great way to prevent thieves from stealing cars, but they can also aid you in avoiding the infamous phrase, "it's somewhere in here." Instead of using a traditional metal key shaft, smart keys communicate with your car via radio frequency signals. They are not duplicated using a traditional key. However, that doesn't mean that you can't locate the key if it does occur to be lost.
Smart keys can be more expensive depending on the manufacturer. The main reason is because smart keys have built-in electronic components, which makes them more complex and difficult to repair in the event of a malfunction.
Pop-A-Lock can replace and program smart keys at a fraction of what your dealership would charge. We can even do it in a shorter time frame, saving you the inconvenience of having to arrange for alternative transportation until your vehicle is fixed. If you're considering purchasing a smart car key, buy a spare to keep in a safe location or purchase motor covers that pay out if you lose your keys. Just make sure you keep it out of reach from prying eyes. Low frequency transmissions could let someone pick up your signal and take your car, as per How Stuff Works Electronics.
Switchblade Keys
When it is time to replace ignition keys there are several alternatives available. Traditional keys are the traditional standby, incorporating a metal shaft with distinct notches or cuts that correspond to lock tumblers within the door and ignition cylinder. They lack advanced features like remote unlocking or keyless entry, but they are reliable and easy to use.
Transponder keys represent a significant technological advancement in the field of automotive security. These keys have an electronic chip in the head of the key that communicates with a receiver inside the vehicle, allowing it to start only if the correct code is transmitted. This kind of key is very efficient in reducing automotive crime. The procedure of programming a transponder or key for an experienced locksmith is relatively easy.
Another kind of key is the flip-style, which tucks the blade of the key into an enclosure when not in use. This helps protect the blade of the key from damage, and makes it easier to carry. The key fob part of this kind of key typically includes remote control functions that allow drivers to lock and unlock the car doors or trunk and even start the engine remotely.
Laser cut keys are available to those who want to add an additional layer of security against auto theft. Lasers are used to cut the shanks of these keys, creating a pattern that is more difficult to duplicate. These keys are more expensive than traditional keys and key fobs, but they provide a higher degree of security.
Switchblade keys are also available, which resemble bladed weapons. They can fold up into a handle when not being used. When the user presses a button the handle snaps open and exposes the key blade just like a switchblade knife. Locksmiths can replace the key blade or the key fob in this kind of lock. However, they are more expensive than standard replacements.
Smart keys are the newest technology in security for cars. They provide a completely electronic system for unlocking and starting your car. The keys communicate with the vehicle using antennas that are inserted into the car's frame and body, removing the requirement for a traditional key blade, and the need to physically insert the key into the ignition cylinder. The most sophisticated models can be used to lock and start your car without having to be placed in the ignition, though this requires that you be within the range of the vehicle.
Key Fobs
Key fobs are essentially remotes for cars that permit you to lock and start your vehicle without ever having to touch the actual ignition. They are small, rectangular and have buttons that can be used for a variety of functions. From locking the doors to remotely starting your car, they can be used for everything. They attach to the key using small plastic cases that may include buttons that open the trunk and trigger an alarm.
Certain newer vehicles also have a combination key that provides the traditional key shank and an accessory key fob, with the latter typically controlling the ignition. These may also be referred to as"transponder key "transponder key."
Many modern-day car owners use their key fobs as a means of accessing their vehicle, and the majority of them don't even realize it. While these devices are great for enhancing the experience of driving, they also come with some drawbacks that should be considered.
The most obvious problem is that the battery in the key fob could fail. The electronic signals that unlock your vehicle and allow it to start work by sending a code to the computer in your car, so in the event that the signal is cut off or is lost the key fob won't be capable of operating the car.
Fortunately, fix ignition switch are made to be resilient against such threats. They are typically programmed to send random numbers to the car's system each time they transmit an alert. This prevents old codes from being reused and renders any keys stolen from the car useless to thieves.
A key fob could also be used as a backup device to unlock and start the car, in the event that your key is lost. Some manufacturers even go one step further by providing apps that can be used to control the car in the event that you are unable to find your key fob.
If you have an old key fob that requires to be replaced, you should contact a professional locksmith. They will be able to assist you and their services tend to be less expensive than dealerships.