Types of Ignition Key Replacement
The simplest kind of car key is the blade type that you insert into an ignition lock cylinder in order to start your car. Keys like this are typically used in older vehicles, however modern models feature transponder chips that must be programmed into the car in order to work.
You can typically have these keys replaced at a dealership or an automotive locksmith. They can create a replacement using your car's VIN number.
Transponder Keys
If your car was made in the past 20 years, there's a guarantee that it contains a transponder chip inside. This technology is a perfect combination of mechanical and electronic security. It works by sending a coded message to the vehicle when you put the key in the ignition. The engine control unit then compares this code with its own database to determine if you are the owner of the vehicle. If you are then, the car will start. The process happens in milliseconds and is unnoticeable to the naked eye.
If you have a transponder-type key, you'll be able to see tiny electronic chips on the surface of your key. Inserting the key into your ignition and turning it on is the most efficient way to test. If your car responds to the key it means it was programmed and verified as an authentic transponder.
The reason this adds an additional layer of security is because while traditional keys rely on matching the lock tumblers transponder chips send an electronic signal to the car's computer. This prevents people from hot-wiring their vehicles by ensuring that the right key is used.
To reprogram a transponder device it is necessary to follow some simple instructions. First, verify that the key functions and then put it aside. Next, sit in your driver's chair and insert the new key blank into the ignition, turning it to the on position. You should leave it for about 15 minutes, then turn off the ignition. After 15 minutes, you can attempt to start the car once more. If it fails to start then you'll need to repeat the procedure of turning off and turning on the car.
Reprogramming a transponder car key is more difficult and costly than replicating the mechanical key. You'll also need to have your key professionally cut and a key programmer is required to take the code and match it to a new transponder.
Smart Keys
With smart keys, a motorist can open their doors and start the engine by pressing a button without having to insert the key into the ignition. The fob contains a transponder that communicates with an immobilizer in the vehicle, disarming it to ensure that the car can be started. The fob is usually equipped with remote control buttons that control the door locks, unlock the trunk, and open the tailgates. Some also have a panic button that, when pressed, blasts the horn of the vehicle to deter intruders.
Like all technologies, smart keys have advantages and drawbacks. But they do offer enhanced security and ease of use - particularly for those with a tendency to forget to lock the car. These features also can save you money in the long run.
In addition to stopping thieves from taking your car away smart keys can also assist you in avoiding the age-old phrase "it's there somewhere." Unlike traditional groove cut keys which require a key shaft made of metal to unlock and start your car, smart keys utilize radio frequency signals to communicate with your vehicle. They aren't duplicated by the traditional key. However, this does not mean that you won't be able to find the key if it should occur to be lost.
Depending on the manufacturer, smart keys can be more expensive than traditional groove cut keys based on the manufacturer. The main reason is that smart keys are equipped with electronic components, which make them more complicated and difficult to fix in the event of malfunction.
Pop-A Lock can replace and program smart keys for a fraction of what your dealership would charge. We can even complete the process in a shorter time frame, saving you the hassle of having to plan alternative transportation until your car is repaired. If you're thinking of purchasing a smart car key, purchase a spare to keep in a secure place or invest in motor cover that will pay out in the event of losing your keys. Just make sure you keep it away from prying eyes - low frequency transmissions could allow someone to pick up your signal and steal your car, according to How Stuff Works Electronics.
Switchblade Keys
When it is time to replace ignition keys there are a number of different options available. Traditional keys are the traditional standard, which has a steel shaft with distinct cuts or notches that correspond to the lock tumblers inside the door and the ignition cylinder. They aren't equipped with advanced features, such as remote unlocking or keyless entry but they are reliable and simple to use.
Transponder keys represent a significant advance in automotive security technology. These keys feature an electronic chip inside the head of the key that communicates with a receiver inside the vehicle and allows it to start only when the correct code is transmitted. This type of key is very effective in reducing the amount of crime committed by automobiles. The process of programming a transponder and key for a locksmith who is experienced is fairly simple.
Flip-style keys are a different kind of key that folds away the blade when not when not in use. This helps to protect the blade from damage and also reduces weight for easier carrying. The key fob portion of this kind of key typically includes remote control functions that allow users to lock and unlock the car doors or trunk, and start the engine remotely.
If you are seeking an additional layer of protection against automotive theft, the laser cut key is available. Lasers are used to cut the shanks of these keys, forming patterns that are difficult to duplicate. Although these keys are more expensive than basic keys and traditional key fobs however, they provide a greater level of security against theft by unauthorized users.
Finally, there are G28CarKeys , which resemble the bladed weapons that helped popularize the term "switchblade." These keys fold up into the shape of a key fob handle when they are not in use. When the user presses a button, the handle snaps open and exposes the key blade just as a switchblade knife would. Locksmiths can replace the key blade or the key fob, of this kind of lock. However they are more expensive than standard replacements.
Smart keys are the newest technology in security for cars and offer a fully electronic method of unlocking and starting your car. These keys communicate with your vehicle via antennas embedded in the car's frame and body, eliminating the requirement for a traditional key blade and the requirement to physically insert the key into the ignition cylinder. Some of the most advanced models can even lock and start the car without the key being inserted in the ignition. However, you must be within range.
Key Fobs
Key fobs are essentially remotes for cars that allow you to lock and start your vehicle without ever needing to touch the ignition. They are typically small and rectangular and have buttons that serve a variety of functions, ranging from locking the doors to remotely starting the vehicle. They attach to the car key using tiny plastic cases that could also include buttons to open the trunk or activate an alarm.
Some of the latest vehicles also include a combination key, which combines a traditional key shank with an electronic key fob. This is typically used to control the ignition. They can also be called a "transponder key."
Many modern car owners do not know that they use their key fobs to unlock their cars. While these devices are fantastic for enhancing the experience of driving however, they have some drawbacks that should be considered.
The most obvious problem is that a key fob could be unable to charge. The electronic signals that unlock your vehicle and allow it to start work by sending an electronic code to the car's computer therefore, in the event that the signal is cut off or is lost, the key fob won't be capable of operating the car.
Fortunately, modern key fobs have been designed to deter such threats. They are typically programmed to send random numbers to the car system each time they send out an alert. This stops old codes from being reused and renders stolen keys useless to thieves.
Key fobs can also serve as a backup method to unlock and start the car, in the event that your key is lost. Some manufacturers go one step further by providing applications that allow you to control the car in the event that you fail to find your key fob.
A professional locksmith can help replace a lost key fob. They can assist you and their services are typically less expensive than those offered by a dealership.