Keys Replacement For Cars
You can buy an alternative key for a mechanical key in any hardware store. The key needs to be programmed either by a locksmith or dealer.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a visit to a car dealer to be paired with your car. These types of keys are typically expensive but some insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still purchase car keys that are solely mechanical, like the ones you insert into an ignition lock cylinder and then turn to start your vehicle. If your vehicle is equipped with one of these, it's relatively affordable to replace the key and fob (if lost or stolen).
A locksmith can make an entry level key for you at a lower cost than what you would pay in the dealership. You could also ask a neighbor or friend who knows how to program transponder keys for aftermarket use (which are cheaper than the keys that are factory-made) to make you a spare key and have it programmed. It is crucial to have a spare key because modern vehicles won't start if the key does not have the correct chip.
Transponder keys appear like mechanical keys, but they have a hidden electronic chip embedded in the bottom of their plastic form that communicates with your vehicle's computer system. The car will accept the code that is on the chip, but it will not start if you try to use another code.
If your spare key has chips, you'll have to take it to a dealership to get it programmed. They'll require a specific machine to cut the key and program it. These machines are available only at specific dealerships, and it is unlikely that a locksmith have the equipment needed to make a key using transponder.
It's expensive to replace keys with remotes, especially if you require a spare. You can try reprogramming your fob yourself if you're only missing the shank of the key and have a functional replacement fob, but it could be difficult and time-consuming. If you've lost the entire fob and key, however, a dealer is your best bet.
There are different kinds of car keys that require a more specialized set of skills to replace, for example flip keys and smart keys. They're more complicated and need to be replaced by a dealer. Key fobs can be operated by a proximity sensor or a door opener that is spring-loaded.
Transponder Keys
If your car is built in the last 10 years or so it's likely to use a transponder key system. These keys contain an embedded microchip and an electronic receiver that is programmed to send a signal to start your car.
Transponder keys can be an effective method of preventing theft, as they require two elements to start the car: the transmitter contained in the key and the receiver attached to the immobilizer. Without both the key and the immobilizer system being in place, the car won't start and it is not possible to hotwire.
These key chips are programmed with a serial number that is unique to the vehicle you own. When the key is inserted into the ignition, the serial number is then sent to the cars immobilizer and verified that it is in line, it will then allow the engine to run. This security feature is only defeated by a special device that reads the chip and match it with a different car.
You'll need to find a locksmith who has the tools to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships also offer this service, however their overhead makes them more expensive than a locksmith who is independent.
It can be difficult to find an entirely new key that has a chip. To program your car, the key has to be programmed using a specific machine. This requires special software and the correct key cutter to do it correctly.
Some of the simpler chip keys can be copied at a variety of auto parts stores but you must know the serial number of the original key to ensure that the correct information is transferred to the new key. Many people make the error of visiting their dealer to have their chip key copied and end up paying more than they need to.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys, referred to as sidewinder keys due to their distinctive winding cuts to the shank of the key, add an extra layer of security to your vehicle. Because it takes specialized machinery to duplicate these keys, they're an excellent security measure against auto theft.
They also have built-in chips to stop unauthorized key copying from starting your car. auto key replacement contain a unique code the key, which must be programmed to your specific vehicle to unlock and start it. This extra layer of security will protect your investment, and deter thieves from attempting to steal your vehicle for parts or to resell it.
Laser-cut keys differ from mechanically-cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves carved out on the key. The key shaft is also larger, which is a sign that this is not a standard car key. Locksmiths typically make use of milling tool to cut these types of keys. This type of machine looks like a drill and is designed to cut metal at extremely precise controlled angles.
They're among the most secure keys you can purchase for your vehicle, since they're extremely difficult to duplicate and can only be cut by a dealer or a licensed locksmith. They're not created using traditional keys. Instead, they're made from a small piece steel that's shaped according into a specific code at the factory, and then cut with a laser. This kind of key is able to endure a lot of wear and tear and is one of the best options for protecting your vehicle.
The key can be folded into the fob, or be removed by pressing the button. Keys like these are commonly used in German cars and offer an additional layer of protection against car thieves. They also make it very difficult for thieves to pick your vehicle or pick-lock it, as the cylinder is extremely durable and is difficult to break.
Smart Keys Keys
Contrary to the conventional single piece of carved metal, smart keys make use of RFID, also known as radio-frequency identification for short, to communicate with the car. They have a chip with an individual code, which is encoded on every key. The key sends a signal to the onboard computer in your vehicle each time you unlock the doors or open the trunk. The computer then prompts the appropriate frequency which allows you to open your car and begin it.
The smart key's chip also comes with a variety of security features to guard against theft. The key emits an extremely low-frequency signal, which will only be detected by your vehicle. If the computer onboard detects this signal it will transmit a different one which is a unique code that only your car is able to understand. This will stop a criminal with a high-tech background from using an external pulse generator to "fool" the system and perform the work for other vehicles.
Some smart keys offer specific features, like saving preferences for drivers remote opening windows, opening the sunroof remotely, and many more. These are accomplished by activating the key's proximity sensor, pressing a button on the key or, in certain instances, by twisting a tiny metal component inside the key.
Most key fobs feature an unlock button that opens the doors on their own however some come with another method of opening them with a slot or by placing the dead key in a spot on the dashboard, where it is able to hold an inductive coil that is able to transfer energy. Some key fobs feature a mechanical (fully emergency) key blade inside the key.
To replace a smart key, you'll need an appointment with a dealer, who can either order the replacement or stock it. The dealer will also need to program the new key so that it recognizes your car. You can also go to a locksmith for your replacement key fob to be programmed and replaced. Locksmiths will cost more than a dealer but they will do the job quicker and for less.