Types of Ignition Key Replacement
The blade style car key is the easiest to use. You simply insert it into your ignition lock cylinder and you're good to go. Older cars have these kinds of keys, but newer models use transponder chips inside the keys that must be programmed to work with your car.
Keys can be replaced by a dealer or a locksmith. The VIN number of your car can be used to create an entirely new key.
Transponder Keys
If your car was made in the past 20 years, it's certain that it has a transponder chip embedded within. This technology is a perfect combination of electronic and mechanical security. It operates by sending a coded signal to the vehicle whenever you put the key in the ignition. The engine control unit checks this code against its own database to determine if you are the legitimate owner of the vehicle. If you are, the car will start. The process happens in milliseconds and is unnoticeable to the naked eye.
If you have a transponder key, you'll be able to see tiny electronic chips on the front of your key. Inserting the key in your ignition and turning it on is the most efficient way to test. If your vehicle responds to the key, it means that it has been programmed and verified as a valid transponder.
The reason this adds an extra layer of security is that while traditional keys rely on the lock tumblers to match transponder chips actually send an electronic signal to the car's computer. This prevents individuals from hot-wiring their car by ensuring the correct key is used.
To reprogram a transponder device you must follow these simple steps. First, ensure the key is in working condition and then put it aside. Next, sit in your driver's seat and insert the new blank key into the ignition and turn it to the off position. After about 15 minutes, turn off the ignition. After that, you are able to try to start the car again. If the car doesn't start after turning it off and on, you will have to repeat the process.
The process of reprogramming a transponder key is more complicated and costly than making a duplicate of a regular mechanical car key. In addition, you will require the key professionally cut, and a special car key programr is needed to extract the code from your ECM and then match it to the new transponder key.
Smart Keys Keys
With smart keys, a motorist can open their doors and start their engine by pressing a button without needing to insert the key into the ignition. Inside the fob is an electronic transponder that communicates with the immobilizer of the car, disarming it to allow the car to start. The fob has remote control buttons that open the tailgate, unlock the trunk and control the door locks. Some include a panic switch which, when activated, blasts the horn of the vehicle to deter thieves.
Smart keys aren't any different. They have their pros and cons, just like any other technology. They can provide convenience and enhanced security particularly for those who frequently forget to lock their car. These features can also save you money over the long term.
In addition to preventing thieves from taking your car away, smart keys can help you avoid the old phrase "it's in here somewhere." In contrast to traditional groove cut keys, which require a real metal shaft to unlock and start the car, smart keys utilize radio frequency signals to communicate with your vehicle. They are therefore unable to be duplicated using a traditional key cut. However, this doesn't mean you won't be able to locate the key in the event that it's lost.
Smart keys can be more expensive, depending on the manufacturer. The reason for this is that smart keys are equipped with electronic components, making them more complex and harder to fix in the event of a malfunction.
Pop-A-Lock is able to replace and program smart keys at a fraction of what your dealership would charge. We can even complete the process in a much shorter timeframe, which will save you the hassle of having to arrange for alternative transportation until your vehicle is fixed. If you're thinking of buying a smart key to your vehicle consider doing yourself a favor and purchase a spare key to keep in a safe place, or consider motor insurance that will have a large payout in the event of losing your keys. Be sure to keep it out of reach from prying eyes. Low frequency transmissions could allow someone to pick up your signal and take your car, according to How Stuff Works Electronics.
Switchblade Keys
There are several options when changing the ignition key. The traditional key is the most commonly used one, and it comes with a steel shaft that has distinct notches or cutouts that correspond to tumblers for the lock in the ignition cylinder and door. They lack advanced features like remote unlocking or keyless entry, but they are reliable and simple to use.
Transponder keys are a major advancement in the field of automotive security technology. They have an electronic chip in the head of the key that communicates with a receiver in the vehicle and allows it to start only if the correct code is transmitted. This type of key has proven successful in reducing automotive theft and programming a new key with a transponder is relatively easy for a skilled car locksmith.
Flip-style keys are another type of key that tucks away the blade when not being used. This helps to protect the blade from damage and also reduces bulk for more convenient carrying. The key fob part of this kind of key usually comes with remote control functions that allow users to lock and unlock the trunk or car doors, and start the engine from a distance.
If you are looking for a new layer of protection against automotive theft, laser cut keys are available. The shanks of these keys are cut by a laser, creating a more precise and difficult to replicate pattern. These keys are more expensive than traditional keys and basic key fobs, however they provide a higher degree of security.
Additionally, there are switchblade keys that resemble the bladed weapons that helped popularize the term "switchblade." These keys fold up into an accessory handle for keys when they are not being used. car ignition lock opens when the button is pressed, revealing the blade of the key. Locksmiths can replace the key blade or the key fob, of this type of lock. However, they are more expensive than standard replacements.
Smart keys are the latest technology in security for cars that provides a completely electronic system for unlocking and starting your vehicle. These keys communicate with your vehicle through antennas embedded in the car frame and body. This eliminates the requirement for traditional key blades and the need to insert the key into the ignition. Some of the most advanced models can even start and lock the car without the key being inserted in the ignition. However you must be within the range of.
Key Fobs
Key fobs are essentially remotes for cars that permit you to lock and start the vehicle without having to touch the actual ignition. They are small, rectangular, and feature buttons for a variety of functions. From locking the doors to remotely starting the car, they can be used for everything. They are connected to the car key via small plastic cases that may include buttons to open the trunk or set off an alarm.
Some cars of recent years also come with a combination key that provides the traditional key shank as well as a key fob, with the latter typically controlling the ignition. These are also referred to as "transponder keys."
Many modern car owners utilize their keys to gain access to their vehicle, and a lot of them don't even realize that they are doing it. While these devices are great for making driving more convenient however, they have some downsides that should be taken into consideration.
The most obvious issue is that the battery in the key fob could die. The electronic signals that unlock your car and allow it to start work by sending a code to the car's computer therefore, when the signal is disrupted or is lost, the key fob won't be able to operate the car.
Fortunately, modern key fobs have been designed to resist these threats. They are typically programmed with a sequence of random numbers that can be used to generate unique unlocking sequences each time they send a signal to the car's system. This stops the old codes from being reused, and makes any key stolen unusable for thieves.
If the key is lost the key fob can serve as a backup device to start and unlock the vehicle. Some manufacturers have gone a step further and offer apps that can be downloaded to a phone and used to control a vehicle, in the event that you're unable to find your key fob.
A professional locksmith can help replace the lost key fob. They can help you out, and their services are likely to be more affordable than a dealership.