Types of Ignition Key Replacement
The most basic type of car key is the blade style that you insert into an ignition lock cylinder to begin your car. These keys are used in older vehicles, however the newer models have transponder chips that need to be programmed into your car to work.
You can usually replace these keys at an auto dealer or locksmith. They can make the replacement using your vehicle's VIN number.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are almost always found in vehicles manufactured in the last 20 years. This technology is a perfect blend of electronic and mechanical security. It works by sending a coded message to the vehicle every time you insert the key into the ignition. The engine control unit then examines this code against its internal database to determine whether or not you are the authorized owner of the vehicle. If you are, the car will begin. The process is not visible and takes only milliseconds.
If you own a transponder key, you will be able to detect a small electronic chip on the front of your key. The easiest way to test it is to insert the key into the ignition and turn it on. If your car responds, it indicates that the key is programmed and successfully verified as being a valid transponder key.
The reason this provides an extra layer of security is because traditional keys depend on the lock tumblers to match transponder chips actually transmit an electronic signal to the car's computer. This can stop individuals from hot-wiring vehicles by ensuring that the right key is used to turn on the ignition system.
Follow these simple instructions to reprogram the transponder. First, ensure that the key is working and then put it aside. Then, sit in your driver's seat and insert the new blank key into the ignition and turn it to the on position. After about 15 minutes, turn off the ignition. Then, you can try to start the car again. If it isn't starting then you'll have to repeat the procedure of turning off and turning on the car.
Reprogramming a car key with a transponder is more complex and expensive than replicating mechanical keys. In addition, you will require the key professionally cut and a specific car key programer is needed to remove the code from your ECM and match it with a new transponder key.
Smart Keys
Smart keys allow drivers to unlock doors and start engines by pressing a button without having to put the key in the ignition. The fob contains an RFID chip that communicates with an immobilizer inside the car, disarming it so that the car can begin. The fob is usually equipped with remote control buttons that control door locks, open the trunk, and open the tailgates. Some include panic buttons that when pressed, blasts the vehicle's horn in order to scare off intruders.
Like all technologies, smart keys have their advantages and disadvantages. However, they can provide greater security and ease of use - particularly for those who have the tendency to forget to lock their car. These features can help you save money over time.
In addition to stopping thieves from taking your car away smart keys can also help you avoid the old phrase "it's there somewhere." Unlike traditional groove cut keys which require a metal key shaft to unlock and start the vehicle, smart keys use radio frequency signals to communicate with your vehicle. As such, they can't be duplicated using a traditional key cut. However, this doesn't mean you can't find the key in the event that it is lost.
Smart keys can be more expensive, depending on the manufacturer. This is due to the fact that they have built-in electronics which make them more complex and difficult to repair in the event that something goes wrong.
Pop-A-Lock can replace and program smart keys at less than what your dealer would charge. We can do it in a fraction of the time, saving you from needing to arrange for alternative transportation while your vehicle is being repaired. If you're thinking of getting a smart key for your car consider doing yourself a favor and purchase a spare fob to keep in a secure place, or invest in motor insurance that has a substantial pay out should you lose your keys. Just make sure you keep it away from the eyes of anyone who might be watching - low frequency transmissions can permit someone to detect your signal and steal your car, according to How Stuff Works Electronics.
Switchblade Keys
When it is time to replace the ignition key there are several different options to choose from. The traditional key is the most common one, and it comes with an iron shaft with distinct cutouts or notches that correspond to tumblers for the lock in the door and ignition cylinder. They do not have modern features like remote unlocking and keyless entry, but are reliable and easy-to-use.
Transponder keys on the other hand, are a significant leap forward in automotive security technology. car ignition key replacement are equipped with an electronic chip that communicates with the receiver in the vehicle. The vehicle will only start when the proper code has been transmitted. This type of key has proven effective in reducing the theft of vehicles and programming a new key and transponder is quite easy for a skilled car locksmith.
Another kind of key is the flip-style that is designed to tuck the key blade inside the housing when not in use. This helps protect the blade of the key from being damaged, and makes it easier to carry. The key fob component of this kind of key usually has remote control features, which allow drivers to lock and unlock car doors or trunk, and start the engine remotely.
For those who are looking for a new layer of protection against automotive theft, laser cut keys are available. Lasers are used to cut the shanks of these keys, creating a pattern that is more difficult to duplicate. While these keys are more expensive than basic keys and traditional key fobs but they also provide more protection against theft by unauthorised users.
Switchblade keys are also available, which resemble bladed weapons and can fold down into a handle when not being used. The handle opens when the button is pressed, showing the blade of the key. Locksmiths can replace the key blade or the key fob of this kind of lock. However, they are more expensive than regular replacements.
Smart keys are the most recent technology in security for cars and offer a fully electronic system for unlocking and starting your car. They communicate with your vehicle through antennas embedded in the car frame and body. This eliminates the requirement for traditional keys blades and the need to insert the key into the ignition. Some of the most advanced models can lock and start the car without the key being inserted into the ignition. However you must be in range.
Key Fobs
Key fobs function as remotes that let you start and lock your vehicle without touching the ignition. They are usually small, rectangular and have buttons that perform a range of functions, ranging from locking the doors to remotely starting the car. They are attached to the car keys via a tiny plastic case that may include buttons to open the trunk or trigger an alarm.
Some cars of recent years also come with a combination key that provides the traditional key shank as well a key fob, with the latter typically controlling the ignition. These are also known as "transponder keys."
The majority of modern car owners don't realize that they use their key fobs to unlock their vehicles. These devices can be a great way to make driving more enjoyable however, they also have a few drawbacks.
The most obvious problem is that a key-fob can run out of battery. The electronic signals that unlock your car and start it work by sending an electronic code to the car's computer, so in the event that the signal is cut off or is lost the key fob will not be able to operate the car.
Luckily, the majority of modern key fobs are made to withstand these threats. They are often programmed to send random numbers to the car system every time they send out a signal. This stops old codes from being used again and renders any stolen keys useless for thieves.
Key fobs can be used as a backup device to unlock and start the car, if the key is somehow misplaced. Some manufacturers have even gone one step further by offering apps that can be downloaded onto a phone and used to control a vehicle in the event that you're not able to find your key fob.
If you have an old key fob that requires to be replaced, it's best to get in contact with an experienced locksmith. They can assist you, and their services tend to be less expensive than dealerships.