How Ignition Key Replacement Has Changed My Life The Better
Types of Ignition Key Replacement
The blade style car key is the easiest 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, but newer models use transponder chips inside the keys that must be programmed to work with your car.
You can typically have these keys replaced at an auto dealership or locksmith. They can make the replacement using your vehicle's VIN number.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips can be found in vehicles manufactured within the last 20-years. This technology is a blend of electronic and mechanical security. It works by sending a coded message to the vehicle after you insert the ignition key. The engine control unit checks this code with its own database to determine if you're the authorized owner of the vehicle. If it is, then the car will start. The process takes place in milliseconds and is invisible to the naked eye.
You'll see a tiny chip on the front of your key if you have transponder. Inserting the key in your ignition and turning it on is the simplest way to test. If your vehicle responds, that means that the key has been programmed and successfully verified as a genuine transponder key.
The reason for this extra layer of security is because while traditional keys rely on the lock tumblers to match transponder chips send an electronic signal to the car's computer. This prevents people from hot-wiring their cars by ensuring the right key is used.
To reprogram a transponder key it is necessary to follow a few simple steps. First, ensure the key is in good working state and put it away. Then, insert the blank key into the ignition and turn the key to the "on" position. You should leave it for about 15 minutes, and then turn the ignition off. After 15 minutes, you can then try to start the car again. If the car does not start after switching it off and on, you will have repeat the process.
Reprogramming a car key with a transponder is more complicated and expensive than replicating the mechanical key. You will also need to have your key professionally cut and a key programmer is needed to take the code and then match it to a new transponder.
Smart Keys Keys
Smart keys let drivers unlock doors and start engines by pressing a button, without having to put the key in the ignition. Inside the fob is a transponder chip that communicates with the vehicle's immobilizer and disarms it to allow the car to start. The fob typically has remote control function buttons that control door locks, unlock the trunk and open tailgates. Some have a panic button that, when activated, loudly blasts the vehicle's sound to repel intruders.
Smart keys are no different. They come with their advantages and disadvantages, just as any other technology. They offer convenience and enhanced security particularly for those who tend to forget to lock their vehicle. These features can also save you money over the long term.
Smart keys are not only a great way to prevent thieves from stealing cars, but they can also assist you in avoiding the old 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 aren't duplicated by traditional keys. However, this doesn't mean you cannot find the key in case it gets lost.
Depending on the manufacturer, smart keys could be more expensive than traditional groove cut keys based on the manufacturer. The main reason is that smart keys have built-in electronic components, making them more complex and difficult to repair in the event of malfunction.
Luckily, Pop-A-Lock is able to replace and program the majority of smart keys at a fraction of the cost of a dealership. We can do it in a fraction of the time, saving you from having to arrange alternative transportation while your vehicle is being repaired. If you're thinking of purchasing a smart car key, buy one spare to keep in a safe location or purchase a motor cover that pays out if you lose your keys. Be sure to keep it away from the eyes of anyone who might be watching - low frequency transmissions can let someone pick up your signal and take your car, as per How Stuff Works Electronics.
Switchblade Keys
When it is time to replace the ignition key, there are a few different options available. The traditional key is the most commonly used one, and has a metal shaft that features distinct notches or cutouts that correspond with lock tumblers in the door and ignition cylinder. They aren't equipped with advanced features, such as remote unlocking or keyless entry however they are reliable and simple to use.
Transponder keys, on other hand, represent an enormous leap forward in the field of automotive security technology. They are equipped with an electronic chip that communicates with the receiver in the vehicle. The vehicle will only start when the correct code has been sent. This type of key is extremely effective in reducing the amount of crime committed by automobiles. The procedure of programming a transponder and key for an experienced locksmith is relatively simple.
Flip-style keys are a type of key that folds away the blade when not when not in use. This protects the blade of the key from damage, and makes it easier to carry. The key fob part of this type of key typically includes remote control functions that allow users to lock and unlock trunk or doors of their car and start the engine remotely.
Laser cut keys are offered for those looking to add an extra security measure against auto theft. Lasers are used to cut the shanks of these keys, creating patterns that are more difficult to duplicate. While these keys are more expensive than standard key fobs and traditional keys, they also offer an increased level of protection against theft by unauthorised users.
Finally, there are switchblade keys, which resemble the bladed weapons that spawned the term "switchblade." These keys fold up into the shape of a key fob handle when not in use. The handle opens when the button is pressed, which exposes the blade of the key. Locksmiths can replace the key blade or key fob portion of this type of key, however, they're a bit more costly than basic replacements.
Smart keys are the most recent technological advancement in security for vehicles that provides a completely electronic method of unlocking and starting your car. The keys communicate with your vehicle via antennas embedded in the car's body and frame, eliminating the need for a traditional key blade, and the need to physically insert the key into the ignition cylinder. The most sophisticated models even have the ability to lock and start your car without having to be inserted into the ignition at all however this requires you be within the range of the vehicle.
Key Fobs
Key fobs are basically remotes for cars that allow you to lock and start your vehicle without needing to touch the ignition. They are typically small and rectangular, and have buttons that can perform a variety of functions, ranging from locking the doors to remotely starting the vehicle. They are attached to the car key via a tiny plastic case which may also have buttons to open the trunk or activate an alarm.
Some newer cars also come with a combination key that provides both a traditional key shank as well as an accessory key fob, with the latter typically controlling the ignition. They are also referred to as "transponder keys."
Many modern car owners utilize their keys as a way to access their vehicle, and the majority of them don't even realize that they are doing it. While these devices are fantastic for enhancing the experience of driving however, they have some drawbacks that should be taken into consideration.
The most obvious issue is that the battery of the key fob may die. The electronic signals that unlock your vehicle and allow it to start work by sending a code to the car's computer and if the signal is interrupted or is lost the key fob will not be able to operate the car.
Fortunately, most modern key fobs are built to withstand these threats. They are typically programmed to send random numbers to the car system each time they transmit an alert. This prevents old codes from being used again and renders stolen keys useless for thieves.
fix car ignition can be used as a backup device to unlock and start the car in the event that your key is misplaced. Some manufacturers have gone one step further and offer apps that can be downloaded to phones and used to control a vehicle in the event that you're unable to find your key fob.
If you have a key fob that has to be replaced, it is recommended to get in contact with an experienced locksmith. They can help you out, and their services tend to be less expensive than a dealership.