The History Of Ignition Key Replacement In 10 Milestones
Types of Ignition Key Replacement
The most basic type of car key is the blade style that you insert into the ignition lock cylinder to begin your vehicle. These keys are commonly used in older cars, but the latest models come with transponder chips that must be programmed into the car in order to work.
You can typically get these keys replaced at an auto dealership or locksmith. They can provide a replacement using your car's VIN number.
Transponder Keys
If your car was built in the last 20 years, it's a guarantee that it has a transponder chip embedded inside. This technology is a combination of mechanical security and electronic security. It sends a coded message to the vehicle when you insert the ignition key. The engine control unit checks the code against its own database to determine if you are the authorized owner of the vehicle. If it is, then the car will begin. The process happens in milliseconds, and is not visible to the naked eye.
If you have a transponder-type key, you'll be able to see an electronic chip that is small on the front of your key. Inserting the key into your ignition and turning it on is the most efficient method to test. If G28CarKeys responds, it indicates that the key is programmed and has been successfully verified as being a valid transponder key.
The reason for this additional layer of security is that the traditional keys rely on matching the lock tumblers, transponder chips actually transmit an electronic signal to the car's computer. This is a way to prevent individuals from hot-wiring their car by making sure the right key is used.
To reprogram a transponder keys it is necessary to follow a few simple steps. First, make sure that the key is working before putting it away. Then, sit in your driver's chair and insert your new blank key into the ignition and turn it on. After approximately 15 minutes, turn off the ignition. After that, you are able to try starting the car again. If it isn't starting, then you will need to repeat the process of turning off and on the car.
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 car key programmer is required to decode the code and then match it to a transponder that is new.
Smart Keys Keys
Smart keys allow drivers to unlock doors and start engines by pressing a button without the need to put the key in the ignition. The fob is equipped with a transponder that communicates with an immobilizer in the car, disarming it so that the car can be started. The fob has remote control buttons that open the tailgate, unlock the trunk and operate the door locks. Some include the panic button, which, when activated, loudly blasts the vehicle's sound to scare off intruders.
Like all technologies, smart keys have their advantages and drawbacks. They can provide convenience and enhanced security particularly for those who often forget to lock their car. These features can also help save money over the long term.
In addition to stopping thieves from taking your car away, smart keys can help you avoid the old phrase "it's there somewhere." In contrast to 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. Therefore, they cannot be duplicated with a traditional key cut. However, this doesn't mean you won't be able to locate the key in case it's lost.
Depending on the manufacturer, smart keys may be more expensive than traditional groove cut keys. This is mainly because they come with built-in electronics, making them more complex and difficult to repair if something goes wrong.
Pop-A Lock can replace and program smart keys for less than what your dealership would charge. We can even do it in a much less timeframe, which will save you the hassle of having to plan alternative transportation until your vehicle is repaired. So, if you're considering buying a smart key to your vehicle consider doing yourself a favor and buy a spare fob to keep in a secure place, or consider motor insurance that will have a large pay out should 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 the signal and steal your car, according to How Stuff Works Electronics.
Switchblade Keys
When it comes to ignition key replacement there are a number of alternatives available. The traditional key is the most commonly used one, and has a metal shaft that features distinct cutouts or notches that correspond to lock tumblers on the ignition cylinder and door. They are not equipped with modern features like remote unlocking and keyless entry, however they are safe and simple to use.
Transponder keys on the other hand, represent an enormous leap forward in the field of automotive security technology. These keys have an electronic chip inside the head of the key that communicates with a receiver inside the vehicle and allows it to start only if the correct code is transmitted. This type of key has been very successful in reducing automotive theft and the process of programming a new key with a transponder is relatively simple for an experienced car locksmith.
Another type of key is the flip-style that tucks the key blade into an enclosure when not in use. This will protect the blade of the key from being damaged and makes it easier to carry. This type of key features a key fob that includes remote control features. Drivers can lock and unlock car trunks, doors, or even start their engines from a distance.
Laser cut keys are available for those looking to add an extra security measure against auto theft. The shanks of these keys are cut by the help of a laser, resulting in a more precise and difficult to replicate pattern. While these keys are more expensive than standard key fobs and traditional keys but they also provide a greater level of security against theft by unauthorised users.
Additionally, there are switchesblade keys, which are similar to the bladed weapons that spawned the term "switchblade." These keys fold up into the shape of a key fob handle when they are not being used. When the user presses a button the handle opens and exposes the key blade as a switchblade knife would. Locksmiths can replace the key blade, or the key fob, of this kind of lock. However they cost more than standard replacements.
Smart keys are the most recent technological advancement in security for vehicles, offering a fully electronic method of unlocking and starting your vehicle. The keys communicate with the vehicle using antennas embedded in the car's frame and body, removing 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 are able to lock and start the car without being inserted in the ignition. However you must be in the range.
Key Fobs
Key fobs function as remotes that allow you to lock and start your car without touching the ignition. They are small, rectangular, and feature buttons that can be used for various functions. From locking the doors to remotely starting the car, they can be used for everything. They attach to the key via a small case made of plastic that may include buttons that open the trunk and trigger an alarm.
Some cars of recent years also have keys that can be combined to provide the 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 do not realize that they are using their key fobs to unlock their cars. These devices are an excellent way to make driving easier, but they also have some downsides.
The most obvious issue is that a key-fob can run out of battery. The electronic signals that unlock your vehicle and then start it operate by sending an electronic code to the car's computer therefore, when the signal is disrupted or is lost the key fob will not be in a position to operate the car.
Fortunately key fobs of today are designed to ward off such threats. They are typically programmed with a sequence of random numbers that can be used to generate unique unlocking sequences every time they transmit an alert to the car's system. This stops old codes from being used again and renders any stolen keys useless to thieves.
Key fobs can also serve as a backup option to unlock and start the car in the event that the key is misplaced. Some manufacturers go one step further and offer applications that can be used to control the vehicle in the event you cannot find your key fob.
A professional locksmith can help replace a lost key fob. They'll be able to assist you, and their services are likely to be cheaper than dealerships.