Types of Ignition Key Replacement
The car key with a blade is the easiest to use. Simply insert it into your ignition lock cylinder and you're good to go. Older cars come with these kinds of keys however modern models incorporate transponder chips within the keys that must be programmed to work with your vehicle.
Keys can be replaced by a dealer or an automotive locksmith. The VIN number of your car can be used to create a new key.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips can be found in vehicles manufactured in the last 20 years. This technology is a perfect combination of electronic and mechanical security. It works by sending a coded signal to the vehicle when you insert your key into the ignition. The engine control unit compared this code against its internal database to determine if you're the authorized owner of the vehicle. If it is then, the car will start. The process is not visible and takes only milliseconds.
There will be a tiny chip on the front of your key if it is a transponder. The most efficient way to test it is to insert the key into the ignition and turn it on. If your vehicle responds to the key, it means that it has been programmed and confirmed as a valid transponder.
This is due to the fact that, while traditional keys are used to match the lock tumblers to unlock the vehicle, transponder chips transmit an electronic signal directly to the computer. This is a way to prevent individuals from hot-wiring their car by ensuring the correct key is used.
Follow these simple instructions to reprogram a transponder. First, make sure that the key is in good working condition and then put it aside. Then, insert the blank key into the ignition and turn it to the "on" position. After about 15 minutes, switch off the ignition. After 15 minutes, you are able to attempt to start the car once more. If it isn't starting then you'll need to repeat the process of turning off and on the car.
Reprogramming a car key with a transponder is more complex and expensive than replicating a mechanical key. Additionally, you'll require the key professionally cut, and a specific car key programer is needed to remove the code from your ECM and match it with the new transponder key.
Smart Keys Keys
Smart keys allow drivers to unlock doors and start engines by pressing a button without the need to insert the key in the ignition. The fob is equipped with an electronic transponder that connects to an immobilizer inside the car, disarming it so the car can be started. The fob is equipped with remote control buttons that open the tailgate, open the trunk and control the door locks. Some include the panic button, which, when activated, loudly blasts the vehicle's sound to repel intruders.
Smart keys aren't different. They come with their pros and cons like every other technology. But they do offer enhanced security and convenience - especially for those who have a tendency to forget to secure their vehicle. These features can help you save money over the course of time.
Smart keys are not only a great way to prevent thieves from stealing cars and other valuables, but they also assist you in avoiding the old phrase, "it's somewhere in here." Instead of using a metal key shaft, smart keys communicate with your car using radio frequency signals. They aren't duplicated by traditional keys. However, car ignition key replacement doesn't mean that you won't be able to locate the key in case it gets lost.
Smart keys can be more expensive, depending on the manufacturer. This is due to the fact that they are equipped with electronic components, making them more complex and difficult to repair if 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, avoiding having to plan alternative transportation while your vehicle is being repaired. If you're considering purchasing a smart car key, you can purchase an extra key to keep in a safe place or invest in motor cover that will pay out in the event of losing your keys. Make 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, as per How Stuff Works Electronics.
Switchblade Keys
There are many options available when it comes to changing the ignition key. The traditional key is the most common one, and it comes with a steel shaft that has distinct notches or cutouts that correspond to lock tumblers on the ignition cylinder and door. They do not have advanced features such as 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. These keys have an embedded 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 has been very successful in reducing automotive theft, and the process of programming a new key and transponder is relatively easy for a skilled car locksmith.
Flip-style keys are a different kind of key that can be tucked away the blade when it is not being used. This helps protect the key blade from damage, and also reduces bulk for more convenient carrying. The key fob portion of this kind of key usually has remote control functions, allowing drivers to lock and unlock car doors or trunk and even start the engine remotely.
Laser cut keys are readily available for those looking to add an additional security measure against auto theft. Lasers are used to cut the shanks of these keys, forming patterns that are difficult to duplicate. These keys are more expensive than traditional keys and key fobs, but they provide a higher level of security.
Finally, there are switchesblade keys, which are similar to the bladed weapons that popularized the term "switchblade." These keys fold down into a key fob handle when they are not being used. When the user presses a button, the handle opens and exposes the key blade exactly like a switchblade knife. A locksmith can replace either the key blade or the key fob part of this kind of key, but they're somewhat more expensive than standard replacements.
Smart keys are the most recent technology in security for cars. They provide a completely electronic system for unlocking and opening your car. The keys communicate with your vehicle through antennas that are embedded into the car's frame and body. This eliminates the requirement for traditional key blades and the necessity of inserting the key into the ignition. The most advanced models can be used to lock and start your car without having to be connected to the ignition at all, though this requires that you be within range of the vehicle.
Key Fobs
Key fobs are 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 vehicle. They are connected to the key using a small plastic case, which may have buttons to open the trunk or set off an alarm.
Some cars of recent years also come with a combination key that offers both a traditional key shank as well as an accessory key fob, with the latter typically controlling the ignition. It is also called a "transponder key."
Many modern-day car owners use their key fobs to gain access to their vehicle, and the majority of them aren't aware of it. While these devices are fantastic for adding convenience to driving, they also come with some drawbacks that should be considered.
The most obvious problem is that the battery in the key fob may be dead. The key fob sends an encrypted code to unlock and start your car. If the signal is lost or disrupted the key won't be able to operate the car.
Fortunately, modern key fobs are designed to be resilient against such threats. They are usually programmed to send random numbers to the car's system each time they transmit an alert. This stops the old codes from being reused and renders any stolen key useless for thieves.
Key fobs can also serve as a backup option to unlock and start the car, in the event that your key is lost. Some manufacturers go one step further by providing apps that can be used to control the vehicle in the event you cannot locate your key fob.
If you have an old key fob that requires to be replaced, it is recommended to connect with an experienced locksmith. They can assist you and their services are generally less expensive than those offered by dealers.