Types of Ignition Key Replacement

The blade-style car key is the simplest to use. It's as simple as inserting it into your ignition lock cylinder and you're ready to go. Keys like this are typically used in older cars, however the newer models have transponder chips that must be programmed into your car to work.

The keys can be replaced by a dealer or a locksmith. The VIN number of your car can be used to make a new key.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are almost always present in vehicles built in the last 20 years. This technology is a perfect blend of mechanical and electronic security. It works by sending a coded message to the vehicle every time you put the key in the ignition. The engine control unit compared this code with its internal database to determine if you're the authorized vehicle owner. If it is, then the car will begin. The process takes milliseconds and is invisible to the naked eye.

If you have a transponder-type key, you'll be able see a small electronic chip on the face of your key. Insisting the key into your ignition and turning it on is the most efficient way to test. If your car responds, it means that the key is programmed and has been successfully verified as a genuine transponder key.

This is because, whereas traditional keys match the lock tumblers to unlock the vehicle, the transponder chips transmit an electronic signal directly to the computer. This helps prevent people from hot-wiring cars by ensuring that the right key is used to start the ignition system.

To reprogram a transponder key it is necessary to follow a few simple steps. First, ensure that the key works and then set it aside. Then, put the blank key in the ignition and turn the key to the "on" position. After about 15 minutes, switch off the ignition. After that, you are able to try starting the car again. If it fails to start, then you will need to repeat the procedure of turning off and turning on the car.

The process of reprogramming the transponder key is a bit more complex and expensive than duplicating the regular mechanical car key. In addition, 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 a new transponder keys.

Smart Keys Keys

Smart keys let drivers unlock doors and start their engines by pressing a button, without the need to insert the key in the ignition. Inside the fob is an electronic transponder that communicates with the vehicle's immobilizer disarming it, allowing the car to start. The fob typically has remote control function buttons that control the door locks, unlock the trunk and open the tailgates. Some include a panic button that when pressed, blasts the vehicle's sound to dissuade intruders.

Like all technologies, smart keys have advantages and disadvantages. They offer security and convenience, especially for those who often 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 vehicles, but they can also help you avoid the age-old phrase, "it's somewhere in here." Instead of using a traditional metal key shaft smart keys communicate with your car using radio frequency signals. They are therefore unable to be duplicated with a traditional key cut. But that doesn't mean you can't find the key if it should occur to be 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 are equipped with electronic components, which makes them more complicated and difficult to fix in the event of a malfunction.

Fortunately, Pop-A Lock can replace and program most smart keys at less than the cost of a dealership. We can complete the process in a fraction of the time, and you won't be needing to arrange for alternative transportation while your car is being repaired. If you're thinking about getting a smart car key, buy an extra key to keep in a safe location or purchase a motor covers that pay out if you lose your keys. Just make sure you keep it away from prying eyes. Low frequency transmissions can allow someone to pick up your signal and take your car, reports How Stuff Works Electronics.

Switchblade Keys

When it is time to replace the ignition key, there are a few different options to choose from. The traditional key is the most commonly used one, and it comes with an iron shaft with distinct cutouts or notches that correspond to lock tumblers in the door and ignition cylinder. They do not have advanced features such as remote unlocking or keyless entry, but they are reliable and easy to use.

Transponder keys on the other hand, are a significant leap forward in the field of automotive security technology. These keys have an electronic chip in the head of the key that communicates with a receiver within the vehicle that allows it to begin only when the correct code is transmitted. This kind of key has proven effective in reducing the theft of vehicles, and the process of programming a new key with a transponder is relatively simple for an experienced car locksmith.

Another kind of key is the flip-style key, which tucks the key blade inside the housing 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 doors, trunks, and start their engines remotely.

For those who are looking for a new layer of protection against automotive theft, laser cut keys are available. These keys have their shanks cut with a laser, creating a more precise and difficult to replicate pattern. They cost more than traditional keys and basic key fobs but they provide a higher level of security.

Additionally, there are switchblade keys, which resemble the bladed weapons that spawned the term "switchblade." These keys fold into a key fob handle when not in use. When the user presses a button, the handle opens and exposes the key blade just like a switchblade knife. Locksmiths can replace the key blade or the key fob component of this kind of key, however, they can be a bit more costly than standard replacements.

Smart keys are the most recent technology in security for cars. They are a fully electronic system for unlocking and opening your car. The keys communicate with your vehicle through antennas embedded in the car frame and body. This eliminates the need for traditional key blades and the requirement to insert the key into the ignition. The most advanced models can be used to lock and start your car key ignition replacement near me without having to be placed in the ignition cylinder lock repair, though this requires that you be within the range of the car.

Key Fobs

Key fobs work as remotes that let you start and lock your car without having to touch the ignition. They are small, rectangular and come with buttons that can be used for various functions. From locking the doors to starting the car remotely they can be used for everything. They are connected to the car keys via small plastic cases which may also have buttons to open the trunk or activate an alarm.

Some cars of recent years also come with a combination key that offers both a traditional key shank and a key fob, with the latter typically controlling the ignition. It is also called a "transponder key."

Many modern car owners do not know that they use their key fobs to unlock their vehicles. These gadgets can be fantastic for making driving more convenient however they also have some downsides.

The most obvious problem 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 and in the event that the signal is cut off or is lost ignition key, the key fob won't be in a position to operate the car.

Fortunately, modern key fobs have been designed to deter these kinds of threats. They are typically programmed to send random numbers to the car system every time they transmit signals. This prevents old codes from being reused and makes stolen keys useless for thieves.

If the key is lost the key fob can be used as a backup to unlock and start the car. Some manufacturers even go one step further by providing apps that can be used to control the vehicle locksmith in the event that you fail to find your key fob.

If you have an old key fob that requires to be replaced, it is recommended to get in contact with an experienced locksmith. They'll be able to help you out, and their services tend to be cheaper than dealerships.