Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper

As technology improves, the days of turning a key to start your car are going away. We now have remote programming. Even those can malfunction sometimes and need a professional to help. A trained mobile locksmith is the best choice for fast replacement of your car key.

You can also purchase spare keys at an authorized dealer. However it will require programming to your specific vehicle prior to activation. Locksmiths who have access to your VIN and registration or title are able to do this.

Lost or Stolen Keys

The owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose them for their great gas mileage, low maintenance needs and high resale worth. Like any other car mini keys Cooper keys can be lost or stop working. If this happens, a reliable locksmith will come to your rescue.

Modern vehicles rely on remote key fobs that allow you to open doors and begin their engines. They have an immobiliser system which prevents your vehicle from driving without the right key. It's expensive to replace the fob if it is lost.

Newer car models have an electronic chip embedded in their key fobs which talks to the transponder within the engine of your car. The chip contains a code that is unique to your vehicle. If you want to replace it, it will have to be programmed to the specific car, which requires an authorised locksmith or dealer equipped with the right tools.

The process of replacing your keys at a dealer can be expensive, but it is often the only option. A mobile locksmith can create keys for you at lower cost in particular when your title or registration is present as proof that you own the vehicle.

Unlocking Your Car

It can be a nightmare by realizing that you have locked your keys in your car. You could be waiting for someone to show up to unlock the door or for a tow truck to arrive. There are some clever techniques that you can use to save time and money.

The first step is locate a long, thin rod. You can use a wire clothes hanger however, you could also make use of a rod made from a strong piece of plastic, or even a shoelace. It should be thin enough it to pass through the door's seams and long enough to reach the lock button.

Attach a slip knot to the string (a sliding knot that tightens tightly when pulled). Put the loop of the slip knot on the lock button. Be gentle and gently wiggle the string using the slip knot on top of the lock button in back-and-forward movements until the knob in the interior of the door opens.

This trick isn't suitable for all situations however it's an excellent alternative for a lot of cars. This trick is especially useful when the locking mechanism of your vehicle is on the side, rather than at the top. If your car has an upper knob of the door, this technique may also be able to help you if you have the right tool available. Just be careful not to cause damage to your car in the process.

Resetting Your Key Fob

You might need to reset your key fob when you replace the battery or lose it. Most of the time, this won't impact the function of your key, but when it doesn't function immediately it could be because you've installed the new battery incorrectly. It's best to bring the new battery to the dealer for installation, so they can make sure it's matched to your car.

It is essential that you have a working key to use while you're trying to reset yours. Sit in the driver's chair and place the blank key close by. Push the small silver tab on the back of the key fob and pull out the metal key and then take the battery from its spot. replace mini key (Read the Full Post) the battery with a fresh one, and ensure that it's right side up (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).

After you've replaced the key battery switch the car on. Press the lock and unlock buttons on all of your fobs to programme them using the vehicle's computer. When all the fobs are programmed, then you can go back to your car and lock it as usual. Be sure to shut off the ignition immediately afterward to end the programming process because if you wait too long between actions could cause your car to erase all of its settings.

Replacing the Locks

It's a pain to be locked out of your vehicle, and it's expensive to replace mini key fob keys. The dealer will charge approximately $150 for a brand new key fob, while locksmiths could charge more. It is best to keep your spare keys in a secure location or buy a smartlock for your mini cooper that allows you to unlock it with your phone.

It is possible to change the door lock actuator on your own, but it takes a bit of patience and perseverance. The first step is removing the old actuator. To do this, grab the inside and take it out. Make sure to take out the push rod to access the manual lock rod, which is a rod with a black plastic tip on one end that inserts into an actuator clip. It can be difficult to locate and then put back into place this part, so it is best to keep the windows rolled down while you work on it.

Then, remove the cover and remove the old battery. Install the new battery, and then replace the cover. Install the actuator, making sure that the top end of your control rod fits into the fitting at the top of the actuator. It's a tight fit and you may need to apply some force to bring it in place. After that the doors should lock and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they don't then you'll need to speak with an expert locksmith or dealer for assistance.