Types of Ignition Key Replacement

The car key with a blade is the simplest to use. You simply insert it into the ignition lock cylinder and you're good to go. Keys like this are typically used in older cars, but modern models feature transponder chips which must be programmed into the vehicle to function.

These keys can be replaced by a dealer or automotive locksmith. They can make an replacement with your car's VIN number.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips can be present in vehicles built within the last 20-years. It's a combination of mechanical security and electronic security. It sends an encrypted message to the vehicle when you insert the ignition key. The engine control unit compared the code against its internal database to determine if you're the authorized vehicle owner. If it is the case, the car will begin. The process is invisible and takes milliseconds.

You'll see a tiny chip on the front of your key if it is transponders. Insisting the key into your ignition and turning it on is the easiest method to test. If your car responds to the key it means it was programmed and verified as an authentic transponder.

The reason this adds an additional layer of security is because 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 ensuring that the correct key is used.

Follow these easy steps to reprogram a transponder. First, make sure that the key is in good condition and then put it aside. Then, put the blank key into the ignition and turn the key to the "on" position. After about 15 minutes, turn off the ignition and key replacement. Then, you can try to start the car again. If the car doesn't start after switching it off and back on, you'll have repeat the process.

Reprogramming the transponder key is more complicated and costly than making a duplicate of a standard mechanical car key. You'll also need to have your key professionally cut and a key programmer is required to decode the code and then match it to a new transponder.

Smart Keys

Smart keys allow drivers to unlock doors and start their engines with a single touch, without the need to insert the key in the ignition. Inside the fob is an electronic transponder that communicates with the immobilizer of the car disarming it, allowing the car to start. The fob comes with remote control buttons that open the tailgate, unlock the trunk and control the door locks. Some include a panic button that when activated, blasts the vehicle's sound to scare off intruders.

Like any technology smart keys come with advantages and disadvantages. They can provide security and convenience, especially for those who tend to forget to lock their car. These features can also save you money over the long term.

Smart keys aren't just a great way to prevent thieves from stealing vehicles as well, but they can aid you in avoiding the infamous phrase, "it's somewhere in here." Instead of using a metal key shaft, smart keys communicate with your car using radio frequency signals. They are therefore unable to be duplicated using keys cut in the traditional way. However, this doesn't mean you cannot find the key in the event that it gets lost.

Depending on the manufacturer, smart keys may be more expensive than traditional groove cut keys. This is mainly due to the fact that they have built-in electronics, making them more complex and difficult to repair if something goes wrong.

Luckily, Pop-A-Lock is able to replace and program most smart keys at a fraction of the cost of your dealer. We can even complete the process in a much less time frame, saving you the inconvenience of having to arrange for alternative transportation until your vehicle is fixed. If you're thinking of purchasing a smart key for your car, do yourself a favour and purchase a spare key to keep in a secure place, or consider motor insurance with a hefty payment in case you lose your keys. Just make sure you keep it away from prying eyes - low frequency transmissions can let someone pick up your signal and ignition Key Replacement steal your car, reports How Stuff Works Electronics.

Switchblade Keys

When it comes to ignition key replacement there are several different options to choose from. Traditional keys are the old standby, incorporating a metal shaft with distinct notches or cuts that correspond to lock tumblers within the door and the ignition cylinder. They lack advanced features like remote unlocking or keyless entry however they are reliable and easy to use.

Transponder keys represent an important advancement in the field of automotive security technology. They have an electronic chip embedded in the head of the key that communicates with a receiver inside the vehicle, allowing it to start only if the correct code is transmitted. This type of key has been very effective in reducing theft from vehicles and programming a new key and transponder is relatively easy for a skilled car locksmith.

Flip-style keys are a type of key that can be tucked away the blade when when not in use. This protects the key blade from damage and also reduces bulk for more convenient carrying. This type of key has keys that come with remote control features. Drivers can lock and unlock car trunks, doors, or even start their engines remotely.

If you are looking for an added layer of protection against automotive theft, a laser cut key is available. These keys have their shanks cut using the help of a laser, resulting in an extremely precise and difficult to replicate pattern. These keys are more expensive than traditional keys and key fobs but they offer a higher level of security.

Finally, there are switchblade keys, which resemble the bladed weapons that spawned the term "switchblade." These keys fold up into an accessory handle for keys when they are not in use. When the user presses a button the handle opens and exposes the key blade just as a switchblade knife would. Locksmiths can replace the key blade, or the key fob in this type of lock. However they are more expensive than regular replacements.

Smart keys are the latest technology in security for cars and offer a fully electronic method of unlocking and starting your car. They communicate with the vehicle using antennas that are inserted into the car's frame and body, eliminating the need for a traditional key blade, and the need to physically insert the key into the ignition cylinder. Some of the most advanced models are able to start and lock the car without the key being inserted into the ignition. However you must be within the range.

Key Fobs

Key fobs are basically remotes for cars that let you to lock and start the vehicle without needing to touch the ignition. They are usually small, rectangular, and feature buttons that can perform a variety of functions, from locking the doors to remotely starting the car. They are connected to the key via a small plastic case that may include buttons that open the trunk and set off an alarm.

Certain newer vehicles include a combination key that combines a traditional key shank and key fob. This is typically used to control the ignition. These are also known as "transponder keys."

Many modern car owners do not know that they use their keys to unlock their vehicles. While these devices are fantastic for making driving more convenient but they do have some downsides that should be considered.

The most obvious issue is that a key-fob can be unable to charge. The key fob sends an encoded code to unlock and start your car. If the signal is lost or interrupted, the key will not be able to start the car.

Fortunately, most modern key fobs are designed to withstand such threats. They are often programmed to send random numbers to the car's system each time they send a signal. This prevents old codes from being used again and renders stolen keys useless to thieves.

If the key is lost the key fob will be used as a backup to start and unlock the car. Some manufacturers have even gone a step further by offering apps that can be downloaded onto the phone and used to control a car in the event you're unable to find your key fob.

A professional locksmith can assist you replace a lost key fob. They'll be able to assist you, and their services are likely to be more affordable than a dealership.