What is a Smart Key Car Key?

Also known as keys that are in proximity, key fobs or remote keys, smart keys function to unlock doors and start engines without needing to insert the physical key. They communicate with one another using radiofrequency signals.

This helps to keep cars secure by blocking hotwiring. smart car key not working keys also broadcast unique encrypted signals to block them from being used by other drivers' vehicles.

Convenience

Instead of putting keys into an ignition slot it is possible to lock and unlock your vehicle by simply pressing the door handle or trunk. A lot of modern cars come with a feature that allows you to start your car via the internet. This is particularly helpful if you're bringing in groceries or transporting equipment and passengers.

This technology is designed to prevent vehicle theft. Instead of transmitting a single frequency signal, like a regular key fob does, a smart key sends out several encrypted signals to the car smart key's embedded antennas as you walk towards it. What does this mean? Stuff Works Electronics explains that this is a way to prevent other cars from receiving and responding to the same signal.

Certain manufacturers also have computers in their vehicles that can recognize the unique fingerprints of each key. This makes sure that only authorized users use it. This is helpful when you loan your car to friends and family members.

Some smart keys also store user preferences so that the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel adjustments, as along with stereo presets can be set automatically when the key is within reach of the vehicle. For additional convenience, certain smart keys can be programmed to stop the vehicle from exceeding a certain speed limit once it has been initiated with that specific key. This can help keep unexperienced drivers safe and can be beneficial if you have young children in the back.

Security

Traditionally, keys were cut from metal to unlock the ignition. With smart key technology however, this is no longer the case. Smart keys have an electronic chip that transmits a signal to the car's antenna. The vehicle recognizes this signal when the driver presses the button on the trunk release or door handle. It is now impossible to lock your keys into your vehicle.

The signal that the smart key transmits to your car is encrypted, meaning only the owner has the right to use it. In addition, most models will shut off the engine if the car is not started in the last few minutes. This is especially helpful when you are in a dangerous area or you have to get out of your vehicle for any reason.

Additionally, if a smart key battery fails during a ride, many systems offer a backup method of opening and starting the vehicle. The backup system typically consists of placing the key into the slot or putting it in a particular area of the cockpit that transfers energy to an electric motor. Some manufacturers have a motorized key blade that can be used in an emergency situation to open the trunk or to start the vehicle.

Battery Life

Many newer cars have keyless entry as well as push-button starting systems, controlled by a smart key fob that makes use of proximity technology to connect with the car. These systems rely on a small transmitter, powered by a lithium coin-sized battery. Like all batteries that will eventually require replacement.

Although smart key fobs are made to last for a long time They can be suddenly lost power. A dead key fob means that you can't unlock or start the car, even if you put it close to the door to the front and the key fob light flashes.

It's not uncommon for the transmitter inside the smart key to drain the battery. It sends a signal back to the car every time you press an option, but the majority times, the smart car key programming key does nothing. A single signal to lock or unlock takes just a tiny portion of the fob's battery power and, therefore, there's several years worth of signals' worth of battery life left in the average smart key battery.

The fob is also prone to drain the battery if you place it close to other devices that emit electromagnetic fields, like phones and computers. These devices produce their own magnetic fields, which can interfere with the fob's own transmitter, causing it to operate more slowly. RepairPal reports that the fob could be inoperable if placed too close to the gadgets.

Maintenance

Smart keys are different from traditional keys made of metal in that they use technology to control the locks of your vehicle, as well as perform other functions. It works by transmitting a signal to antennas placed inside and outside your vehicle that detect the fob's signal and connect with the car's computer. The car interprets the signal permitting you to start or open the door without a physical key.

The fob is now a center of numerous electronic features on new automobiles. The most obvious uses are locking and unlocking your car, remote starting and chirping to help you locate your vehicle in a parking spot. Some fobs allow you to save different settings for different drivers, and can even remote-operated windows and the sunroof.

The fob is a complex electronic device that includes an integrated board. It can be damaged if used too hard or exposed to extreme heat or cold. The transmitter may break in the event of it being hit or dropped or smashed. The contacts on the battery can become bent.

These issues can be challenging to diagnose and resolve. You can use your smartphone to overcome this issue to test if it works. However it is recommended to keep an extra key in your pocket or case. You can purchase a generic replacement for most OEM smart keys, which costs up 70 percent less and comes with a three-year more than OEM guarantee.