Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper

The days of turning the key to operate your vehicle are disappearing as technology improves. We now use remote programming. Even these are susceptible to fail and require assistance from a professional. For quick car key replacement, a trained mobile locksmith is the best choice.

You can purchase an extra key from a dealer, but it will need to be programmed to your car prior to activation. Locksmiths with access to your VIN or registration number, as well as your title are able to do this.

Keys stolen or lost

The owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose Mini Coopers for their high gas mileage, low maintenance requirements and high resale worth. Similar to other cars Mini Cooper keys could get lost or cease to function. If this happens, a reliable locksmith can help you out.

Modern vehicles rely on remote key fobs to open doors and start their engines. The fobs are linked to an immobiliser system that prevents your vehicle from driving when the correct key isn't there. If you lose yours, replacing it is expensive.

Newer car models have an electronic chip embedded in their key fobs which talks to the transponder within your vehicle's engine. The chip is unique and has a code that only matches the code that is in your car. If you require a replacement mini keys chip, it must be programmed in your car by a licensed dealer or a locksmith with the appropriate tools.

It can be expensive to replace your keys at a dealership, but this is usually the only option. A professional mobile locksmith can come to you and create keys for less, especially if you have the registration or title of your car on hand to prove you are the owner.

Unlocking Your Car

The horrifying realization that you've locked your keys inside your car could cause a lot of stress and leave you waiting for an emergency tow truck or friend to unlock the door for you. There are, however, some clever tricks you can try to save yourself time and money.

The first thing you need to do is to find a long, thin rod. A wire clothes hanger works well, but you might also consider rods made of an incredibly strong strip of plastic or even a shoelace. It must be thin enough for it to fit into the door's seams, and long enough to reach the lock button.

Make a slip knot in the string (a sliding knot that tightens when pulled). Attach the loop from the slip knot onto the lock button. Be gentle and gently wiggle the string using the slip knot placed over the lock-button in back-and forward motions until the knob located on the inside of the door opens.

This trick may not work for all situations, but it is an ideal solution for many automobiles. It's particularly helpful in the case of cars with the locking mechanism located on the side of the door instead of at the top. If your car has an opening knob on the top of the door, this technique may also be able to help you if you've got the right tool available. Be careful not to damage the car.

Resetting Your Key Fob

It's possible that you need to reset your key fob if you replace the battery or lose it. Most of the time, this won't impact the function of your key, but if it doesn't work immediately it could be because you installed the new battery incorrectly. It's best to bring the battery to the dealership to have it installed so that they can make sure it's matched to your car.

If you're trying to reset your key, you'll require a second working key. Relax in a driver's seat and place the blank key close by. Press the small silver tab on the back of the fob to release the metal keys, then remove the batteries. Replace the battery and be sure that it is the right way up (the negative end should be on the outside).

Once you've replaced the new key battery, turn the car on. Press the lock or unlock buttons on your fobs in order to program them into the car's computer. After all fobs have been programmed go back to your vehicle and lock it in the same way as usual. Turn off your ignition to complete the programming process. If you are waiting too long, the car may lose all its functions.

Replacing the Locks

Locked out of your car is an immense hassle, and it can be costly to replace keys. Locksmiths can charge more than $150 for the key fob. The dealer will charge about $150. The best way to avoid this is to keep your spare key in a secure location, or to buy a smart lock for your mini cooper to unlock it using your smartphone.

Replacing the door lock actuator could be an easy DIY project for the majority of people however, it will require some effort and patience. The first step is to pull off the old actuator by reaching inside and pulling it out. Be sure to remove the rod that pushes for the manual lock it's rod that has a black plastic tip at one end, which is then inserted into an attachment on the actuator. This part can be tricky to locate and put back into place, so it's a good idea keep the window closed while you work on this.

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 the control rod is inserted into the fitting at the top of the actuator. It may be necessary to apply a little force to get the actuator into place. You should be able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing the buttons on the keyfob. If they don't, then you'll require a certified locksmith or dealership for help.