Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper

The days of turning the key to operate your car are disappearing as technology improves. Instead, we now use remote programming options. These can also fail and require assistance from a professional. For quick car key replacement, a mobile locksmith who is trained is the best option.

You can purchase a spare key from a dealer, but it must be programed to your specific vehicle prior to activation. This is only done by locksmiths who have access to your VIN and registration or title.

Keys stolen or lost

Owners of mini car key keys - Read the Full Write-up, Cooper cars often choose Mini Coopers for their high gas mileage, low maintenance requirements and high resale value. Similar to other cars Mini Cooper keys may be lost or stop working. A professional locksmith can assist you in this case.

Modern vehicles are equipped with remote key fobs which can be used to unlock doors and even start engines. The fobs are linked to an immobiliser system that prevents the vehicle from operating in the event that the right key isn't available. It's expensive to replace in the event that you lose it.

The key fobs on newer models of cars have an electronic chip that communicates with the transponder in your vehicle's engine. The chip is unique and has a code that matches only the code of your car. If you require an upgrade chip, it needs to be programmed to your car by a licensed dealer or a locksmith with the right tools.

It's costly to replace your keys at the dealer, but this is usually the only option. A mobile locksmith professional can come to you and create a new key for less, especially if you have your car's registration or title on hand to prove that you are the owner of the vehicle.

Unlocking Your Car

The horrible realization that you've locked the keys to your car can make your day miserable and leave you waiting for a tow truck or a friend to unlock the door for you. There are some clever techniques that you can employ to save time and money.

The first step is to find an extremely long, thin rod. A wire clothes hanger works well, but you could also try rods made of an incredibly strong strip of plastic or even a shoelace. It must be thin enough that it can fit through the door seam, and long enough to reach the lock button.

Tie a slip-knot in the string. The loop of the slip knot over the button for locking. Move gently back and forth the string using the slip knot over the lock button in forward and back movements until the knob on the inside of the door opens.

This method won't work in every situation but it's a viable option for a variety of cars. It's especially helpful for cars that have the locking mechanism on the side of the door instead of at the top. If your car has knobs on the top of the door, this method might help you if you've got the right tool available. Be careful not to damage the car.

Resetting Your Key Fob

You may need to reset your key fob when you replace the battery or lose it. In most cases, this won't alter the functionality of your key, but if it doesn't work right away it's possible that you've installed the battery in the wrong way. You should take the new battery into the dealership to be installed so that they can confirm that it's a suitable one for your vehicle.

It is essential that you have a working key to use while trying to reset yours. Then, you'll need to sit in the driver's seat and put your new blank keys aside in a nearby location. Push the small silver tab on the back of the key fob to open the keys made from metal, and remove the batteries. Replace 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 replacing the battery in your key, you can turn on the car. Press the lock or unlock buttons on your fobs in order to program them into the car's computer. When all the fobs have been programmed, you can return to your vehicle and lock it as usual. Be sure to shut off the ignition following this to terminate the programming process because if you wait too long between actions could cause your car to erase all of its settings.

Replacing the Locks

Locked out of your car a big issue, and it can cost a lot to replace keys. Locksmiths will charge you more than $150 for the key fob. The dealer will charge about $150. It is best to keep your spare keys in a secure location or buy a smartlock for your mini key fobs cooper to unlock it with your phone.

It is possible to replace the door lock actuator yourself, but it takes a bit of patience and work. The first step is to take out the old actuator. To do this, reach inside and remove it. Be sure to remove the push rod to access the manual lock rod, which is an iron rod with a black plastic tip on the other end that is inserted into a clip on the actuator. This can be a challenge to locate and put back into position, so it's recommended to keep the window shut while working on this.

Then, take off the cover and the old battery. Then, you can install the new battery and replace the cover. Install the actuator and ensure that the star end of the control rod fits into the fitting on the top of the actuator. You may have to apply a bit of force to bring the actuator into place. You should now be able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing the buttons on the keyfob. If they don't then you'll need to speak with a locksmith or a dealer for assistance.