Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper

As technology advances the days of turning the key to operate your car are going away. Today, we use remote programming. Even these can fail at times and need a professional to assist. A trained mobile locksmith is the best option for quick replacement of car keys.

You can also purchase an extra key from an authorized dealer. However it must be programmed to your vehicle prior to activation. Locksmiths who have access to your VIN or registration number, as well as your title are able to do this.

Keys lost or stolen

The owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose mini cooper key fob Coopers for their high gas mileage, low maintenance requirements and high resale value. Similar to other cars, Mini Cooper keys can be lost or stop working. If this happens, a good locksmith can help you out.

Modern vehicles have remote key fobs that can be used to open doors and start engines. These fobs have an immobiliser system which prevents your vehicle from driving without the right key. If you lose yours, buying a replacement will be expensive.

The key fobs of newer models of cars are equipped with an electronic chip that communicates with the transponder within the engine of your vehicle. This chip has a code that is unique to the car. If you require a replacement chip, it needs to be programmed in your car through an authorized dealer or a locksmith who has the right tools.

It is costly to replace your keys at a dealership, but this is often the only choice. A mobile locksmith can create keys for you at less, especially when your title or registration is present as proof that you have the car.

Unlocking Your Car

You could ruin your day when you realize that you've locked your keys in your car. You could be left waiting for someone to arrive and open the door, or for a tow-truck arrive. Fortunately, there are some clever ways you can use to save yourself time and money.

The first thing you need to do is to find a long, thin rod. You can make use of a clothes hanger made of wire, but you can also make use of a rod made from a strong piece of plastic, or a shoelace. It should be thin enough to pass through the door seam, and long enough to reach the lock button.

Make a slip knot in the string. Place the loop of the slip knot on the lock button. Use your fingers to gently move the string around the knot on top of the lock button with back-andforth motions until the knob inside the door opens.

This trick isn't suitable for all situations, but it's a good option for many cars. It's particularly useful when your car has the locking mechanism on the side of the door, rather than at the top. If you have a knob located on the top of your door, you could also make use of this method if you have it. Be careful not to harm your car in the process.

Resetting Your Key Fob

You might need to reset your key fob in the event that you replace the battery or lose it. This won't usually affect the functionality of the key, but it's possible you installed the battery incorrectly. It is recommended to take the new battery to the dealership to be installed so that they can ensure that it's the correct one for your vehicle.

You'll need to make sure you have a working key in your possession while you're trying to reset yours. Sit in the driver's seat and place your blank key somewhere nearby. Press the small silver tab on the back of the fob to reveal the keys made from metal, and take the batteries off. Replace the battery with a fresh one, and make sure it's facing up (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).

Once you've replaced the key battery then turn on the car. Press the lock/unlock buttons on your fobs in order to programme them into the vehicle's computer. When all the fobs have been programmed, you can go back to your car and lock it just as you would normally. Be sure to shut off the ignition afterward to terminate the programming process in case you are waiting too long between actions could cause your car to wipe out all of its settings.

Replacing the Locks

Being locked out of your vehicle is an enormous issue, and it can cost a lot to replace keys. Locksmiths can charge upwards of $150 for keys. The dealer will charge about $150. The best way to avoid this is to store your spare key in a safe place, or to purchase an electronic lock for your mini cooper so that you can unlock it using your phone.

It is possible to replace the door lock actuator yourself, but it takes some patience and work. The first step is to pull out the old actuator by reaching inside and pulling it out. Make sure to remove the push rod to access the manual lock, which is an iron rod with a black plastic tip at the other end that is inserted into an attachment on the actuator. This part is difficult to locate and then get back into place, so it's recommended to leave the window rolled up while working on this.

Then, remove the battery cover and remove the old battery. Install the new battery and then replace the cover. Then, place the actuator back in place and ensure that the top end of the control rod is into the fitting on top of the actuator. You may need to use some force to push the actuator into place. You should be able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing buttons on the keyfob. If they do not then you'll need to call a locksmith or the dealer for assistance.