What is a Smart Key Car Key?

Differently referred to as keys for proximity Key fobs, proximity keys, or remote keys, smart keys work to unlock doors and start engines without the driver having to insert a physical key for smart car. They communicate by radiofrequency signals.

This helps keep vehicles safe by preventing hotwiring. Smart keys emit unique encrypted signals that prevent them from being accessed by other vehicles.

Convenience

You can lock and unlock your vehicle without having to insert the key into the ignition slot. Simply touch the handle of the door or trunk. Many modern cars also come with a feature that allows you to start your car via the internet. This is especially useful if you're bringing groceries into the vehicle, or transporting passengers or equipment.

This technology is intended to deter theft of vehicles. Instead of sending only one frequency signal as a standard key fob does new smart car key keys send out several encrypted signals to a car's embedded antennas as you come close to it. What does this mean? Stuff Works Electronics explains that this stops other vehicles from receiving and responding the same signal.

Furthermore, some manufacturers utilize a computer chip within the vehicle to recognize the unique fingerprints of each key, which can ensure that only authorized drivers are using it. This is beneficial if you loan your car to family and friends.

Certain smart keys also save 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 range of the vehicle. Some smart keys can also be programmed to stop the vehicle from going over the speed limit once started with that key. This can help keep unexperienced drivers safe and beneficial for families with young children in the back of the vehicle.

Security

Traditionally, keys were cut from metal to unlock the ignition. Smart keys eliminate this need. Smart keys are equipped with a special chip that sends the signal to your car's antenna. The signal is subsequently detected by the vehicle when the driver presses on the handle of the door or trunk release. This means that it's not possible to lock your keys into your car.

The signal sent by the smart key to your vehicle is encrypted to ensure that only you are able to use it. Most models also disable the engine when the vehicle hasn't been started in just a few minutes. This is especially useful when you're in a risky area or have to leave the vehicle for any reason, for instance, at a gas pump.

A lot of systems also have a backup system for opening and starting the car if the battery of the smart keys runs out while you are on a ride. The backup system involves inserting the key into the slot, or putting it close to an space in the cockpit which transfers energy to an electric motor. Certain manufacturers have a mechanical key blade that can be utilized in a situation of emergency to open the trunk or to start the vehicle.

Battery Life

Many newer cars have keyless entry and push button starting systems which are controlled by a key fob that makes use of proximity technology to communicate with the car. These systems use a tiny transmitter powered by a lithium coin-sized battery. As with all batteries, it eventually needs replacement.

Even though smart key fobs are made to last for a long time but they may suddenly lose power. If the fob's battery is dead you won't be able to unlock or start your car if you hold it up near the front door.

It is not uncommon to see the sensor of a smartkey to drain the battery. It transmits a signal to the car every time you press a button, but most of the time the smart fortwo key fob key does nothing. One single lock/unlock button takes only a fraction of the battery power of the fob and, therefore, there's several years ' worth of signals worth of battery life in the average smart car key repair key battery.

The fob can also drain the battery if you place it close to other devices emitting electromagnetic fields, for example phones and computers. These devices emit their own magnetic fields which can interfere with and slow down the fob transmitter. RepairPal reports that the fob may stop working if it is placed too close to the gadgets.

Maintenance

As opposed to the traditional car key, a smart key uses technology to manage the locks on your vehicle, and also perform other functions. It operates by sending a signal to the antennas situated inside and outside of your vehicle. They detect the fob's signals and communicate with the car's computer. The car interprets the signal permitting you to start or close it without having to use the physical key.

The fob is now a hub of many electronic features in new smart car key automobiles. The most obvious are locking and unlocking, remote starter, and chirping sound to help you find your vehicle in a parking lot. Some fobs also let you store specific settings for different drivers and open windows remotely and sunroofs.

The fob itself is a complex device that includes an integrated circuit board, and it could be damaged by repeated use or exposure to cold or hot. The transmitter could be damaged when it's dropped or banged and the battery contacts can also become bent.

These problems can be hard to identify and fix. You can try using your smartphone to get around the problem and see if this works however, it's always a good idea to keep a backup key in your pocket, just in case. You can buy an alternative to the majority of OEM smart keys that cost up 70 percent less and comes with a three-year better-than-OEM guarantee.