Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper

As technology advances, the days of turning the key to operate your car are disappearing. Today, we use remote programming. Even those can malfunction sometimes and require a professional assist. A trained mobile locksmith is your best option for quick car key replacement.

You can purchase spare keys from a dealer, but it must be programmed to your specific car prior to activation. Locksmiths who have access to your VIN or registration number, as well as your title can do this.

Lost or Stolen Keys

Owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose them for their great gas mileage, low maintenance requirements and a high resale value. Similar to other cars Mini Cooper keys may be lost or stop working. A reliable locksmith can help you in this case.

Modern vehicles come with remote key fobs which can be used to unlock doors and start engines. The fobs come with an immobiliser mechanism that prevents the vehicle from being driven without the proper key. It's costly to replace it when you lose it.

Newer models of cars include an electronic chip embedded in their key fobs which talks to the transponder within your car's engine. The chip is unique and has a code that is only compatible with the code that is in your car. If you receive a replacement chip, it needs to be programmed to the specific car which requires an authorized locksmith or dealer with the appropriate tools.

A replacement of your keys at a dealership could be expensive however, it's often the only alternative. A professional locksmith on mobile can visit you and design keys for cheaper, particularly if have your car's registration or title on hand to prove you are the owner.

Unlocking Your Car

It can be a nightmare when you realize you've locked your keys in your car. You could be waiting for someone else to come and unlock the door or for a tow-truck to arrive. There are a few smart tricks that you can apply to save time and money.

The first thing to do is find a long, thin rod. You can use a wire hanger for clothes or use a rod that is composed of a strong strip of plastic, or even shoelace. It must be thin enough to pass through the door seam, and long enough to reach the lock button.

Create a slip knot on the string. The loop of the slip knot over the button for locking. Be gentle and gently wiggle the string with the slip knot over the lock-button using back-and-forward movements until the knob on the inside of your door opens.

This trick might not work in all cases however it's an ideal solution for many automobiles. It's especially helpful in the case of cars with the locking mechanism that is located on the side of the door, rather than at the top. If your car has a knob at the top of the door, this technique might help you if you've got the right tool on hand. Be sure not to cause damage to your vehicle in the process.

Resetting Your Key Fob

You might need to reset your key fob if you change the battery or lose it. It's not likely to affect the functionality of your key, but if it doesn't work right away there's a chance that you've installed the new battery in a wrong way. It's a good idea bring the battery to the dealer to have it installed so that they can ensure it is matched up with your car.

You'll need to make sure you have a working key that you can use while trying to reset yours. Then, you'll need to sit in the driver's seat and set your new blank keys aside in a nearby location. Then, push the small silver tab on the back of the key fob and pop out the metal key then remove the battery from its spot. Replace the battery, and ensure that it's in the correct way up (the negative end should be on the outside).

Once you've replaced the new key battery switch the car on. Press the lock/unlock buttons on your fobs to program them into the car's computer. Once all fobs are programmed then return to your vehicle and lock it in the same way as usual. You must turn off your ignition to complete the programming process. If you wait too long, your vehicle could lose all of its functions.

Replacing the Locks

Getting locked out of your car quite a problem, and it could be costly to replace the keys. Locksmiths may charge more than $150 for the key fob. The dealer will charge around $150. It is best to keep spare keys in a safe location or purchase a new smartlock for your mini keys cooper to unlock it using your smartphone.

Replacing the door lock actuator can be a DIY project for the majority of people however, it will require a little bit of work and patience. The first step is to pull out the old actuator by reaching inside and pulling it out. Take off the rod that's attached to the manual lock. It's a rod made of black plastic on one end. This rod goes into an actuator clip. It can be difficult to locate and put back in place this piece It is therefore recommended to keep the window shut down while you work on it.

Next, remove the cover of the battery and take off the old battery. Then install the new battery and replace the cover. Finally, put the actuator back into position, making sure the star end of the control rod fits into the fitting on the top of the actuator. It's a tight fitting, so you might need to use some force to bring it in place. After this your doors should be locked and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they don't, then you'll need to call a certified locksmith or dealership for assistance.