Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper

As technology improves, the days of turning the key to start your car are going away. Instead, we use remote programming options. Even these can fail at times and require a professional assist. A trained mobile locksmith is the best option to get fast replacement of your car key.

You can purchase a spare key from a dealer, but it will need to be programmed to your specific car before activation. Locksmiths with access to your VIN and registration or title are able to do this.

Lost or Stolen Keys

mini car keys Cooper owners choose their cars for their high resale values Low maintenance requirements and excellent gas mileage. As with all cars, mini replacement key fob Cooper keys can be lost or not work. If this happens, a professional locksmith will help.

Modern vehicles come with remote key fobs that can be used to open doors and even start engines. These fobs are connected to an immobiliser that stops the vehicle from operating in the event that the correct key isn't in the. If you lose the key, replacing it is expensive.

The key fobs in the latest models of cars include an electronic chip that communicates with the transponder in the engine of your car. This chip has a unique code that matches only the code that is in your car. If you require a replacement chip, it must be programmed to your car through an authorized dealer or a locksmith with the appropriate tools.

It's costly to replace your keys at the dealer, but this is usually the only option. A mobile locksmith can make keys for you at an affordable price particularly in the event that your registration or title is present as proof that you have the car.

Unlocking Your Car

The horrible realization that you locked the keys to your car can ruin your day and leave you waiting for a tow truck or a friend to unlock the door for you. There are a few clever strategies that you can apply to save time and money.

The first step is to locate an extremely long, thin rod. A wire clothes hanger is ideal, however you could also use a rod made from a sturdy strip of plastic or even a shoelace. It should be thin enough that it can fit through the door seam, and long enough to reach the lock button.

Create a slip knot on the string (a sliding knot that cinches tightly when pulled). The loop of the slip knot in front of the lock button. Gently wiggle back and forth the string by putting the slip knot placed over the lock button in forward and back motions until the knob located on the inside of the door opens.

This trick may not work in all cases however it's an ideal solution for many cars. It's particularly helpful for cars that have the locking mechanism located on the side of the door instead of at the top. If your car has knobs on the top of the door, this method may also be able to help you if you've got the appropriate tool at hand. 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, there's a possibility that you have installed the new battery incorrectly. You should take the new battery into the dealership to be installed to ensure that it's the correct one for your vehicle.

If you're trying to reset the key, you'll require another working one. Sit in the driver's chair and put your blank key close by. Push the small silver tab at the back of the key fob to open the metal keys, then remove the batteries. Replace the battery and make sure that it's the right way up (the negative end should be on the outside).

After you've replaced your new key battery then turn on the car. Press the lock and unlock buttons on your fobs in order to program them into your vehicle's computer. When all the fobs are programmed, then you can go back to your car and lock it in the same way as you normally do. It is essential to turn off your ignition to complete the program. If you delay too long, the car may not be able to execute all its commands.

Replacing the Locks

Being locked out of your vehicle is an enormous hassle, and it can be expensive to replace the keys. Locksmiths can charge more than $150 for the key fob. The dealer will charge around $150. The best way to avoid this is to keep your spare key in a safe location, or to buy a smart lock for your mini cooper to unlock it using your mobile.

Replacing the door lock actuator can be an easy DIY project for most however it takes a little bit of work and patience. The first step is to take off the old actuator by grabbing it from the 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. The rod connects to a clip in the actuator. It can be difficult to locate and put back into place this part which is why it is advised to keep the window rolled down while you work on it.

Then, take off the cover and the old battery. Then, install the new battery and replace the cover. Install the actuator, making sure that the star end of the control rod fits into the fitting at the top of the actuator. It's a tight fit so you may have to use some force to get it to fit. After this your doors should be locked and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they do not then you'll need to call an expert locksmith or dealer for assistance.