Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper

The days of turning the key to operate your vehicle are becoming less common as technology advances. Instead, we now use remote programming options. Even these are susceptible to fail and require assistance from a professional. A mobile locksmith who is trained and skilled is the best choice for fast replacement of your car key.

You can also buy a spare key at a dealer. However, it will need programming to your specific vehicle before activation. This is only possible through an authorized locksmith who has access to your VIN and registration or title.

Keys lost or stolen

The owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose them for their great gas mileage, low maintenance needs and a high resale value. Similar to other cars Mini Cooper keys can get lost or cease to function. If this happens, a reputable locksmith will assist you.

Modern vehicles rely on remote key fobs that allow you to open doors and begin their engines. These keys are connected to an immobiliser that stops the vehicle from operating in the event that the correct key isn't present. 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 the engine of your car. The chip is equipped with a code that is unique to your vehicle. If you get a replacement, it will have to be programmed to the specific car, which requires an authorised dealer or a locksmith equipped with the right tools.

It can be expensive to replace your keys with an auto dealer, but it is usually the only option. A mobile locksmith can create you a key for a much lower price, especially when your registration or title is available to prove that you own the car.

Unlocking Your Car

The horrifying realization that you locked your keys inside your car could cause a lot of stress and leave you stuck waiting for an tow truck or 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 a long, skinny rod. A wire clothes hanger is ideal, however you can also use an iron rod made of an incredibly strong strip of plastic or even a shoelace. It should be thin enough that it can fit through the door's seam and long enough to reach the lock button.

Create a slip knot on the string (a sliding knot that tightens when pulled). The loop from the slip knot onto the lock button. Be gentle and gently wiggle the string while putting the slip knot placed over the lock button in forward and back motions until the knob on the inside of the door opens.

This trick might not work in all cases however it's a good solution for many automobiles. This method is particularly useful when the locking mechanism of the car is situated on the side, rather than the top. If you have a knob located on the top of your door, you could also make use of this method when you have it. Be sure not to cause damage to your vehicle in the process.

Resetting Your Key Fob

If you lose the key fob, or change the battery, you may need to reset it. It's not likely to impact the function of your key, but if it doesn't work immediately, there's a possibility that you installed the new battery incorrectly. It's best to bring the battery to the dealer to have it installed so that they can verify that it is matched up with your car.

If you're trying to reset the key, you'll need another working one. You should sit in the driver's chair and place the blank key near by. Then, push the small silver tab on the back of your key fob, and take out the key made of metal then remove the battery from its place. Replace the battery and be sure that it's the correct way up (the negative end should be on the outside).

After you've replaced your new key battery Turn the car on. Press the lock and unlock buttons on your fobs to program them into the vehicle's computer. When all of the fobs have been programmed, you are able to return to your car and lock it just as you would normally. Make sure to turn off the ignition immediately afterward to stop the program, as waiting too long between actions could cause your car to wipe out all of its settings.

Replace the locks

Being locked out of your vehicle is a big problem, and it could be costly to replace keys. Locksmiths may charge more than $150 for a key fob. The dealer will charge about $150. The best way to avoid this is to store your spare key in a secure place, or to purchase a smart lock for your mini key cooper so that you can unlock it with your phone.

It is possible to replace the door lock actuator yourself, but it takes some patience and work. The first step is to take off the old actuator by reaching inside and pulling it out. Make sure to take out the push rod for the manual lock that is a rod with an elongated black plastic tip on one end, which is then inserted into an actuator clip. It isn't easy to locate and put back into place this part, so it is best to keep the window shut down while you work on it.

Next, remove the cover from the battery and then remove the old battery. Then, you can install the new battery and replace the cover. Install the actuator and ensure that the slant end of the control rod fits into the fitting on the top of the actuator. You may need to apply some force to push the actuator into place. After that the doors should lock and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they do not, you'll need to contact a locksmith or the dealer for assistance.