Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper

As technology improves the days of turning a 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. If you need to replace a car key quickly, a mobile locksmith who is trained is the best option.

You can also purchase spare keys from a dealer. However it must be programmed to your specific vehicle before activation. This can only be done by locksmiths who have access to your VIN and registration or title.

Lost or Stolen Keys

mini cooper key replacement mini keys (just click for source) Cooper owners choose their Mini Coopers due to their high resale value, low maintenance requirements and excellent gas mileage. However, just like every other car, their keys can go missing or stop working. If this happens, a reliable locksmith will assist you.

Modern vehicles come with remote key fobs which can be used to open doors and start engines. These keys are connected to an immobiliser system that stops your vehicle from driving in the event that the correct key isn't present. It's costly to replace it when you lose it.

Modern car models include an electronic chip embedded in their key fobs that talks to the transponder in your car's engine. This chip has a unique code that only matches the code in your car. If you require a replacement chip, it needs to be programmed for your car by a dealer who is authorized, or a locksmith with the right tools.

The process of replacing your keys at a dealer could be expensive however, it's often the only option. A mobile locksmith can make keys for you at lower cost in particular when your title or registration is available to prove that you own the car.

Unlocking Your Car

You could ruin your day when you realize you've locked your keys in your car. You could be waiting for someone to show up and unlock the door or for a tow-truck to arrive. There are a few smart tricks that you can use to save time and money.

The first thing you need to do is locate a long, thin rod. You can use a wire clothes hanger however, you could also use a rod that is made from a strong piece of plastic, or shoelace. It should be thin enough it to pass through the door's seams and sufficient in length to reach the lock button.

Tie a slip knot in the string (a sliding knot that tightens when pulled). Place the loop of the slip knot over the lock button. Gently wiggle the string with the knot on top of the lock button in back-and-forth motions until the knob inside the door opens.

This trick may not work in every case, but it's a good alternative for a lot of cars. This trick is especially useful when the locking mechanism of the car is situated on the side rather than at the top. If your car does have an opening knob on the top of the door, this method may also be able to help you if you've got the right tool on hand. Be careful not to damage the car.

Resetting Your Key Fob

It is possible to reset your key fob in the event that you change the battery or lose it. In most cases, this won't affect the functionality of your key, however should it not work immediately there's a chance that you have installed the new battery in a wrong way. You should take the new battery into the dealership to be installed to confirm that it's a suitable one for your car.

It is essential that you have a working key to use while you're trying to reset yours. Then, sit in the driver's seat and set the new blank key somewhere close. Then, push the small silver tab on the back of the key fob and pull out the metal key and then take the battery from its place. Replace the battery with a fresh one, and make sure it's the right side up (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).

Once you've replaced the new key battery, turn the car on. Press the lock and unlock buttons on each of your fobs in order to program them using the vehicle's computer. Once all fobs have been programmed, they can return to your vehicle and lock it in the same way as you normally do. Make sure you turn off the ignition afterward to end the programming process in case you are waiting too long between actions could cause your car to erase all its commands.

Replacing the Locks

It's a pain to be locked out of your vehicle and it can be costly to replace keys. The dealer will charge around $150 for a new key fob, and locksmiths might charge more. It is best to keep your spare keys in a safe location, or purchase a smartlock for your mini cooper to unlock it with your phone.

Replacing the door lock actuator could be a DIY project for a lot of people however it takes some effort and perseverance. The first step is to take off the old actuator by grabbing it from the inside and pulling it out. Remove the push rod that is attached to the manual lock. It's a long rod with black plastic on one end. This rod goes into an actuator clip. It isn't easy to locate and then 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. Install the new battery and then replace the cover. Install the actuator and ensure that the slant end of your control rod is inserted into the fitting on the top of the actuator. It's a tight fit and you may need to use some force to bring it into place. After doing this your doors should be locked and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they don't work, you'll require a certified locksmith or the dealership for assistance.