5 Laws Everybody In Car Seat Key Should Know
Car Keys For Aging Parents and Loved Ones
Sometimes caregivers of elderly loved ones have to make difficult choices. It may be time to put away the car keys of an elderly parent.
Many cars have a driver setting configured to a particular key. This feature is especially helpful in the event that multiple people are sharing the vehicle.
Transponder Keys
The majority of modern vehicles have transponder keys that provide the security keys made of flat metal aren't able to. These are tiny microchips that are embedded in your key. They send an alert to an immobilizer system in the car, allowing it to start when a set of valid keys is within range. This type of technology has drastically reduced car theft rates around the globe.
But it's not completely safe. Professional thieves have developed ways to fake the signals and still hotwire vehicles. They can also reuse standard cut key blanks and design their own transponder keys. Even if your vehicle comes with an electronic transponder, it's worth purchasing a spare.
A reputable locksmith will make them for you at a fraction of the cost of car dealerships. They'll start by examining your key and determining the best methods of copying and programming. The new key can be programmed to work with your vehicle.
A reputable locksmith should also be able to assist with non-transponder keys or "flat" keys. These keys function mechanically by cutting the sides of the keys and don't utilize any electronic technology to connect with your vehicle. These keys are simpler for children to use, making them less secure. Anyone with a key cutter can also copy them.
Smart Keys Keys
A lot of modern cars are equipped with smart keys, a form of key fob that performs the basic functions of a remote, but it also has additional features. Smart keys are able to lock and unlock your car from a distance without needing to push any buttons. They can also be used to start the engine. These features are functional even if the key is concealed in a pocket or purse.
One of the greatest things about smart keys is that they're very secure. The signals they project are encrypted, which means hackers can't use them to steal your vehicle. A computer in your car also examines the rolling codes projected by the smart keys prior making the engine start.
The technology is in the process of being developed, and you may need to work through a few glitches in the system. If your phone and key are too close to each other, normal operating signals from your phone could interfere with any signal transmitted by your smart key.
Some smart keys feature tiny color touchscreens. For instance, BMW developed the Display Key equipped with a screen which allows the user to perform a variety functions using the key fob including locking, unlocking and starting. The key also alerts the owner when its battery is low and offers to order a replacement from your dealer.
Keyless Entry
If you do not want to go as far as a transponder or smart key, you can secure and unlock your vehicle with the push of a button. These systems make use of radio waves, also known as RF, to communicate the car's receiver. Depending on the system, the signal could also turn on the engine of the car and deactivate the alarm.
Keyless entry makes it impossible to hide spare keys, which can be a prime target for thieves. Also, it stops you from having to worry about losing or misplacing your car key, which can occur to anyone at any point. It is important to change the code often to ensure security.
The way keyless entry works is that you press the button on your physical or app key fob to send out an audio signal of 315 Megaherz. The signal gets encrypted and scrambled prior to being released, so that even if a hacker intercepts it, they won't be able to gain permanent access to your car.
Certain keyless entry kits feature an engine that is not starting, which means the vehicle will continue to run and begin the engine even when the key isn't in range. The KeyLab is designed to keep your car from running out on gas and to prevent poisonous fumes from entering the interior.
Remote Start
If your car is parked in your driveway or parked on the street remote start systems provide security and peace of mind. By pressing the button on your key fob, or a'start' command through an app, the system will send the signal to your vehicle's RES control module, which will activate and warm your engine.
The system can also be used to control heated or cooled seats, or to open and shut windows. Some systems are more flexible and include additional channels that can be used to regulate items as a power-assisted steering wheel, automatic climate controls, and rear defrost.
The good news is that a majority of Seats manufactured since 1995 have transponders embedded in the key. Therefore, the majority of newer models can be used with remote-start systems. However, some older Seat models require a key with an older transponder chip and won't work with remote-start systems.
Most parents have experienced the moment when they reach into the back of their child's vehicle and struggle to push down on the red buckle release button. A company called NAMRA came up with a solution for that problem, making it easier to unbuckle even when you have a hard time pressing down on the buckle using your thumb.