How To Make A Profitable Keys Replacement For Cars If You're Not Business-Savvy
Keys Replacement For Cars
You can buy a replacement key for a mechanical one at any hardware store. However, this key will have to be programmed by a locksmith or dealer.
Smart keys are more complicated and require a visit to a dealer to pair them with your vehicle. They are costly however many car insurance companies will cover the cost.
Mechanical Keys
You can still buy mechanical keys for cars which you put into the ignition lock cylinder to start your car. If your car has one of these, replacing the fob and key is fairly inexpensive (if they get lost or stolen).
A locksmith can create the basic key for you at a lower cost than what you'd pay at the dealership. You can also have your neighbor or a friend who knows how to program transponder keys that are made for the aftermarket (which are cheaper than keys made by the factory) cut keys and then program them. It is essential to have a spare because modern cars won't start when a key is not programmed with the correct chip is used.
Transponder keys look like mechanical keys, but they have a hidden electronic chip embedded in the bottom of their plastic form that communicates with the computer system in your vehicle. Your car will accept the code that is on the chip, but will not start if you try to use another code.
If your spare key is equipped with chips, you'll have to bring it to a dealership to get it programmed. The dealership will need an exclusive machine for cutting and programming the key. These machines are only available at specific dealerships, and it is unlikely that a locksmith would have the equipment needed to make a key using a transponder.
It's expensive to replace keys with remotes, especially if require an extra. If you only have the shank of your key missing and a working replacement fob, you can attempt to reprogramme your fob on your own. However, it can be time-consuming and challenging. You're better off contacting a dealer when you've lost the key and the fob.
Other types of car keys require more specialized skills to replace. This includes flip keys as well as smart keys. They are more complex and require replacement by the dealer. Key fobs can be operated by proximity sensors or a spring-loaded door opener.
Transponder Keys
If your car was constructed in the recent 10 years or so it's likely to use transponder keys. The keys are equipped with a microchip and an electronic receiver that is programmed to send a signal to start your vehicle.
Transponder keys are a great way of deterring theft, as they require two components to start the car: the transmitter contained in the key, and the receiver connected to the immobilizer. Without both the key and the immobilizer system being present, the car will not start and is impossible to hotwire.
These key chips are programmed with a serial number that is unique to the vehicle you own. The serial number of the key is then sent to the immobilizer inside the car, and then checked to be in line. If it does the engine starts, it will. The only thing that can stop this security feature is a special device that is able to detect the chip and match it to another vehicle.
You'll need to find a locksmith who has the equipment to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships provide this service, but their overheads make them more costly than an independent locksmith.
It can be difficult to obtain an entirely new key that has a chip. To program your car, the key needs to be programmed using a specific machine. It requires specialized software and the correct key cutter to do the job correctly.
Certain of the more basic chip keys can be cloned at the majority of auto parts stores, but you need to be aware of the serial number of the original key to ensure the proper information is being programmed into the new key. Many people make a mistake by visiting their dealer to purchase an exact copy of a chip-key and end up paying high prices.
Laser-Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys are also known as sidewinder key because of the distinctive winding cut that is made on the shank of the key. They provide an additional layer of security to your car. Keys like these are a great deterrent to auto theft because they require specialized machinery to duplicate.
They also come with built-in chips that prevent unauthorised key copying from launching your car. They also typically have a unique code on the key, which needs to be programmed to your specific vehicle in order to unlock and start it. This extra layer of security will guard your investment and prevent thieves from trying to steal your car for parts or to sell it.
Laser-cut keys differ from mechanically cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves cut on the key. The key shaft is also larger, which is a sign that this is not an ordinary car key. Locksmiths usually employ milling machines to cut these keys. It's akin to a drill bit and it's designed to remove metal with precise angles.
G28 are the most secure keys that you can purchase for your vehicle. They are difficult to duplicate and must be cut by a licensed locksmith or dealer. In contrast to traditional keys, they're constructed from a tiny piece of steel that's cut into a shape and then cut using the laser in the factory. This kind of key is able to be able to withstand a great deal of wear and tear, and is one of the best options to protect your vehicle.
Depending on the key, it can either fold into the fob or pop out at the touch of a button. Keys like these are commonly used in German cars and offer an extra layer of protection against car thieves. They also make it very difficult for thieves to pick your vehicle or pick-lock it because the cylinder is extremely tough and difficult to break into.
Smart Keys
Unlike the traditional single piece of metal, smart keys make use of radio-frequency identification, or RFID for short, to communicate with the car. They come with a chip with an individual code, which is encoded on every key. When you open your car doors or pop the trunk the key sends a signal to your car's onboard computer. The computer then signals the correct frequency, allowing you to access your car and begin it.
The chip in the smart key is equipped with several security features to guard it from theft. First, the key emits a low-frequency signal that can't be detected by any receiver but your vehicle. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will prompt another one that is a unique sequence that only your vehicle can comprehend. This stops a tech-savvy criminal from using a pulse generator to "fool the system" and perform the work on other vehicles.
Some smart keys have special features, like the ability to store preferences for drivers, opening windows remotely or the sunroof via remote, and many more. These features are accessible by activating the proximity sensor on the key fob by pressing a button, or, in certain instances it is as simple as twisting a tiny piece of metal inside the key.
Certain key fobs can be opened by placing the dead key in a slot or by placing it in proximity to an inductive coil that is located on the dashboard. Some key fobs have a mechanical (fully emergency) key blade that is inside the key.
Replacing a key with a smart chip usually requires a visit to the dealer, who will either have the replacement on hand or make it available for you to purchase. They'll also have to program the new key to recognize your vehicle. You can also go to a locksmith for the replacement key fob to be programmed and then replaced. Locksmiths may cost more than the dealer, but they'll be able to do the job quicker and less expensively.