Smart Car Key: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Smart Keys For Cars
A smart key is a wireless car remote which works without the traditional mechanical blade and can unlock the doors and open the trunk from some distance. It also lets you start the vehicle without having to turn a key.
Most smart keys come with indicators for the battery which alert you to the low battery well ahead of time. It's simple to replace the battery without any special tools.
Convenience
Smart keys can unlock doors or trunks, and also turn on the engine of the car without the need to use a metal key. They also have features designed to help deter break-ins and theft of vehicles, such as a panic button, which creates a loud sound to deter people who may be suspicious of thieves in isolated areas, such as underground garages with parking.
Key fobs can do all this by sending radio signals between the car and the key fob by using a low-power wireless technology. This is an excellent feature, particularly for drivers on the go who don't have a lot of time.
A smart key is usually designed to look more like an plastic card rather than a key, and it can be used to open the trunk or car's doors when the fob's button is pressed. Some of them even come with an integrated touchscreen that allows drivers to control certain settings on their vehicle, like audio and climate.
The RFID signal transmitted between the key fob to a car is unique, encrypted and linked to the computer in the car this makes it virtually impossible for hackers with the latest technology to hotwire a stolen vehicle equipped with one. These fobs are also programmable to transmit a different frequency each time they're used so that the computer can't recognize the previous one as the true signal.
Security
Many people are hesitant to adopt digital car keys for the reason that they worry about security. While having a physical key fob on hand may feel safer, it's important to know that digital keys are also more secure than you think. Digital keys are encrypted and the signal they send to a car is verified by an onboard computer. The car won't begin if the smart key fob is damaged.
Smart keys, unlike traditional key fobs, function by using the built-in antennas of your car to communicate with it and perform basic functions like unlocking and launching your vehicle. This system lets you gain access to your vehicle without a physical key inserted into the lock or ignition.
Most systems provide an alternative method to start and open your car if you lose your smartkey or battery dies. For example, emergency starting can be accomplished by placing the key into a slot or putting it in a particular spot in the cockpit, which is where an inductive coil which can transfer energy is hidden.
Additionally, the majority of smart keys have a low battery indicator that warns you before it completely dies. You can easily replace the battery on your own if needed.
Auto-adjusting settings
Instead of using the physical keys for your car, smart keys use radio waves to unlock and lock the car. The smart key can also remotely start the engine and monitor your vehicle's location if you forget where you left it.
Certain smart keys are programmed to automatically adjust the interior and exterior of the vehicle in accordance with the key it detects. For instance the car will recognize the type of key you're using and then automatically adjust the seat position, mirror settings, and climate control. This is helpful if you have multiple drivers or want to restrict certain features when you lend your car to a novice driver.
Smart keys also have the benefit of encryption to stop theft. This is not a possibility with traditional keys. This technology makes it extremely difficult for thieves with the latest technology to steal a vehicle by replicating the frequency of a valid signal, reports How Stuff Works Electronics. Smart keys send a unique, encrypted message every time the vehicle's remote is unlocked.
The battery of a smart key will eventually wear out like any other battery-powered device. Most of the systems are equipped with a backup plan to open the car and start it if the battery fails. The emergency method is different, but usually involves either holding the key within the range of the lock sensor or pressing the button on the key which activates the emergency starter.
Battery Backup
Modern smart keys are called keyless entry systems or passive entry. They utilize a transmitter to unlock your vehicle. The transmitter is built into the key fob you carry around and the receivers are situated in your vehicle as well as around the outside. The receivers pick up the radio frequency signals sent by your smart key when you get close to the vehicle and activate the ignition and doors.
This system has many advantages, like not having to look in the dark for keys, however it is also vulnerable to attacks of a certain type. How Stuff Works Electronics reports that if the battery in your key goes out or is damaged it is possible for someone to pick up its low-frequency transmission signal and open your vehicle. The majority of smart keys come with encrypted signals, which makes hacking more difficult.
If you notice that the smart key fob you purchased does not work properly, this could be due to an issue with interference. In this scenario you should not place your key in proximity to such devices until the battery in the fob has been replaced. Most smart keys will inform you when their batteries are low and the replacement procedure is quite simple.