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Types of Ignition Key Replacement The simplest kind of car key is the blade style that you insert into an ignition lock cylinder in order to start your vehicle. These keys are used in older cars, however modern models feature transponder chips that must be programmed into the vehicle to function. These keys can be replaced by a dealer or a locksmith. They can provide an replacement with your car's VIN number. Transponder Keys Transponder chips are almost always present in vehicles built within the last 20 years. This technology is a perfect combination of electronic and mechanical security. It operates by transmitting a coded signal to the vehicle whenever you insert your key into the ignition. The engine control unit examines this code against its internal database to determine if you are the legitimate owner of the vehicle. If it is, the car will start. The process takes place in milliseconds and is unnoticeable to the naked eye. You will see a small chip on the front of your key if it is transponder. Inserting the key into your ignition and turning it on is the most efficient method to test. If your vehicle responds, that means that the key has been programmed and has been successfully verified as a valid transponder key. The reason this adds an additional layer of security is because while traditional keys rely on matching the lock tumblers, transponder chips actually transmit an electronic signal to the car's computer. This is a way to prevent people from hot-wiring their cars by ensuring that the right key is used. To reprogram a transponder device it is necessary to follow a few simple steps. First, ensure that the key is in good working state and put it away. Then, you can insert the blank key into the ignition and turn the key to the “on” position. It should remain there for around 15 minutes, then switch off the ignition. After 15 minutes, you are able to try to start the car once more. If it isn't starting then you'll need to repeat the procedure of turning off and on the car. Reprogramming a transponder car key is more difficult and costly than replicating mechanical keys. You will also need to cut your key professionally and a key programmer is needed to take the code and then match it to a transponder that is new. Smart Keys Keys Smart keys let drivers unlock doors and start their engines with a single touch, without the need to put the key in the ignition. The fob is equipped with a transponder that communicates with an immobilizer in the car, disarming it so the car can start. The fob is usually equipped with remote control buttons that control door locks, release the trunk and open tailgates. Some include a panic switch that, when pressed, blasts the horn of the vehicle in order to scare away intruders. Like all technology smart keys have their advantages and disadvantages. They offer convenience and increased security, especially for those who tend to forget to lock their vehicle. These features can help you save money over the course of time. Smart keys aren't just an effective way to keep thieves from stealing cars as well, but they can help you avoid the age-old phrase, “it's somewhere in here.” Instead of using a metal key shaft smart keys communicate with your car via radio frequency signals. Therefore, they cannot be duplicated using the traditional key cut. However, this does not mean that you won't be able to find the key if it should occur to be lost. Depending on the manufacturer, smart keys may be more expensive than traditional groove cut keys based on the manufacturer. The main reason is that smart keys have built-in electronic components, making them more complex and difficult to repair in the event of malfunction. Pop-A Lock can replace and program smart keys for a fraction of what your dealer would charge. We can complete the process in a shorter amount of time, and you won't be having to plan alternative transportation while your vehicle is being repaired. So, if you're considering getting a smart key for your car, do yourself a favour and purchase a spare fob to keep in a safe place, or invest in motor insurance that has a substantial payment in case you lose your keys. Make car ignition switch repair to keep it out of reach from the eyes of anyone who might be watching – low frequency transmissions can allow someone to pick up the signal and steal your car, reports How Stuff Works Electronics. Switchblade Keys When it is time to replace the ignition key there are a number of different options available. The traditional key is the most popular one, and has an iron shaft with distinct notches or cutouts that correspond with lock tumblers on the ignition cylinder and door. They are not equipped with advanced features like remote unlocking and keyless entry, but are safe and simple to use. Transponder keys, on other hand, are a significant advancement in security technology. These keys feature an electronic chip inside the head of the key that communicates with a receiver in the vehicle and allows it to start only when the correct code is transmitted. This type of key is very efficient in reducing automotive crime. The procedure of programming a key and transponder for a locksmith who is experienced is fairly simple. Another kind of key is the flip-style key that is designed to tuck the key blade inside an enclosure when not in use. This will protect the blade of the key from damage and makes it more convenient to carry. This type of key features a key fob that includes remote control features. Drivers can lock and unlock car doors, trunks, and start their engines remotely. For those looking for a new protection against car theft, a laser cut key is available. These keys have their shanks cut by a laser, creating an extremely precise and difficult to replicate pattern. Although these keys are more expensive than standard key fobs and traditional keys, they also offer more protection against theft by unauthorised users. Switchblade keys are also available, which resemble bladed weapons, and can fold up into a handle when they are not being employed. When the user presses a button, the handle snaps open and exposes the key blade as a switchblade knife would. A locksmith can replace either the key blade or the key fob portion of this type of key, however they can be slightly more expensive than simple replacements. Smart keys are the most recent technology in security for cars that provides a completely electronic system for unlocking and starting your car. They communicate with the vehicle using antennas that are inserted into the car's frame and body, removing the need for a traditional key blade, and the need to physically insert the key into the ignition cylinder. Some of the most advanced models can lock and start the car without being inserted in the ignition. However you must be in the range of. Key Fobs Key fobs function as remotes that allow you to lock and start your car without touching the ignition. They are usually small, rectangular, and have buttons that can perform a variety of functions, from locking the doors to remotely starting the vehicle. They attach to the car keys via tiny plastic cases that could also include buttons to open the trunk or set off an alarm. Some cars of recent years also come with keys that can be combined to provide the traditional key shank as well the key fob, the latter typically controlling the ignition. These are also referred to as “transponder keys.” Many modern car owners utilize their keys to gain access to their vehicle, and a lot people don't even know they're doing it. These gadgets can be a great way to make driving more convenient, but they also have some downsides. The most obvious problem is that the battery of the key fob can die. The electronic signals that unlock your car and start it work by sending a code to the car's computer therefore, when the signal is disrupted or is lost the key fob won't be able to operate the car. Fortunately, most modern key fobs are built to be resilient against such threats. They are typically programmed to send random numbers to the car's system each time they transmit signals. This stops old codes from being reused and renders stolen keys useless to thieves. A key fob could be used as a backup device to unlock and start the car, in the event that your key is lost. Some manufacturers have gone one step further and offer apps that can be downloaded onto phones and used to control a car in the event that you're unable to find your key fob. If you have an old key fob that requires to be replaced, it is recommended to contact a professional locksmith. They will be able to help you out, and their services tend to be cheaper than dealerships.