A Car Seat Replacement Key is a Costly and Time Consuming Process
This essential baby registry from namra can help should you ever have trouble trying to remove your child's car seat or know someone who has. It decreases the force needed to push the red button on the buckle and is perfect for those who have long fingers, hand problems and more.
Keys that have been stolen or lost are
Key replacement is a time-consuming and expensive process. In addition to the expense of a new key you might have to get the vehicle towed and have your car's computer chip re-paired with the new key, which can be very costly.
One way to save time and money is to avoid losing your keys in the first place. Consider using a brightly colored reflective piece of your keychain, or painting the bow of your key in a hue that is noticeable. Keep a spare key for your seat in a safe place, just to be certain.
If you find your key lost, try to identify it by looking at the code on the bow of the key. This will help you determine if it is the correct key for the seat you are using.
Transponder Chip Keys
The transponder key, also known as chip keys or key FOB (fob that controls your key) is one of the most commonly used types of keys for cars. They've been in use for more than 20 years and are designed to prevent theft by sending a coded message once inserted into your car's ignition.
Transponders are microchips that are embedded in the plastic cover on your car keys. When G28 is placed into a key FOB or the ignition of a car, it sends an extremely low-level radio signal (ECU) to the vehicle. The ECU recognizes a specific digital serial number on the chip and responds accordingly. If the signal is in line, the engine will then start.
Transponder chips aren't foolproof, but they are a great way of reducing car thefts. The idea behind these types of keys for cars dates back to World War 2 military planes which utilized codes to differentiate them from enemy aircraft.
A locksmith can create a duplicate transponder in the event that you're locked out and require a replacement. This is more difficult than rekeying your regular key, as the chip inside the new key needs to match the receiver inside the car's system. This is why getting duplicate keys from a dealership could be more expensive.
Laser Cut Keys
Contrary to standard mechanical cut keys that only permit the key to be turned in only one direction the laser cut keys feature grooves carved out on both sides. They are more difficult to duplicate and are only inserted in the ignition or lock from either side. These are also known as sidewinder or transponder keys. They offer greater security in the event of theft and are an upgrade from the original chip key or transponder key.
To make a key with a laser the locksmith has to first analyze the cuts on the existing key fob in order to determine what kind of blank must be used. Then, they must set up the key cutting machine to cut the key according to the original cuts. This requires the use of a key-cutting machine that is more sophisticated than the wheel-based duplicators found in hardware stores.
While these are more expensive than a regular key they can provide additional security for your vehicle. Laser keys cannot be duplicated using the same machines that make the standard edge-cut keys. This helps to prevent the practice of "key jumping," where a key is programmed to work on a variety of vehicles and permits it to turn the lock and start the engine. The keys can only be recovered by a professional locksmith or dealership.