What is a Smart Key Car Key?

Smart keys are also known as proximity keys or key fobs. They function to unlock doors as well as start engines without having to insert a physical keys. They communicate with each other through radiofrequency signals.

This helps keep cars secure by blocking hotwiring. Smart keys also broadcast unique encrypted signals to block them from being used by other vehicles owned by drivers.

Convenience

You can lock and unlock your vehicle without having to insert the key into the ignition slot. Simply press the handle on the trunk or door. A lot of modern cars include a feature that permits you to start your car remotely. This is particularly helpful if you're bringing groceries into the vehicle or transporting passengers or equipment.

This technology is designed to prevent vehicle theft. Smart keys transmit encrypted signals instead of a single frequency like a standard keyfob. How Stuff Works Electronics explains that it is impossible for other cars to receive and responding the same signal.

Some manufacturers also include an electronic chip in the vehicle which recognizes the unique fingerprint of each key. This ensures that only authorized users use it. This is useful if you lend your car to family members and friends.

Some smart keys can also store user settings, ensuring that seat, steering wheel, mirror and stereo presets can be automatically set when the key is within reach of the car. To make things easier, some smart keys can be set to stop the vehicle from exceeding a specific speed limit when started using that specific key. This is a great way to protect new drivers and also beneficial if you have children in the back of the vehicle.

Security

Traditionally keys were made from metal to open the ignition. smart car key replacement keys eliminate this need. Smart keys have a special chip which sends an antenna signal to your car. The car can detect this signal when the driver presses on the trunk release or door handle. It is now impossible to lock the keys inside your vehicle.

The signal that the smart key transmits to your car is encrypted, which means that only the owner is able to use it. In addition, many models will stop the engine if the vehicle was not launched in the past few minutes. This feature is especially useful if you are in an unsafe location or need to leave your vehicle for any reason.

Furthermore, if the smart key battery runs out during a journey, many systems come with a backup plan of opening and starting the vehicle. The backup system typically involves placing the key into an opening or keeping it near a specific part of the cockpit, which transfers energy to an electric motor. Some manufacturers also have an key blade that is an emergency mechanical lock in the key which can be used to open the trunk and start the car in case of need.

Battery Life

The majority of newer cars come with keyless entry as well as push-button starting systems operated by a smart key fob that utilizes proximity technology to connect with the car. These systems are powered by a small transmitter which is powered by a lithium coin-sized battery. It will eventually have to be replaced as with any other battery.

Although smart key fobs are made to last for years however, they can suddenly lose power. If the fob is dead, you won't be able to lock or start the car, even if you put it close to the front door, and the key fob's light blinks.

It's not uncommon for the transmitter in a smart key to drain the battery. The smart key sends the signal each when you press the button. But most of the time, it doesn't do anything. One single lock/unlock button takes just a tiny portion of the battery power in the fob and, therefore, there's many years of signals' worth of battery life in an average smart car key programming near me key battery.

The fob will also drain the battery when it is placed in proximity to other devices that emit electromagnetic fields like phones and computers. These gadgets emit magnetic fields of their own which can cause interference and slow down the fob's transmitter. RepairPal reports that the fob could not function if it's placed too close to the gadgets.

Maintenance

Unlike the traditional metal car key, a smart one utilizes technology to control the locks on your vehicle and perform some other functions. It functions by transmitting an electronic signal from the fob to antennas inside and outside the vehicle. These antennas receive the signal and communicate with your car's computer. The car interprets the signal allowing you to start or open it without the physical key.

New vehicles are loaded with the latest electronic technology and the fob is now the hub for many of these functions. The most obvious uses include locking and unlocking your car, remote starting and chirping to help you locate your vehicle in a parking lot. Some fobs let you store specific settings for different drivers and open windows remotely and sunroofs.

The fob itself is a specialized device with an integrated circuit board and it could be damaged by repeated use or exposure to heat or cold. The transmitter can break if hit or dropped. The battery contacts could be bent.

These issues can be difficult to identify and repair. You can use your smartphone to solve this issue and determine if it's working. However it is important to keep a spare key in your wallet in a case. You can buy an ordinary smart key replacement that's up to 70 percent less than OEM keys and comes with a three-year warranty.