5 Smart Car Key Programming Lessons Learned From The Professionals

Vehicle Smart Key Technology The smart key technology in vehicles allows drivers to unlock and start the car by grabbing the door handle or putting the key in the pocket. It also allows a variety of other adjustments like seats positions as well as internal temperature settings mirror position and stereo presets. This could also create security concerns. Security Smart keys are electronic keys that communicate with a vehicle via one of the antennas that are embedded in the vehicle to open doors and to start the engine. Smart key fobs, as opposed to conventional keys that emit the same frequency every time they're pulled, transmit encrypted signals that are only compatible with the specific car to which they belong to. This makes it much more difficult for tech-savvy thieves to spoof or intercept the signal and use the key to take your car. Mercedes' Keyless Go system for instance, comes with an internal transponder that can identify the driver's keys. When the Smart Key comes within 1.5 meters of a vehicle it will automatically unlock the door and tailgate and starts the engine when a button on the key is pressed. Additionally some smart keyssuch as those from BMW come with individual user settings that let the driver adjust the seat, mirrors and steering wheel position and audio preferences at the click of the button. They also have a backup lock that prevents the vehicle from starting without the key in the ignition. This technology assists drivers from locking their car, especially when fumbling in a purse or backpack to find keys in a parking area packed with people or on an area with high crime rates. Many systems also notify motorists when their keys are not fully charged, however this feature is dependent on the manufacturer. Convenience The smart key is perfect for those in a rush to get somewhere. By pressing the button on the trunk release or door handle, you can unlock, lock and open your vehicle. Popular Mechanics explains that the key fob can also be used to monitor charging, location, and other information about your vehicle. A major benefit is that you won't accidentally get locked out. The key fob communicates with an antenna in the vehicle to determine whether it's in range. If not, the engine will not start. This will deter thieves from absconding with your vehicle and selling its parts. BMW reports that the smart key makes use of rolling codes to ward off hacking and cloning. A computer within the vehicle reads the code and validates it prior to launching the engine. The majority of systems also have a mechanical backup in the form of a key blade that's hidden to serve as a styling tool. Modern smart keys can also tell which keys are in use and adjust the vehicle settings as needed, according to How Stuff Works Electronics. For example, if you switch on the car while holding the key fob in your hands, the windows and sunroof can be opened to ventilate the cabin. You can also set a speed limit that will only be applied when the vehicle is powered by the selected key. This feature can be useful when you lend your vehicle to a person who has no prior experience. Battery Life If you're looking for a way to get more mileage out of your vehicle's smart key, or just want to make sure it won't die during a trip to the grocery store, you can activate an auto manufacturer-specific feature called Power Saving Mode. To do this, hold the lock button down and then press the unlock button. This will block your smart key fob from transmitting or receiving radio signals, which will extend its battery's life considerably. You can always reactivate this feature by pressing the unlock and lock buttons once more. Some smart keys include anti-theft capabilities that prevent them from being stolen by thieves. Mercedes-Benz smart keys employ rolling codes to stop unauthorized access. The car's computer will check the code every millisecond after the smart key is inserted. BMW makes use of a Display Key that has a small LCD screen with a color. This allows drivers to lock their cars, unlock them, and start them without taking the smart key from their pocket. Contact Pop-Alock if you need to replace the battery on your smart key fob, or considering purchasing a car with smart-key. Our mobile locksmiths can change the battery of any smart key and help you set it up so that your car recognizes it. Special Cases Smart keys aren't 100% safe from theft, but they can assist in preventing thieves. Smart keys are designed to deter hackers from hacking the system. When placed in the ignition of the vehicle the computer checks the code in milliseconds. G28 -Benz developed this technology, which is currently used by luxury car manufacturers. Another great feature is that many smart key systems will continue to operate if the user forgot the key in the trunk or left it in the restaurant or if it is lost during a hike. Some systems will also notify the driver when the battery is running low. Certain brands also offer key covers designed specifically for smart keys, to shield the fob from damage.