Car Keys For Aging Parents and Loved Ones
Sometimes caregivers of loved ones with a long-term illness have to make difficult choices. If an elderly parent or loved one is driving recklessly then it could be the right time to take away their car keys.
The Key Lab of cars come with a driver's setting that is configured to a specific key. This feature is especially helpful in the event that multiple people are sharing the vehicle.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys are standard in all modern vehicles. They provide an extra layer of security that flat metal keys can't. They are tiny microchips in your keys that send signals to the car's immobilizer system that allows it to start only when a valid, working key is within range. This technology has helped to decrease car thefts around the globe.
However, it's not completely secure. Professional thieves have developed ways to fake the signals while still hotwiring the vehicle. They can also reuse key blanks to create their own transponder. Even if your car is equipped with a transponder, it's worthwhile to get a spare.
A reputable locksmith will make them for you at a fraction the cost of a car dealership. They will look over your key to determine the most efficient methods of copying and programming. They can then program the new key to work with your car.
A reputable locksmith will be able help you with "flat" or non-transponder keys. These are keys that operate mechanically via cuts made on the sides of the keys and don't utilize any electronic technology to connect with your vehicle. These keys are easy for kids to play with, which is why they're less secure. Anyone with a key-cutter may also copy keys.
Smart Keys Keys
Smart keys are the type of key fob used in many modern automobiles. They perform the same functions as a remote control but they have additional features. Smart keys can lock and unlock your car from a distance, without pressing any buttons. You can use them to start the engine. These features work even if the key is in a pocket or purse.
One of the greatest things about smart keys is that they are extremely secure. Hackers aren't able to steal your car since the signals they send are encrypted. A computer in your car also examines the rolling codes projected by the smart keys prior making the engine start.
You may encounter some bugs since the technology is in development. If your phone and key are too close to each other, the normal operating signals from your cell could interfere with any signal transmitted by your smart key.
Some smart keys include tiny touchscreens in color. For instance, BMW developed the Display Key equipped with a screen that lets the driver perform a variety functions via the key fob such as locking, unlocking, and even starting. The key will also alert the owner that their battery is low and will suggest that they purchase an additional one from your dealer.
Keyless Entry
If you do not intend to go as far as a transponder or smart key, you can lock and unlock your car with the push of the button. These systems utilize radio signals, referred to as RF which communicate with a receiver inside the vehicle. Depending on the system, the signal can also turn on the engine of the car and deactivate the alarm.
Using keyless entry eliminates the need to hide spare keys, which can be an important theft target. You won't have to worry about misplacing or losing keys to your car that could occur at any moment. It is important to change the code often to ensure security.
The way that keyless entry works is to press the button on your mobile or physical key fob to send out the radio signal of 315 Megaherz. The signal gets encrypted and scrambled before it's sent out, which means that even if hackers intercept it, they won't be able to gain permanent access to your car.
Some keyless entry kits include the option of passive engine start this means that the car will continue to run and begin the engine when the key isn't in the range. This is a safety feature that's designed to keep your car from running out of gas and also to prevent harmful fumes from getting into the interior of the car.
Remote Start
Remote start systems provide convenience and peace of mind, whether the car is parked on the street or in your driveway. By pressing the button on your key fob or the command "start" from an app that the system sends the signal to the RES control module to start up and warm up your engine.
The system also works to control other functions inside your vehicle, like opening and closing windows or changing the temperature of your heated/cooled seats. Some systems are more flexible and include additional channels that can be used to regulate things as a power-assisted wheel automatic climate controls, and rear defrost.
The good news is that the majority of seats manufactured after 1995 have an embedded transponder within the key. Therefore, the majority of newer models can be used with remote-start systems. However, certain older Seat models require keys with the more basic transponder chip and won't work with remote-start systems.
Many parents have experienced the moment when they get back into the car seat of their child, but are unable to press the red release button. A company called NAMRA created a solution to that problem, making it simpler to remove the buckle even if you have a hard time pressing down on the buckle using your thumb.