What You Should Know About Smart Keys
Smart keys – sometimes called digital keys or information keys – let drivers access their vehicles without fumbling with a keyhole. Certain vehicles come with them as standard features while others offer them for upgrade.
The technology is more advanced than the traditional key fob, as well. Certain systems allow you to start your car without the traditional key fob or even a key. The best systems also include indicators for the battery that warn you when the battery is running low.
Security
Smart keys are more efficient than traditional fobs, and come with additional security and safety features. They make use of radio-frequency identification, or RFID, to communicate with your car’s computer system. When the key is within range of the antenna it is able to unlock the doors and start the car without having to make use of your phone or press the button.
Although this might sound like a convenient feature however, thieves could also hack into the system to open your doors and start the engine. Certain manufacturers employ “rolling code” technology to prevent this. This code is projected by the key onto the starter and then checked by the computer of the car before it starts. This stops thieves from creating multiple copies of the keys.
Another way to ensure that your car safe is to make sure that you don’t place your mobile phone and key in the same pocket. Signals can be blocked if the two devices are too close together.
The KeySmart Pro is a great option to do this since it has a built-in Tile that lets you locate your phone. If you have the application installed on your iPhone and place the Smart Key near it, the press of its activation button causes the Tile to emit a short melody and flash an LED. This could be lifesaving when you’ve lost your phone or if it’s on silent mode.
Convenience
In addition to locking and unlocking your car smart car key coding keys can also store and remember personal settings such as seat, mirror and steering wheel position. Some, like BMW’s Comfort Access, even allow you to start your car without having press the ignition button.
Modern smart keys make use of radio waves to communicate with antennas in the car, transmitting an encrypted, unique signal that is processed by the car’s computer. The signals can be reprogrammed to perform various functions such as opening and closing the trunk or activating children’s locks.
This technology is not foolproof, however. Cybercriminals with the right skills can steal the unique identification number of a smartkey by picking up its frequency transmission. Fortunately, companies are striving to make the system more secure.
A useful feature is that you can remotely lock and unlock your vehicle by tapping the screen of your smartphone. This allows you to save time when loading up children or cargo. This can be particularly beneficial if you’re a parent with teenage kids who are just learning to drive.
One of the greatest features of a smart key is its sleek slim design. This makes it easier to carry compared to other key organizers that can be heavy and take up more room than is necessary. The KeySmart is quiet and easy to use, without the annoying jingle.
Battery Life
Typically smart keys last half as long as regular keys with key blades (two to three years versus four to six). The smart keys must communicate with the vehicle at a greater frequency and at a higher frequency to unlock and start the vehicle. Smart keys can also be drained faster if they are placed near electronic devices such as phones, computers or screens that produce electromagnetic fields.
The majority of smart keys come with battery backup options. According to Open Road Auto Group, the majority of smart keys come with an emergency blade that acts as an old-fashioned key to open the driver’s door in the event that smart key battery dies. They also have a slot that lets you insert traditional keys to turn on the engine in the event that the smart car key programmer (homepage) key is is not working.
Another smart key backup feature is called an “power saving mode.” If you forget to bring your smart key with you while driving, you’ll be able to drive your vehicle as long as the engine isn’t running. In order to do this, you must place the smart key flat against the steering column of your vehicle while pressing the ignition button one time. If you’ve done it correctly, your system will inform the driver that the key is not working but it is still functional.
Cost
While many car owners are switching to smart keys for greater convenience and security, it’s important to know that these features aren’t cheap. If you have lost a smart key it can cost a significant amount to replace it and reprogramme your car.
smart keys for cars keys appear like regular keys, but they contain a microchip which can unlock, lock or start a car without having a physical one. The chip transmits a unique code to the vehicle’s system, which recognizes it and validates it prior to starting the engine.
This technology has been in use for a while, however it isn’t completely fully developed. This method has been employed by thieves to steal vehicles in numerous instances. There are methods to stop this from occurring. One way is to use a smart key that has security codes that roll, which changes the code every time it’s used.
A key fob that has display screens is extremely expensive. BMW’s Display Key, a smart key of this type, is a good example. Its color LCD screen performs all the functions of a typical key fob, like locking, unlocking, and keyless start. But it can also communicate with the vehicle from the smartphone. This makes it easier to use the vehicle, and also keep the track of its charging and its location. It can even command the vehicle smart key to park itself, which is a great feature for those with limited mobility or disabilities.