Caregivers of aging loved ones are often faced with difficult choices. If an elderly parent or loved one is driving in a dangerous manner then it could be the right time to remove the keys to their car.
Many cars have a driver setting set to a particular key. This feature is particularly useful if you share the vehicle with more than one person.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys are found in most modern cars. They add an extra layer of security that keys made of metal aren't able to. These are tiny microchips embedded into your keys. They send a signal to an immobilizer system on the car, allowing it only to start if a valid keys is within reach. This technology has helped to decrease car thefts around the globe.
However, it's not completely safe. Professional thieves have discovered ways to spoof the signals and still wire the vehicle. They can also reuse standard cut key blanks and design their own transponder keys. Even if your car comes with transponder keys, it's worth getting an extra.
A reputable locksmith can create these for you at less than the cost of car dealerships. They'll begin by looking over your key and determining the best methods of copying and programming. The new key can be programmed to work with your vehicle.
A reputable locksmith should also be able to assist with non-transponder or "flat" keys. These keys communicate with your car through mechanical means and not via electronic technology. These keys are easy for kids to play with, and therefore they're less secure. Anyone with a key-cutter may also copy them.
Smart Keys
Many modern vehicles are fitted with smart keys, a form of key fob which performs the basic functions of a remote but also includes extra features. Smart keys have the ability to lock and unlock your vehicle from a distance without you needing to push any buttons. They can also be used to start your engine. These functions work regardless of whether the key is in your pocket or purse.
One of the best parts about smart keys is that they are very secure. Hackers cannot easily take your car because the signals they transmit are encrypted. Furthermore, a computer inside your vehicle validates the rolling code generated by the smart key before it begins the engine.
The Keylab may encounter some bugs since the technology is being developed. If your key and phone are too close, the normal operating signals of your cell could interfere with any signal transmitted by your smart key.
Some smart keys have tiny color touchscreens. BMW is one example. BMW developed the Display Key, which has an LCD screen that allows the driver to perform different functions from the keyfob. These include locking, unlocking and starting. The key also alerts the owner that its battery is low and suggests an upgrade from the dealer.
Keyless Entry
If you're not looking to go as far as a transponder key or smart key A keyless entry system will let you lock and unlock your car at the touch of a button. These systems use radio signals, referred to as RF to communicate with a receiver inside the vehicle. Depending on the type of system used, the signal may also be used to switch on the engine of the vehicle and disarm the security alarm.
Keyless entry can eliminate the need to hide spare keys, which are a major target for thieves. It also prevents you from having to worry about losing or misplacing your car's key, which can occur to anyone at any point. However, you must alter the code frequently to ensure your security.
You can use the app for your key fob or physical key fob to transmit a radio signal that is 315 Megaherz. The signal is scrambled and encrypted before it is transmitted, which means that even if hackers intercept it, they won't be able to gain access to your vehicle.
Some keyless entry kits include active engine start which means that the vehicle will continue to run and start the engine when the key isn't in the range. This is a security feature that is designed to stop your vehicle from running out of gas, as well as to prevent harmful fumes from entering the cabin.
Remote Start
Remote start systems provide convenience and peace of mind, whether the car is parked on the street or in your driveway. With a push of a button on your key fob, or the command "start" from an app it will send the signal to the RES control module to turn on and warm up your engine.
The system can also be used with other features in your vehicle, such as opening and closing windows or altering the temperature of the seats. Some systems are more flexible and incorporate additional channels that can be used to regulate things as power-assisted wheels, automatic climate controls and rear defrost.
The good news is that a majority of seats manufactured after 1995 have a transponder embedded in the key. Therefore, the majority of newer models can be used with remote-start systems. Some older Seat models require a key with an ordinary transponder, and will not work with remote start systems.
Many parents have had the experience when they reach back into the car seat of their child and are unable to press down on the release button that is red. NAMRA has come up with an answer to this problem. It makes it easier to unbuckle even if you're having difficulty pushing down the buckle using your thumb.
