What You Should Know About Smart Keys

Smart keys, also referred to as keys that are digital or information keys, allow drivers to access their vehicle without having to fiddle with the traditional keyhole. Some vehicles come with them as standard features, whereas others offer them as an upgrade option.

The technology is also more sophisticated than a traditional key fob. Certain systems have emergency start features that allow you to open the car and start the engine without having a key fob (or even the traditional one). The best systems also include indicators for batteries that alert you when the battery is low.

Security

Smart keys are more comfortable than traditional fobs and also come with additional security and safety features. They make use of radio-frequency identification or RFID, to communicate with the computer system in your car. An antenna on your car detects the signal from the key when it's within range, allowing you to unlock your doors and start your engine without having to pull out your phone or press the button.

While this may seem like a great idea however, car thieves can hack into the system to open your doors and start the engine. Certain manufacturers employ a technique called "rolling codes" which prevent this from occurring. The code is projected from the key to the starter and verified by the car's computer prior starting. This prevents thieves from creating multiple copies of the key.

Another way to keep your car safe is to ensure that you do not place the key and mobile phone in the same pocket. If you place the two devices too close together can block the signals, stopping them from sending signals properly.

The KeySmart Pro has a built in Tile that will help you locate your phone. When you place the Smart Key next to your iPhone with the app installed and press the activation button, it will cause the Tile to play a brief tune and flash an LED. This can be life-saving in case you've lost your phone in a dark space or even if it is on silent mode.

Convenience

In addition to locking and unlocking your car Smart keys can also be used to store and recall individualized settings like mirror, seat and wheel position. Some, like BMW's Comfort Access, even allow you to start your car without having press the ignition button.

Modern smart key repair keys use radio waves to communicate with antennas within the car, sending a unique encrypted signal that is then interpreted by the car's computer. These signals can be modified to perform various functions, such as opening and closing the trunk or activating an electronic child lock.

This technology isn't foolproof However, it is not foolproof. Hackers with technical expertise can get the unique identification number of a smartkey through the frequency of its transmission. Fortunately, manufacturers are working to improve the security of the system.

Another benefit is the possibility to remotely lock and unlock your vehicle with a tap of the phone's screen. This lets you save time when loading children or cargo. This can be especially beneficial if you're a parent of teens who are just learning how to drive.

The sleek and compact design of the smartkey is one of its greatest features. This makes it easier to carry compared to other key for smart car organizers, which can be bulky and take up more room than necessary. The KeySmart is quiet and easy to use, removing the annoying jingle.

Battery Life

Typically smart key for car keys last less than regular fobs with key blades (two to three years versus four to six). This is due to the fact that smart keys have to communicate with the car more frequently and at a higher frequency to unlock and turn it on. Smart keys also drain faster when placed near electronic devices that produce electromagnetic fields like computers, phones and screens.

Most smart keys come with batteries backup options. According to Open Road Auto Group most smart keys come with a blade that can be used as a traditional key for doors in the event the battery of the smart key fob fails. Most have a slot that an old-fashioned key can be placed to start the engine in the event that the smart key fob is not working or is dead.

A "power saving mode" is a second smart key for car key backup. If you misplace your smart key while driving, your car will still run even if it's not running. To accomplish this, you must place the smart key flatly against the steering column of your vehicle while pressing the ignition button once. If you have done this correctly, the system will notify the driver that it is low on the key, but still functioning.

Cost

Smart keys aren't always affordable. Many owners of vehicles upgrade to smart keys to increase convenience and security. If you lose a smart key it can cost a fortune to replace it and then reprogramme your vehicle.

Smart keys look like regular keys, however they contain a microchip, which can unlock, lock or start a car without having a physical key. The chip transmits a unique code to the vehicle's system, which then recognizes the code and confirms it prior to beginning the engine.

This technology has been in use for a while however it's not completely. There have been a few instances of thieves stealing cars using this method. The good news is that there are solutions to stop this from occurring. One method is to use a smart car key programmer key with rolling security codes, which changes the code each time it's transmitted.

A key fob that has a display screen is also very expensive. BMW's Display Key, a smart key of this kind is a good example. Its color LCD touchscreen can perform the usual functions of a key fob such as locking, unlocking and keyless start but it can also transmit commands from an iPhone to the systems of the vehicle. This makes it easier to operate the vehicle and keep an eye on charging and location. It can even tell the vehicle to park itself which is an excellent feature for people with limited mobility or disabilities.