Car Keys For Aging Parents and Loved Ones
Sometimes, caregivers of loved ones in their senior years have to make difficult choices. If an elderly parent or loved one is driving unsafely or is driving recklessly, it might be time to remove their car keys.
Many cars have a driver's settings which is set to a specific key. This feature is especially useful if you are sharing the vehicle with a number of people.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys are common in most modern cars. They add an extra layer of security to the car that regular keys cannot. They are tiny microchips in your key that send a signal to the car's immobilizer system that allows it to start only when a valid, working key is within reach. This technology has helped reduce car thefts all over the globe.
It's not an absolute guarantee. Professional thieves have come up with ways to disguise the signals while still hotwiring vehicles. They can also use standard cut key blanks and create their own transponder keys. Even if the vehicle you're driving with a transponder, it's worth purchasing a spare.
A reputable locksmith will make these keys for you at much less than the price of car dealerships. They'll begin by examining your key and determining the best method of copying and programming. The new key can be programmed to work with your vehicle.
A reputable locksmith may also be able help you with "flat" or non-transponder keys. These keys function mechanically by cutting the sides of the key and do not use any electronic technology to connect with your vehicle. These keys are easy for children to use which makes them less secure. Anyone with a key cutter can also copy them.
Smart Keys
Smart keys are a kind of key fob found in a lot of modern vehicles. They perform the same functions as a remote control however, they come with additional features. Smart keys are able to unlock and lock your vehicle from a distance, without pressing any buttons. They can also be used to start your engine. These features function even if you have the key in your pocket or purse.
Smart keys are extremely secure. The signals they project are encrypted, which means that hackers can't use them to steal your vehicle. A computer in your car also examines the rolling codes that are projected by the smart keys before getting the engine started.
You could encounter some glitches since the technology is being developed. If your key and phone are too close to each other, normal operating signals of your cell could interfere with any signal transmitted by your smart key.
Some smart keys feature a small color touch screen. BMW is one example. BMW created the Display Key, which has an LCD that allows the driver to perform various functions using the keyfob. These include locking, unlocking and starting. seat leon key fob replacement informs the owner when its battery is low and offers to order a replacement from your dealer.
Keyless Entry
If you don't want go quite as far as transponder or smart key Keyless entry systems can allow you to lock and unlock your car at the push of a button. These systems use radio waves, also known as RF to transmit signals to an internal receiver within the vehicle. Depending on the system, the signal can also trigger the engine of the vehicle and also deactivate the alarm.
Keyless entry makes it impossible to hide spare keys, which are a prime target for thieves. It also stops you from having to worry about losing or misplacing your car's key that could occur to anyone at any time. It is recommended to change the code often to ensure security.
You can use the app for your key fob or a physical key fob to transmit a radio signal that is 315 Megaherz. The signal gets encrypted and scrambled before being released, so that even if a hacker intercepts it, they won't be able to gain permanent access to your car.
Certain keyless entry systems have active engine starting, which means that the car will start and start even if the key isn't within range. This is a safety feature that's designed to keep your car from running out of gas, as well as to prevent harmful fumes from getting into the interior of the car.
Remote Start
No matter if your car is parked in your driveway or in the street remote start systems provide peace of mind and convenience. With the push of a button on your key fob or the command "start" from an app the system will send the signal to the RES control module to turn on and warm up your engine.
This system also functions to control other functions inside your vehicle, like opening and closing windows, or setting the temperature of heated or cooled seats. Certain systems are more flexible and come with auxiliary channels which can be used to control items like power-assisted steering wheels, automatic climate control, and rear defrost.
The positive side is that the majority of seats made after 1995 have a transponder embedded in the key. This means that the majority of the newer models can be used with remote-start systems. Some older Seat models require a key that has a basic transponder and won't work with remote-start systems.
Many parents have experienced the moment when they try to get back into the car seat of their child and are unable to press the release button in the red color. A company called NAMRA has come up with a solution to this issue, making it easier to unbuckle the seat even if you're having trouble pressing down on the buckle using your thumb.