Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
As technology advances the days of turning a key to operate your vehicle are fading away. Nowadays, we can use remote programming. However, they can also malfunction and require a professional assist. To replace your car keys quickly an experienced mobile locksmith is the best choice.
You can also purchase spare keys at an authorized dealer. However it must be programmed for your specific vehicle prior activation. Locksmiths who have access to your VIN or registration number, as well as your title are able to do this.
Keys stolen or lost
Owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose them due to their outstanding gas mileage, low maintenance requirements and high resale worth. However, just like every other vehicle keys can go missing or stop working. If this happens, a professional locksmith will assist you.
Modern vehicles are equipped with remote key fobs which can be used to open doors and even start engines. These fobs are connected an immobiliser that stops your vehicle from being driven when the correct key isn't in the. If you lose yours replacing it will be expensive.
The key fobs of newer models of cars have an electronic chip that communicates with the transponder in your vehicle's engine. www.g28carkeys.co.uk has a code that is unique to your car. If you require a replacement chip, it must be programmed for your vehicle through an authorized dealer or a locksmith with the appropriate tools.
It's expensive to replace your keys with a dealership, but this is often the only choice. A mobile locksmith can create keys for you at an affordable price particularly when your registration or title is available to prove that you own the car.
Unlocking Your Car
The horrifying realization that you locked the keys to your car can ruin your day and leave you stuck waiting for an auto tow truck or friend to unlock the door for you. There are some clever techniques that you can use to save time and money.
The first step is to find an extremely long, thin rod. You can make use of a clothes hanger made of wire, but you can also utilize a rod made of a strong strip of plastic, or a shoelace. It must be small enough to pass into the door's seams and long enough to reach the lock button.
Attach a slip knot to the string (a sliding knot that tightens when pulled). Place the loop of the slip knot over the button for locking. Use your fingers to gently move the string around the knot over the lock button in back-and-forth motions until the knob inside the door opens.
This trick won't work in every situation however it's an excellent option for many cars. It's particularly useful when your car has the locking mechanism on the side of the door instead of at the top. If there is a knob on the top of your door, you could also make use of this method to lock it if you own it. Be careful not to cause damage to your car in the process.
Resetting Your Key Fob
You may need to reset your key fob when you replace the battery or lose it. It shouldn't affect the function of the key, but it's possible to install the battery in a wrong way. It's a good idea bring the new battery to the dealer to have it installed so that they can verify that it's compatible with your vehicle.
You'll need you have another key in your possession while you're trying to reset yours. After that, sit in the driver's seat and put your new blank key aside somewhere close. Push the small silver tab on the back of the fob to release the keys made from metal, and take the batteries off. Replace the battery, and ensure that it's in the correct way up (the negative end should be on the outside).
After you've replaced your new key battery then turn on the car. Press the lock and unlock buttons on each of your fobs in order to program them with the car's computer. When all the fobs are programmed, you are able to return to your car and lock it as normal. You must turn off your ignition to complete the program. If you wait too long, your car may not be able to execute all its functions.
Replacing the Locks
It's a hassle to be locked out of your car and it can be costly to replace keys. The dealer will charge approximately $150 for a brand new key fob, but locksmiths can charge more. The best way to prevent this is to keep your spare key in a secure location, or to buy a smart lock for your mini cooper to unlock it using your phone.
It is possible to replace the door lock actuator yourself, but it takes a bit of patience and perseverance. The first step is to disassemble the old actuator. To do this, grab the inside and remove it. Be sure to remove the push rod to access the manual lock rod, which is a rod with a black plastic tip at the other end that is inserted into a clip on the actuator. This can be a challenge to locate and reinstall in place, so it's recommended to leave the window rolled up while working on this.
Next, take off the battery cover and remove the old battery. Install the new battery and then replace the cover. Install the actuator by making sure that the slant end of your control rod is inserted into the fitting on the top of the actuator. You may have to apply some force to move the actuator to fit. After this the doors should lock and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they do not, you'll need to contact a locksmith or a dealer for assistance.