The 10 Most Scariest Things About Car Seat Key
Car Keys For Aging Parents and Loved Ones
Sometimes caregivers of loved ones in their senior years have to make difficult choices. If an aging parent or loved one is driving recklessly then it could be the right time to take away their car keys.
Many cars have a driver setting configured to a specific key. This feature is particularly useful when there are multiple people sharing the vehicle.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys are standard in most modern cars. They add an additional layer of security that regular keys cannot. These are tiny microchips within your key that send an alert to the immobilizer system of your car which allows it to start only if a valid key is within range. This technology has helped to reduce car thefts around the world.
However, it's not foolproof. Professional thieves have come up with ways to fake the signals and still hotwire a vehicle. They can also reuse standard cut key blanks and create their own transponder keys. Even if your car comes with a transponder key it's worth buying a spare.
A reputable locksmith will make these keys for you at a fraction of the cost of car dealerships. They will analyze your key to determine the most efficient methods of copying and programming. The new key can be programmed to work with your vehicle.
A reputable locksmith will also be able to assist you with "flat" or non-transponder keys. These keys communicate with your car through mechanical means, not electronic technology. These keys are easy for children to use and are less secure. They can also be copied by anyone who has an instrument for cutting keys.
Smart Keys
A lot of modern cars are equipped with smart keys, a kind of key fob that performs the same functions as the remote, but also comes with additional features. Smart keys have the ability to lock and unlock your vehicle from a distance without having to press any buttons. They can also be used to start your engine. These features work regardless of whether the key is in your purse or pocket.
Smart keys are extremely secure. The signals they project are encrypted, which means hackers can't use them to steal your car. A computer in your car also verifies the rolling codes that are projected by the smart keys prior starting the engine.
There are some issues that you may encounter as the technology is still in development. For instance, if your key and phone are too close to each other, your cell's normal operating signals could interfere with the signal that your smart key sends.
Certain smart keys have a small color touchscreen. For The Keylab , BMW developed the Display Key equipped with a screen which allows the user to perform a variety functions via the key fob such as locking, unlocking, and starting. The key can also notify the owner that its battery is running low and recommend a new one from your dealer.
Keyless Entry
If you don't intend to go as far as a transponder, or smart key, you can still secure and unlock your vehicle with the push of one button. These systems use radio signals, referred to as RF, to communicate with a receiver within the vehicle. Based on the system, the signal can also trigger the car's engine and disarm the alarm.
Keyless entry prevents you from hiding spare keys, which are a major target for thieves. There is no need to worry about misplacing or losing keys to your car which could occur at any moment. But you should still update the code on a regular basis to ensure your security.
The way that keyless entry works is that you press the button on your physical or app key fob, which transmits an audio signal at 315 Megaherz. The signal is encrypted and scrambled before it is transmitted, therefore, even if hackers steal it, they will not be able gain permanent access to your vehicle.
Certain keyless entry kits come with an engine that is not starting this means that the car will continue to run and begin the engine even when the key isn't within range. This safety feature is designed to stop your vehicle from running low on gas and to prevent harmful fumes escaping into the interior.
Remote Start
When your car is in your driveway or parked on the street Remote start systems can provide security and peace of mind. By pressing a button on your key fob, or a "start" button through an app the system will send the signal to your vehicle's RES control module to activate and warm your engine.
This system can also be used to adjust heated/cooled seats, or to open and close windows. Some systems are more flexible, and include additional channels that can be used to regulate things as a power-assisted wheel automatic climate controls and rear defrost.
The good news is, that a majority of Seat cars built since 1995 will come with a transponder chip embedded within the key. Therefore, the majority of newer models are compatible with remote-start systems. Certain older Seat models require keys with only a transponder that is basic and cannot be used with remote-start systems.
Many parents have had the experience when they get back into the car seat of their child and struggle to press the red release button. A company called NAMRA created a solution to this issue making it simpler to remove the buckle even if you're having trouble pressing down on the buckle using your thumb.