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 dangerously, it may be time to get rid of their car keys.
A lot of cars come with a driver setting set to a specific key. This feature is especially useful if you are sharing the vehicle with multiple people.
Transponder Keys
Most modern cars come with transponder keys that provide an additional layer of security that traditional flat metal keys can't. These are tiny microchips embedded into your keys. They send an alert to an immobilizer system in the car, allowing it only to start if a valid keys is within range. This technology has helped reduce car thefts all over the globe.
However, it's not completely secure. Professional thieves have discovered ways to fake these signals while still hotwiring the vehicle. They can also use keys to make their own transponder. Even if your vehicle has a transponder key, it's worth getting a spare.
A reputable locksmith can make them for you at a fraction of the cost of car dealerships. They will analyze your key to determine the best methods of programming and copying. The new key can be programmed to work with your vehicle.
A reputable locksmith should be able to help you with non-transponder or "flat" keys. These are keys that operate mechanically via cuts made on the sides of the keys, and they don't use any electronic technology to connect with your vehicle. These keys are easy for children to play with, and therefore they're less secure. Anyone who has a key-cutter could also copy them.
Smart Keys
A majority of modern vehicles are equipped with smart keys, a form of key fob that performs the same functions as the remote, but also comes with additional features. Smart keys can unlock and lock your vehicle from a distance, without pressing any buttons. They can also be used to start the engine. These features function regardless of whether the key is in your pocket or purse.
One of the best parts about smart keys is that they're very secure. The Key Lab to steal your car since the signals they send are encrypted. Furthermore, a computer inside your vehicle validates the code that is that is projected by the smart key before it begins the engine.
The technology is still in development and you might need to work through a few glitches in the system. For example, if your key and your phone are too close to each other and your phone's normal operating signals could interfere with the signal your smart key sends.
Some smart keys feature a small color touch screen. BMW, for example, created the Display Key, which has an LCD that allows the driver to perform various functions using the keyfob like locking, unlocking, and starting. The key will also alert the owner that their battery is insufficient and will suggest that they purchase the new key from your dealer.
Keyless Entry
If you're not looking to go quite as far as transponder or smart key A keyless entry system allows you to lock and unlock your car with the push of a button. These systems utilize radio signals, referred to as RF, to communicate with a receiver within the vehicle. Based on the system, the signal could also turn on the engine of the vehicle and also deactivate the alarm.
Using keyless entry removes the need to conceal spare keys, which can be an important threat to thieves. You don't have to be concerned about losing or misplacing your car keys which could occur at any time. However, you should alter the code frequently to ensure your security.
You can use your app for key fobs or even a physical key fob transmit a radio signal of 315 Megaherz. The signal gets encrypted and scrambled prior to being transmitted, so that even if a hacker intercepts it and tries to steal it, they won't be able to gain permanent access to your car.
Some keyless entry systems come with the option of passive engine starting, which means that the car will run and start even if the key is not in range. This feature is designed to stop your car from running out on gas and also to stop toxic fumes leaking into the interior.
Remote Start
Remote start systems provide convenience and peace of mind, regardless of whether your car is parked on the street or in your driveway. The system transmits the signal to the RES module of the vehicle by pressing a button or by using an app.
The system can also be used to adjust the temperature of seats, or to open and close windows. Certain systems are more flexible and have auxiliary channels that can be used to control items like power-assisted steering wheels, automatic climate control, and rear defrost.
The good news is that the majority of seats made after 1995 have a transponder embedded in the key. Consequently, most newer vehicles can be used with remote-start systems. However, certain older Seat models will require a key with a more basic transponder chip and will not work with any remote-start systems.
Many parents have experienced that moment when they reach for the backseat of their child's car seat and cannot manage to push down on the red buckle release button. NAMRA has come up with an answer to this problem. It allows you to unbuckle the seat even if you're having trouble pressing down the buckle with your thumb.