Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
As technology improves the days of turning the key to operate your car are slowly disappearing. Today, we use remote programming. However, even these may fail and require assistance from a professional. If you need to replace a car key quickly, a mobile locksmith who is trained is the best choice.
You can also purchase spare keys from a dealer. However it will require programming to your vehicle prior to activation. This is only possible through locksmiths with access to your VIN and registration or title.
Lost or Stolen keys
Mini Cooper owners choose their Mini Coopers because of their high resale value as well as their low maintenance requirements and great gas mileage. However, just like every other vehicle keys can disappear or cease to function. A professional locksmith can assist you if this happens.
Modern vehicles have remote key fobs that can be used to open doors and start engines. These fobs are connected an immobiliser system that prevents your vehicle from being driven in the event that the correct key isn't there. It's costly to replace it the fob if it is lost.
The key fobs of newer models of cars have an electronic chip that communicates with the transponder in your vehicle's engine. The chip contains a code that is unique to your car. If you get a replacement chip, it must be programmed to your specific car, which requires an authorised locksmith or dealer equipped with the right tools.
Getting your keys replaced at a dealership could be costly however, it's often the only alternative. A professional mobile locksmith will visit you and create a new key for much less, especially if you have your car's registration or title on hand to prove that you are the owner.
Unlocking Your Car
It can be a nightmare by realizing that you have locked your keys inside your car. You could be left waiting for someone to show up and unlock your door, or for a tow-truck to arrive. There are some clever techniques that you can employ to save time and money.
The first step is to find the longest, thin rod. A clothes hanger made of wire works well, though you might also consider a rod made from an incredibly strong strip of plastic or even a shoelace. It should be thin enough it to fit through the door's seams and long enough to reach the lock button.
Tie a slip knot in the string (a sliding knot that tightens as it is pulled). Place the loop of the slip knot above the lock button. Then gently wiggle the string by putting the slip knot over the lock-button using back-and-forward motions until the knob on the inside of the door opens.
This method won't work in every case however it's a great option for a variety of cars. It's especially helpful when your car has the locking mechanism that is located on the side of the door instead of at the top. If there is a knob on the top of your door, you can also utilize this method when you have it. Be sure not to harm your vehicle during the process.
Resetting Your Key Fob
You might need to reset your key fob if you change the battery or lose it. Most of the time, this won't impact the function of your key, however should it not work immediately it could be because you installed the new battery in a wrong way. You should take the new battery into the dealership to be installed to verify that it's the right one for your car.
While you're trying reset your key, you'll require a second working one. You should sit in the driver's chair and place your blank key close by. Push the small silver tab on the back of the key fob to pop out the keys made of metal, and then remove the batteries. Replace the battery, and ensure that it's the right way up (the negative end should be on the outside).
After you have replaced the battery on your key, you can turn on the car. Press the lock and unlock buttons on all of your fobs in order to program them with the vehicle's computer. Once all fobs are programmed, you are able to return to your car and lock it just as you would normally. Be sure to shut off the ignition following this to end the process of programming since a long time between actions could cause your car to wipe out all of its settings.
Replacing the Locks
Getting locked out of your car is a big trouble, and it can be costly to replace keys. The dealer will charge you approximately $150 for a brand new key fob, and locksmiths may charge more. The best way to avoid this is to keep your spare key in a secure place, or to purchase a smart lock for your mini cooper so that you can unlock it with your phone.
It is possible to change the door lock actuator on your own however, it requires a bit of patience and effort. The first step is removing the old actuator. To accomplish this, you need to reach inside and pull it out. Make sure you remove the rod that is used for the manual lock it's rod that has a black plastic tip at one end, which is then inserted into a clip on the actuator. It can be difficult to locate and then put back in place this component It is therefore recommended to keep the window rolled down while you work on it.
Next, remove the cover of the battery and take off the old battery. Install the new battery and then replace the cover. Finally, you can put the actuator back on by making sure that the star end of the control rod is in the fitting at the top of the actuator. TheKeyLab 's a tight fitting and you may need to use some force to push it into place. You should be able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing buttons on the keyfob. If they don't, then you'll require a certified locksmith or dealership for assistance.