Car Keys For Aging Parents and Loved Ones
Sometimes, caregivers of elderly loved ones are faced with difficult decisions. If an aging parent or loved one is driving dangerously, it may be the right time to get rid of their car keys.
A lot of cars come with a driver setting that is set to a specific key. This feature is especially useful when multiple people share the vehicle.
Transponder Keys
Modern cars are equipped with transponder keys, which provide the security old flat metal keys cannot. These are tiny microchips that are embedded in your key. They send signals to an immobilizer mechanism on the car, which allows it to start if a valid keys is within range. This technology has helped to decrease car thefts around the globe.
It's not completely secure. Professional thieves have come up with ways to fake the signals and still hotwire the vehicle. They can also repurpose standard cut keys and make their own transponder keys. Even if your vehicle comes with transponders, it's worth purchasing an extra.
A reputable locksmith will make them for you at a fraction of the cost of a car dealership. They'll start by examining your key and determining the most efficient methods for copying and programming. They'll then program the new key to work with your car.
A reputable locksmith will also be able to assist you with "flat" or non-transponder keys. These are keys that operate mechanically via cuts made on the sides of the keys and don't utilize any electronic technology to communicate with your vehicle. These kinds of keys are easy for children to play with, and therefore they're less secure. They are also easily copied by anyone using a key cutter.
Smart Keys
Smart keys are a type key fob used in many modern automobiles. They perform the same functions as a remote control, but they also come with additional features. Smart keys are able to lock and unlock your vehicle from a distance without needing to touch any buttons. They can also be used to start your engine. These features work even if you have the key in your pocket or purse.
One of the great things about smart keys is that they're extremely secure. Hackers cannot easily take your car due to the signals they send are encrypted. Additionally, a computer inside your vehicle validates the rolling code projected by the smart key before starting the engine.
There are some issues that you may encounter as the technology is still in development. If your key and phone are too close to each other, normal operating signals from your phone could interfere with any signal transmitted by your smart key.
Some smart keys include an incredibly small color touchscreen. BMW for instance, developed the Display Key, which has an LCD screen that allows the driver to perform a variety of functions from the keyfob, including locking, unlocking and starting. The key will also inform the owner if its battery is drained and suggest a new one from your dealer.
Keyless Entry
If you don't wish to go as far as a transponder or a smart key, you can still secure and unlock your vehicle with the push of one button. These systems use radio waves, also known as RF to signal an internal receiver within the vehicle. Depending on the system, the signal could also turn on the engine in the car and then deactivate the alarm.
Keyless entry can eliminate the need to hide spare keys that are a major target for thieves. You won't have to worry about losing or misplacing keys to your car, which can occur at any moment. However, you should change the code regularly to ensure that you are secure.
You can use your app for key fobs or a physical key fob send a radio signal of 315 Megaherz. The signal is encrypted and scrambled before it is sent out, so even if hackers are able to intercept it, they won't be able to gain access to your vehicle.
Some keyless entry systems include the option of passive engine starting, which means that the car can run and start when the key is not in range. This is a security feature that is designed to stop your car from running out of gas, as well as to prevent toxic fumes from leaking into the interior of the car.
Remote Start
Remote start systems provide convenience and peace of mind whether your car is on the street or in your driveway. The system sends the signal to the RES module in the vehicle by pressing a button, or by using an application.
This system can also be used to adjust heated/cooled seats, or to open and shut windows. Some systems are more versatile and feature auxiliary channels that can be used to control things like power-assisted steering wheels automatic climate controls, and rear defrost.
The good news is that the majority of seats manufactured after 1995 have an embedded transponder within the key. Most modern cars can be used with remote start systems. However, some older Seat models will require a key that has a transponder chip that is less basic and won't work with any remote-start systems.
Most parents have experienced the moment when they reach into the back of their child's car seat and can't get enough strength to push down on the red car seat buckle release button. TheKeyLab has created a solution to this problem. It makes it easier to remove the buckle, even if you have trouble pressing down the buckle using your thumb.