Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
The days of turning the key to operate your car are slowly disappearing as technology improves. We now use remote programming. Even these are susceptible to fail and require assistance from a professional. A mobile locksmith who is trained and skilled is the best choice for quick replacement of your car keys.
You can also purchase spare keys from a dealer. However it must be programmed to your specific vehicle before activation. This is only possible through locksmiths who have access to your VIN and registration or title.
Keys that have been stolen or lost are
Mini Cooper owners choose their Mini Coopers because of their high resale value with low maintenance requirements, as well as great gas mileage. But, as with any other car keys may go missing or stop working. A professional locksmith can assist you in this case.
Modern vehicles have remote key fobs which can be used to open doors and even start engines. The fobs are linked to an immobiliser system that prevents the vehicle from operating in the event that the right key isn't available. It's costly to replace it the fob if it is lost.
The latest models of cars have an electronic chip embedded in their key fobs which talks to the transponder located in your car's engine. The chip is equipped with a code that is unique to your car. If you need a replacement chip, it needs to be programmed in your car through an authorized dealer or a locksmith with the appropriate tools.
A replacement of your keys at a dealer could be costly however it's often the only option. A professional locksmith on mobile can come to you and create an entirely new key for less, especially if you have the registration or title of your car to prove you are the owner.
Unlocking Your Car
The horrifying realization that you've locked your keys inside your car could cause a lot of stress and leave you stuck waiting for an tow truck or friend to unlock the door for you. There are, however, some clever ways you can use to save yourself time and money.
The first step is to find a long, skinny rod. You can make use of a clothes hanger made of wire or make use of a rod composed of a strong strip of plastic, or even shoelace. It should be thin enough it to fit into the door's seam, and long enough to reach to the lock button.
Create a slip knot on the string. Put the loop of the slip knot onto the lock button. Gently wiggle the string with the knot over the lock button using back-and-forth movements until the knob inside the door opens.
This trick isn't suitable for every circumstance however it's a great alternative for a lot of cars. This trick is especially helpful for locking mechanisms that are on your vehicle is on the side, instead of at the top. If there is a knob on the top of your door, you could use this method as well if you have it. Be careful not to damage the car.
Resetting Your Key Fob
You may need to reset your key fob if you change the battery or lose it. Most of the time, this won't alter the functionality of your key, but should it not work right away, there's a possibility that you installed the new battery in the wrong manner. It's a good idea to bring the battery to the dealership to be installed, so they can make sure it's in sync with your car.
While you're trying reset your key, you'll require another working key. Sit in the driver's seat and place the blank key close by. Push the small silver tab at the back of the key fob to pop out the keys made of metal, and then take the batteries off. Replace the battery with a new one, and make sure it's the right side up (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).
After you've replaced the key battery then turn on the car. Press the locks and unlock buttons on each of your fobs in order to program them using the computer in your vehicle. When all of the fobs are programmed, then you can return to your car and lock it just as you would normally. Be sure to shut off the ignition to stop the program in case you are waiting too long between actions could cause your car to wipe out all its settings.
Replace the locks
It's a pain to get locked out of your vehicle, and it's expensive to replace keys. mini cooper replacement key can charge more than $150 for a key fob. The dealer will charge about $150. The best way to prevent this is to keep your spare key in a secure location, or to buy an electronic lock for your mini cooper so that you can unlock it using your smartphone.
It is possible to change the door lock actuator yourself, but it takes some patience and effort. The first step is to pull out the old actuator by grabbing it from the inside and pulling it out. Remove the push rod that's attached to the manual lock. It's a rod with black plastic on one end. The rod is connected to the actuator's clip. This part is difficult to locate and put back into position, so it's recommended to keep the window shut while you work on this.
Then, remove the cover and the old battery. Install the new battery and then replace the cover. Install the actuator, making sure that the star end of your control rod is inserted into the fitting at the top of the actuator. You may have to apply some force to move the actuator in position. You are now able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing buttons on the keyfob. If they don't, then you'll be required to call a reputable locksmith or dealership for help.