Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
As technology advances technology, the days of turning a key to operate your car are slowly disappearing. We now have remote programming. Even these can malfunction and require professional assistance. For a quick replacement of your car key an experienced mobile locksmith is the best choice.
You can purchase spare keys from a dealer, however it must be programmed to the specific car you own before activation. This is only done by locksmiths who have access to your VIN and registration or title.
Keys lost or stolen
mini cooper s key replacement Cooper owners choose their mini cooper spare key cost Coopers due to their high resale prices, low maintenance requirements and excellent gas mileage. However, just like every other car keys can go missing or stop working. A good locksmith can help you if this happens.
The majority of modern vehicles use remote key fobs to open doors and start engines. They also have an immobiliser mechanism that prevents your vehicle from driving without the proper key. It’s expensive to replace if you lose it.
Newer car models have an electronic chip embedded in their key fobs that communicates to the transponder within the engine of your car. The chip is unique and has a code that only matches the code in your car. If you require an upgrade chip, it needs to be programmed in your car through an authorized dealer or a locksmith with the right tools.
It can be expensive to replace your keys at an auto dealer, but it is often the only choice. A mobile locksmith can give keys for you at lower cost, especially when your registration or title is in hand to prove that you own the car.
Unlocking Your Car
You can ruin your day when you realize you’ve locked your keys inside your car. You may be stuck waiting for someone else to come and open the door, or for a truck to arrive. There are some clever tricks that you can use to save time and money.
The first step is to locate an extremely long, thin rod. A clothes hanger made of wire is ideal, however you could also try rods made of plastic that is strong or even a shoelace. It must be thin enough for it to fit through the door’s seam and sufficient in length to reach the lock button.
Make a slip knot in the string (a sliding knot that tightens when pulled). Place the loop of the slip knot in front of the button for locking. Gently wiggle back and forth the string while putting the slip knot over the lock button in forward and back movements until the knob located on the inside of the door opens.
This trick may not work in every circumstance however it’s an excellent alternative for a lot of cars. This trick is especially helpful when the locking mechanism of your car is located on the side instead of the top. If your car does have an upper knob of the door, this method may also be able to help you if you have the appropriate tool at hand. Be careful not to hurt your vehicle in the process.
Resetting Your Key Fob
You might need to reset your key fob if you change the battery or lose it. Usually, this won’t impact the function of your key, however should it not work immediately there’s a chance that you have installed the new battery in the wrong manner. You should take the new battery to the dealership to be installed to ensure that it’s the correct one for your vehicle.
You’ll need to ensure you have a working key to use while you’re trying to reset yours. You should sit in the driver’s chair and place your blank key somewhere nearby. Press the small silver tab at the back of the key fob to open the keys made of metal, then take the batteries off. Replace the battery and make sure that it’s the correct way up (the negative end should be on the outside).
After you’ve replaced the key battery, turn the car on. Press the locks and unlock buttons on all fob to program them with the car’s computer. Once all fobs have been programmed, you can return to your vehicle and lock it in the same way as you normally do. Make sure you turn off the ignition to terminate the programming process in case you are waiting too long between actions could cause your car to wipe out all its commands.
Replace the locks
Locked out of your car quite a hassle, and it can be expensive to replace the keys. Locksmiths may charge more than $150 for the key fob. The dealer will charge around $150. The best way to prevent this is to store your spare key in a secure place, or to purchase a smart lock for your mini cooper so that you can unlock it using your mobile.
Replacing the door lock actuator could be a DIY project for most however, it will require a little bit of work and perseverance. The first step is removing the old actuator. To do this, grab the inside and take it out. Be sure to remove the rod that pushes for the manual lock it’s a rod with an black plastic tip on the other end that is inserted into an actuator clip. It can be difficult to locate and put back into place this part which is why it is advised to keep the window closed down while you work on it.
Then, remove the cover and remove the old battery. Install the new battery, and then replace the cover. Install the actuator, making sure that the slant end of your control rod fits into the fitting at the top of the actuator. This is a tight fitting and you may need to apply some force to move it to fit. You are now able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing the buttons on the keyfob. If they don’t, you’ll have to contact a licensed locksmith or dealership for assistance.
