Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
As technology improves and technology advances, the days of turning the key to start your vehicle are fading away. Today, we use remote programming. Even these aren't perfect and require a professional help. For a quick replacement of your car key, a mobile locksmith who is trained is the best choice.
You can also purchase a spare key from a dealer, however it will need to be programmed to your specific car before activation. Locksmiths with access to your VIN, registration or title are able to do this.
Lost or Stolen Keys
Owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose Mini Coopers for their high gas mileage, low maintenance requirements and a high resale value. But, as with any other car keys can go missing or stop working. A professional locksmith can assist you if this happens.
Most modern vehicles use remote key fobs to open doors and start engines. The fobs are linked to an immobiliser that stops your vehicle from being driven in the event that the right key isn't in the. If you lose the key, the cost of replacing it is costly.
Key fobs for newer models of cars have an electronic chip that communicates with the transponder within the engine of your car. The chip is unique and has a code that is only compatible with the code that is in your car. If you get a replacement chip, it will need to be programmed to your car's specific model and requires an authorized locksmith or dealer with the appropriate tools.
It can be expensive to replace your keys with the dealer, but this is usually the only option. A mobile locksmith can make keys for you at a much lower price, especially when your title or registration is available to prove that you own the vehicle.
Unlocking Your Car
You could ruin your day when you realize you've locked your keys inside your car. You could be waiting for someone to show up and unlock the door or for a tow truck to arrive. There are fortunately clever techniques you can employ to save time and money.
The first step is to locate an extremely long, thin rod. A clothes hanger made of wire works well, though you can also use an iron rod made of a sturdy strip of plastic or even a shoelace. It must be thin enough for it to fit through the door's seam and long enough to reach the lock button.
Attach a slip knot to the string (a sliding knot that tightens when pulled). Place the loop of the slip knot on the lock button. The string can be gently wiggled with the knot on top of the lock button using back-and-forth movements until the knob inside the door opens.
This trick may not be effective in all situations, but it is a good solution for many automobiles. This trick is especially useful in the event that the locking mechanism of your car is on the side instead of at the top. If your car has a knob at the top of the door, this technique might assist you if you have the right tool available. Be careful not to damage the car.
Resetting Your Key Fob
If you lose the key fob, or change the battery, you may have to reset it. replacement mini key fob cost won't usually affect the function of the key, however it's possible you installed the battery incorrectly. It is recommended to take the new battery into the dealership to be installed to ensure that it's the correct one for your vehicle.
When you're trying to reset your key, you'll need another working key. Sit in the driver's seat and put your blank key close by. Press the small silver tab on the back of the key fob to open the keys made from metal, and 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 your new key battery then turn on the car. Press the lock and unlock buttons on each of your fobs to programme them using the vehicle's computer. After all fobs have been programmed go back to your vehicle and lock it in the same way as usual. Be sure to shut off the ignition afterward 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
It's not easy to get locked out of your vehicle and is costly to replace keys. The dealer will charge about $150 for a new key fob, and locksmiths can charge more. It is best to keep spare keys in a secure location or purchase a new smartlock for your mini cooper that allows you to unlock it with your phone.
It is possible to change the door lock actuator yourself however it requires a bit of patience and hard work. The first step is to pull off the old actuator by reaching inside and pulling it out. Remove the push rod that is attached to the manual lock. It's a rod with black plastic on one end. This rod goes into an actuator's clip. This component can be difficult to locate and reinstall in place, so it's a good idea keep the window shut while working on this.
Next, take off the battery cover and remove the old battery. Install the new battery, and then replace the cover. Finally, you can put the actuator back on with the control rod in the center, making sure that it's positioned so that the star end of the control rod fits in the fitting on the top of the actuator. It's a tight fit and you may need to use some force to get it in place. After doing this your doors should then lock and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they don't, you'll need to contact a locksmith or the dealer for assistance.