Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
As technology advances technology, the days of turning the key to operate your car are disappearing. Instead, we have remote programming options. However, even these may fail and require assistance from a professional. A locksmith with experience is the best choice for fast replacement of your car key.
You can also buy an extra key from a dealer. However it will require programming to your specific vehicle before activation. This is only done by locksmiths who have access to your VIN and registration or title.
Keys stolen or lost
The owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose them for their great gas mileage, low maintenance needs and high resale worth. Similar to other cars, Mini Cooper keys can get lost or cease to function. If this happens, a professional locksmith can help.
Modern vehicles come with remote key fobs that can be used to open doors and start engines. These keys are connected to an immobiliser device that blocks the vehicle from operating in the event that the correct key isn't available. It's costly to replace it the fob if it is lost.
Newer models of cars include an electronic chip inside their key fobs that talks to the transponder located in your car's engine. The chip is equipped with a code that is unique to the car. If you purchase a replacement chip, it must be programmed to your specific car which requires an authorized dealer or a locksmith equipped with the right tools.
It's costly to replace your keys with the dealer, but this is often the only choice. A professional mobile locksmith will visit you and design an entirely new key for cheaper, particularly if have the registration or title of your car on hand to prove you are the owner of the vehicle.
Unlocking Your Car
The horrible realization that you've locked your keys in your car can cause a lot of stress and leave you stuck waiting for an auto tow truck or friend to unlock the door for you. There are a few clever strategies that you can use to save time and money.
The first step is to locate a long, skinny rod. A clothes hanger made of wire works well, but you can also use rods made of a strong piece of plastic or even a shoelace. It must be small enough to pass through the door seam and long enough to reach the lock button.
Attach a slip knot to the string (a sliding knot that cinches tightly when pulled). Put the loop of the slip knot onto the button for the lock. The string can be gently wiggled with knots placed over the lock button using back-and-forth movements until the knob inside the door opens.
This trick may not work for all situations, but it is an ideal solution for many cars. It's particularly helpful when your car has the locking mechanism on the side of the door, rather than at the top. If you have a knob on the top of your door, you could use this method as well in the event that you have it. Be cautious not to damage the car.
Resetting Your Key Fob
If you lose your key fob or replace the battery, you could need to reset it. It's not likely to impact the function of your key, but in the event that it doesn't work immediately it could be because you've installed the battery in the wrong way. You should bring the new battery to the dealership to be installed so that they can verify that it's the right one for your car.
If you're trying to reset the key, you'll need a 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 your key fob and remove the key from the metal then remove the battery from its spot. Replace the battery with a fresh one, and make sure it's facing up (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).
After you have replaced the battery on your key You can then turn on the car. Press the locks and unlock buttons on all of your fobs in order to program them with the car's computer. Once all fobs are programmed, return to your vehicle and lock it as normal. Make sure that you shut off the ignition to end the process of programming, as waiting too long between actions could cause your car to wipe out all its programs.
Replacing the Locks
Getting locked out of your vehicle is an enormous issue, and it can be costly to replace the keys. Locksmiths can charge upwards of $150 for keys. The dealer will charge about $150. The best way to avoid this is to always keep your spare key in a safe location, or to buy a smart lock for your mini cooper to unlock it with your phone.
It is possible to change the door lock actuator yourself however, it requires a bit of patience and work. The first step is to remove the old actuator. To do this, grab the inside and remove it. Be sure to remove the rod that pushes for the manual lock rod, which is rod with an elongated black plastic tip on the other end that is inserted into a clip on the actuator. It can be difficult to locate and then put back in place this piece It is therefore recommended to keep the window shut 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. Install the actuator, making sure that the top end of the control rod is inserted into the fitting on the top of the actuator. It's a tight fitting, so you might need to apply some force to push it into place. You should now be able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing the buttons on the keyfob. If mini car key cover don't, you will need to call a certified locksmith or the dealership for assistance.