Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
As technology advances, the days of turning the key to start your car are slowly disappearing. Instead, we have remote programming options. However, they can also malfunction and require a professional help. A locksmith with experience is the best option to get quick replacement of your car keys.
You can also purchase an extra key from a dealer, however it will need to be programmed to your car prior to activation. Locksmiths who have access to your VIN, registration or title are able to do this.
Keys that were stolen or lost are not found
Mini Cooper owners choose their Mini Coopers due to their high resale value as well as their low maintenance requirements and good gas mileage. However, like any other vehicle, their keys can disappear or stop working. A professional locksmith can assist you if this happens.
Modern vehicles rely on remote key fobs that allow you to open doors and begin their engines. The fobs come with an immobiliser system that prevents your vehicle from operating without the right key. It's costly to replace it in the event that you lose it.
Newer models of cars include an electronic chip inside the key fobs, which communicates to the transponder inside 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 require a replacement chip, it needs to be programmed in your car through an authorized dealer or a locksmith who has the right tools.
Making your keys replace at a dealer can be costly, but it is often the only option. A mobile locksmith can create you a key for a much lower price, especially if your registration or title is on hand as proof that you own the vehicle.
Unlocking Your Car
You can ruin your day by discovering that you've locked your keys inside your car. It could be that you are waiting for someone else to come and unlock the door or for a tow-truck to arrive. Fortunately, there are clever techniques you can employ to save yourself time and money.
The first thing to do is to locate a long and thin rod. A clothes hanger made of wire works well, but you could also use a rod made from a sturdy strip of plastic or even a shoelace. It must be thin enough to pass into the door's seams and long enough to reach the lock button.
Create a slip knot on the string (a sliding knot that tightens as it is pulled). Place the loop of the slip knot over the button for locking. Gently wiggle the string with the knot that is placed over the lock button in back-and forth movements until the knob inside the door opens.
This method may not work in all situations however it's an effective solution for many automobiles. It's especially useful if your car has the locking mechanism located on the side of the door rather than at the top. If your car does have knobs on the top of the door, this method might help you if you've got the right tool available. Just be careful not to hurt your vehicle during the process.
Resetting Your Key Fob
It's possible that you need to reset your key fob in the event that you replace the battery or lose it. In most cases, this won't impact the function of your key, but when it doesn't function immediately, there's a possibility that you've installed the battery in a wrong way. It's recommended to bring the new battery to the dealer to have it installed so that they can make sure it's compatible with 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 somewhere nearby. Push the small silver tab on the back of your key fob, and take out the key made of metal and remove the battery from its place. 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 switch the car on. Use the lock/unlock buttons on your fobs in order to program them into your vehicle's computer. Once all fobs are programmed, return to your vehicle and lock it in the same way as usual. Be sure to shut off the ignition immediately afterward to end the programming process since a long time between actions could cause your car to erase all its programs.
Replace the locks
It's a hassle to get locked out of your vehicle, and it's expensive to replace keys. Locksmiths will charge you more than $150 for a key fob. The dealer will charge around $150. It is best to keep your spare keys in a secure location or purchase a new smartlock for your mini cooper to unlock it with your phone.
It is possible to replace the door lock actuator on your own however it requires a bit of patience and effort. The first step is to take out the old actuator. To do this, reach inside and pull it out. Take off the rod that's attached to the manual lock. It's a long rod with black plastic on one end. This rod will be an actuator clip. This part is difficult to locate and then get back to its place, which is why it's best to keep the window open while working on this.
Then, take off the cover and the old battery. Install mini key fob and then replace the cover. Install the actuator and ensure that the star end of your control rod is inserted into the fitting at the top of the actuator. It's a tight fitting so you may have to apply some force to get it to fit. You are now able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing the buttons on the keyfob. If they don't, then you'll need to call a certified locksmith or dealership for help.