Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
As technology improves the days of turning a key to operate your car are slowly disappearing. We now use remote programming. Even these aren't perfect and need a professional to help. A locksmith with experience is the best choice for quick replacement of your car keys.
You can also purchase a spare key from a dealer, but it will need to be programmed to your car prior to activation. This is only done by an authorized locksmith who has access to your VIN and registration or title.
Keys lost or stolen
Mini Cooper owners choose their Mini Coopers for their high resales value, low maintenance requirements and excellent gas mileage. However, like any other vehicle keys can disappear or stop working. If this happens, a reputable locksmith will assist you.
The majority of modern vehicles use remote key fobs that allow you to open doors and start engines. The fobs are linked to an immobiliser system that stops your vehicle from driving in the event that the correct key isn't in the. It's expensive to replace the fob if it is lost.
The key fobs in the latest models of cars are equipped with an electronic chip that communicates with the transponder inside the engine of your vehicle. The chip has a unique code that is unique to your car. If you want to replace it, it will have to be programmed to the specific car which requires an authorized locksmith or dealer equipped with the right tools.
A replacement of your keys at a dealership can be costly, but it is often the only option. A professional mobile locksmith will visit you and create a new key for cheaper, particularly if have your car's registration or title to prove you are the owner of the vehicle.
Unlocking Your Car
The dreadful realization that you locked your keys in your car could make your day miserable and leave you stuck waiting for an auto tow truck or friend to unlock the door for you. There are, however, some clever strategies you can apply to save time and money.
The first step is to find a thin, long rod. A clothes hanger made of wire is ideal, however you can also use an iron rod made of a sturdy strip of plastic or even a shoelace. It should be thin enough to allow it to fit through the door's seam and sufficient in length to reach the lock button.
Create a slip knot on the string. Put the loop of the slip knot onto the button for the lock. The string can be gently wiggled with the knot over the lock button using back-and-forth motions until the knob inside the door opens.
This trick isn't suitable for all situations however it's a great alternative for a lot of cars. This method is particularly useful for locking mechanisms that are on the car is situated on the side, rather than the top. If you have a knob located on the top of your door, you can also make use of this method when you have it. Be careful not to damage the car.
Resetting Your Key Fob
If you lose your key fob or replace the battery, you may have to reset it. Usually, this won't affect the functionality of your key, but in the event that it doesn't work immediately, there's a possibility that you have installed the new battery in the wrong manner. It's a good idea bring the new battery to the dealership for installation so that they can verify that it's matched to your vehicle.
You'll need to ensure you have a working key in your possession while you're trying to reset yours. You should sit in the driver's chair and place the blank key close by. Then, push the small silver tab on the back of the key fob and pull out the metal key then remove the battery from its spot. Replace the battery with a fresh one, and ensure it's facing up (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).
Once you've replaced the key battery switch the car on. Use the lock/unlock buttons on your fobs to program them into the vehicle's computer. Once all fobs are programmed, return to your vehicle and lock it as normal. You must turn off your ignition to complete the programming process. If you hold off too long, your vehicle could lose all of its functions.
Replace the locks
It can be a hassle to be locked out of your vehicle and is costly to replace keys. The dealer will charge around $150 for a new key fob, but locksmiths could charge more. The best way to avoid this is to keep your spare key in a secure location, or to buy a smart lock for your mini cooper so that you can unlock it using your smartphone.
Replacing the door lock actuator could be a simple DIY project for the majority of people however, it will require a little bit of work and perseverance. The first step is to pull off the old actuator by reaching inside and pulling it out. Remove the push rod that's connected to the manual lock. It's a long rod with black plastic on one end. The rod connects to an actuator clip. It isn't easy to locate and then put back in place this component, so it is best to keep the window closed down while you work on it.
Next, remove the cover of the battery and take off the old battery. Install the new battery and replace the cover. Finally, put the actuator back in place by making sure that the star end of the control rod fits into the fitting on top of the actuator. duplicate mini cooper key G28CarKeys may need to apply a little force to get the actuator to fit. You are now able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing buttons on the keyfob. If they don't, you'll be required to call a reputable locksmith or dealership for assistance.