Smart Keys For CarsA smart key is a wireless car remote that operates without the traditional mechanical blade. It can unlock the doors and pop the trunk from the distance. It also allows you to start your car without needing to turn the key.
Most smart keys have battery indicators and warn you well in advance of a low charge. Replacing the battery is a fast and easy process that doesn't require any specialized tools.
Convenience
Smart keys can unlock doors, trunks and turn on the engine of the vehicle without the need to use a key made of metal. They also come with features designed to deter vehicle burglaries and thefts. For instance, the panic key which makes sounds to frighten away criminals in remote areas like underground garages.
Key fobs accomplish all of these functions by sending radio signals between the car and the key fob, using the low-power wireless technology. This is a wonderful feature, especially for drivers on the go who don't have a lot of time.
A smart key is typically made to look more like a plastic card than a key, and it can be used to open the trunk or doors of a car when a button on the fob is pressed. Some of them even have an integrated touchscreen that allows drivers to control certain settings on their vehicle, such as audio and climate.
The RFID signal that is transmitted between the car and a key fob is unique, encoded, and connected to the vehicle's onboard computer. This makes it impossible for criminals with a technological background to hotwire a stolen car equipped with a key fob. The fobs can also be programmed to transmit a new frequency signal each time they're used, meaning the computer that's onboard won't recognise an old one as the "true" signal.
Security
Many people are hesitant adopt digital keys because they are worried about security. While having a tangible key fob at hand does feel safer, it's important to understand that digital keys are also more secure than you think. The digital keys are encrypted and the signal they transmit to a car is analyzed by an onboard computer. The car won't start if the smart car key reprogramming key fob is compromised.
Contrary to traditional key fobs smart keys make use of built-in antennas inside your vehicle and an electronic radio-frequency generator inside the key fob. This allows it to communicate with your vehicle and perform basic functions like unlocking and the start of it. This technology lets you access your vehicle without needing to insert an actual key into the ignition or [Redirect-302] lock, which is often an inconvenience.
If you lose your smart key, or if its battery goes out it is possible to find an alternative way to open and start your vehicle. For example emergency starting could be achieved by placing the key into an opening or holding it near a particular area on the cockpit, [Redirect-302] where an inductive device that can transfer energy is hidden.
The majority of smart keys have a low battery indicator, which alerts you when the key is completely dead. You can easily replace the battery yourself when you need to.
Auto-adjusting settings
Instead of a physical key, the smart key uses radio waves to unlock and lock the car. They also allow you to remotely start your engine and track the location of the vehicle should you don't remember where it's parked.
Some smart keys are programmed to automatically adjust the exterior and interior of the vehicle according to the key that is detected. For example the car will recognize which key you're using and adjust the seat position, mirror settings, and the temperature control. This is useful if you have multiple drivers, or you want to restrict certain features when you loan your car to an inexperienced driver.
Smart keys also have the benefit of using encryption to prevent theft. This isn't possible with traditional keys. This technology makes it extremely difficult for thieves with a technological edge to hijack a vehicle by imitating an acceptable frequency signal according to How Stuff Works Electronics. Smart keys send a unique encrypted message each time the vehicle's remote or unlocked.
The battery of a smart key will eventually wear out, just like any other battery-powered device. Most systems come with an emergency mechanism to open the car and begin it in case the battery fails. The emergency method can vary however it typically involves holding the key in proximity to the sensor for the lock on the car or pressing a button that triggers the emergency starter.
Battery Backup
Modern smart key for car keys are identified by the terms keyless entry systems as well as passive entry. They utilize the transmitter to open your vehicle. The transmitter is built into the key fob that you carry around with you, and the receivers are located within your vehicle and around the outside of it. When you drive by the vehicle, the radio frequency signal from your smart key is interpreted by the receivers, and it activates the doors and ignition.
While this system offers many advantages, such as not having to search in the dark to find keys, it could be vulnerable to certain kinds of attacks. How Stuff Works Electronics reports that if a key's battery gets depleted or lost, someone could pick up its low-frequency transmission signal and then open your vehicle. Most smart keys have encrypted signals, which makes hacking more difficult.
However, these systems may be affected through electromagnetic fields created by computers, cell phones and other devices. If you notice that your smart key fob is not functioning properly, it could be caused by an interference issue. In this case you should not place your keys near devices like these until the battery in the fob has been replaced. Most smart keys will alert you when their batteries are empty and the replacement process is quite simple.
