Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
As technology improves, the days of turning the key to start your car are disappearing. We now have remote programming. Even those can malfunction sometimes and require a professional help. If you need to replace a car key quickly, a trained mobile locksmith is the best option.
You can purchase an extra key from a dealer, however it must be programmed to your specific car prior to activation. This is only possible through an authorized locksmith who has access to your VIN and registration or title.
Keys that were stolen or lost are not found
Owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose Mini Coopers for their high gas mileage, low maintenance needs and a high resale price. But, just like any other car keys may be lost or not work. A professional locksmith can assist you if this happens.
Modern vehicles come with remote key fobs that can be used to unlock doors and even start engines. They have an immobiliser mechanism that prevents your vehicle from being driven without the proper key. If 2017 mini cooper key fob programming lose the key, replacing it will be expensive.
The key fobs in the latest models of cars are equipped with an electronic chip that communicates with the transponder in the engine of your car. The chip is equipped with a code that is unique to your vehicle. If you receive a replacement chip, it will need to be programmed to the specific car which requires an authorized locksmith or dealer with the appropriate tools.
The process of replacing your keys at a dealer can be costly but it's usually the only alternative. A mobile locksmith professional can visit you and design a new key for lower, especially if have your car's registration or title to prove you are the owner of the vehicle.
Unlocking Your Car
You can ruin your day by discovering that you've locked your keys in your car. You could be waiting for someone else to come to unlock the door or for a tow truck to arrive. There are a few smart tricks that you can apply to save time and money.
The first step is to locate the longest, thin rod. You can make use of a clothes hanger made of wire however, you could also choose a rod composed of a strong strip of plastic, or a shoelace. It should be thin enough to allow it to pass through the door's seam and long enough to reach to the lock button.
Make a slip knot in the string. Attach the loop from the slip knot over the lock button. Be gentle and gently wiggle the string while putting the slip knot placed over the lock-button using back-and-forward motions until the knob located on the inside of the door opens.
This method won't work in every case, but it's a good option for a variety of cars. This trick is especially helpful for locking mechanisms that are on your vehicle is on the side rather than the top. If your car does have a knob at the top of the door, this method could aid you if the appropriate tool at hand. Just be careful not to hurt your vehicle in the process.
Resetting Your Key Fob
It's possible that you need to reset your key fob if you change the battery or lose it. Most of the time, this won't impact the function of your key, however in the event that it doesn't work immediately it's possible that you have installed the new battery in the wrong manner. You should bring the new battery to the dealership to be installed to verify that it's the right one for your car.
If you're trying to reset the key, you'll require a second working one. You should sit in the driver's chair and place your blank key in a nearby location. Then, push the small silver tab on the back of your 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).
After you've replaced the key battery then turn on the car. Press the lock and unlock buttons on each of your fobs in order to program them with the vehicle's computer. After all fobs have been programmed go back to your vehicle and lock it in the same way as usual. Make sure that you 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 of its programs.
Replace the locks
It's a pain to get locked out of your vehicle, and it's expensive to replace keys. The dealer will charge you around $150 for a new key fob, and locksmiths may charge more. It is recommended to keep your spare keys in a safe location or buy a smartlock for your mini cooper to unlock it with your smartphone.
It is possible to replace the door lock actuator on your own however, it requires some patience and work. The first step is removing the old actuator. To do this, reach inside and remove it. Remove the push rod that is connected to the manual lock. It's a long rod with black plastic on one end. The rod connects to the actuator's clip. It can be difficult to locate and then put back into place this part which is why it is advised to keep the window rolled down while you work on it.
Then, remove the battery cover and remove the old battery. Install the new battery and then replace the cover. Install the actuator, making sure that the slant end of the control rod is inserted into the fitting at the top of the actuator. This is a tight fit so you may have to apply some force to bring it to fit. After doing this your doors should be locked and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they don't, then you'll be required to call a reputable locksmith or the dealership for help.