Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
The days of turning the key to operate your vehicle are fading away as technology advances. Nowadays, we can use remote programming. Even these are susceptible to malfunction and require professional assistance. A mobile locksmith who is trained and skilled is the best option for quick car key replacement.
You can also purchase an extra key from a dealer, however it will need to be programmed to the specific car you own before activation. This can only be done by locksmiths who have access to your VIN and registration or title.
Lost or Stolen Keys
Mini Cooper owners choose their cars for their high resale values as well as their low maintenance requirements and excellent gas mileage. However, like any other vehicle keys may go missing or stop working. If this happens, a professional locksmith can assist you.
Modern vehicles are equipped with remote key fobs which can be used to unlock doors and start engines. The fobs come with an immobiliser mechanism that prevents your vehicle from driving without the proper key. It's costly to replace it when you lose it.
Key fobs for newer models of cars include an electronic chip that communicates with the transponder within your vehicle's engine. The chip is unique and has a code that matches only the code that is in your car. If you require a replacement chip, it needs to be programmed for your car through an authorized dealer or a locksmith with the right tools.
It can be expensive to replace your keys at a dealer, but this is usually the only option. A mobile locksmith can give you a key for lower cost, especially in the event that your registration or title is in hand to prove that you own the vehicle.
Unlocking Your Car
You can ruin your day by realizing that you have locked your keys in your car. You could be left waiting for someone else to come and open the door, or for a tow-truck to arrive. Fortunately, there are clever tricks you can try to save time and money.
The first thing you need to do is locate a long, thin rod. You can use a wire hanger for clothes or make use of a rod composed of a strong strip of plastic, or a shoelace. It should be thin enough for it to pass into the door's seams, and long enough to reach to the lock button.
Create a slip knot on the string. Place the loop of the slip knot over the lock button. Move gently back and forth the string with the slip knot on top of the lock-button using back-and-forward motions until the knob located on the inside of the door opens.
This trick may not work in all cases however it's a good solution for many cars. It's particularly useful if your car has the locking mechanism that is located on the side of the door, instead of at the top. If your car has an upper knob of the door, this method may also be able to aid you if the right tool on hand. Be careful not to damage the car.
Resetting Your Key Fob
It's possible that you need to reset your key fob in the event that you change the battery or lose it. Usually, this won't affect the functionality of your key, however when it doesn't function right away, there's a possibility that you have installed the new battery in a wrong way. It is recommended to take the new battery to the dealership to be installed to ensure that it's the correct one for your vehicle.
You'll need to make sure you have another working key that you can use while trying to reset yours. Then, sit in the driver's seat and put your new blank key in a location close to the car. Push the small silver tab at the back of the key fob to open the keys made from metal, and take the batteries off. Replace the battery with a new one, and ensure it's facing up (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).
After replacing the battery for your key, you can turn on the car. Press the locks and unlock buttons on each of your fobs to program them with the vehicle's computer. After all fobs have been programmed, return to your vehicle and lock it in the same way as usual. Make sure you turn off the ignition afterward to end the programming process in case you are waiting too long between actions could cause your car to erase all its settings.
Replace the locks
It can be a hassle to be locked out of your vehicle and is costly to replace keys. Locksmiths will charge you more than $150 for keys. The dealer will charge you around $150. It is recommended to keep your spare keys in a secure location, or purchase a smartlock for your mini cooper that allows you to unlock it using your phone.
Replacing car key mini cooper could be a DIY project for the majority of people However, it requires a little bit of work and perseverance. The first step is to take out the old actuator by grabbing it from the inside and pulling it out. Make sure to remove the push rod to access the manual lock it's rod that has an elongated black plastic tip on the other end that is inserted into an actuator clip. This can be a challenge to locate and then get back to its place, which is why it's a good idea keep the window closed while you work on this.
Then, take off the cover and the old battery. Then, install the new battery and replace the cover. Then, place the actuator back in place, making sure the star end of the control rod is into the fitting on top of the actuator. You may need to apply a little force to get the actuator into place. After that the doors should lock and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they don't then you'll need to call a locksmith or a dealer for assistance.