20 Myths About Smart Key For Car: Busted

What You Should Know About Smart Keys Smart keys, also known as digital keys or information keys, allow drivers to access their vehicle without the need to use traditional keyholes. Certain vehicles have them as standard features, whereas others offer them as an upgrade option. The technology is also more advanced than a traditional key fob. Certain systems have emergency start capabilities that allow you to open the car and start the engine without a key fob (or even the traditional one). The most reliable systems also have indicators for the battery that warn you when the battery is running low. Security Smart keys are more convenient than traditional fobs and also come with additional security and safety features. They utilize radio-frequency identification or RFID, to communicate with your car's computer system. An antenna inside your car reads the signal from the key when it is within the range, which allows you to unlock your doors and start your engine without taking out your phone or press a button. It may appear to be an easy feature. However, car thieves can penetrate this system and unlock your doors and even start the engine. Certain manufacturers use “rolling code” technology to ward off this. This code is projected by the key onto the starter and is then verified by the computer in the car before it starts. This is to prevent thieves from creating multiple copies of keys. Another way to keep your vehicle secure is to ensure that you don't put the key and mobile phone in the same pocket. Placing the two devices too close together could block signals, thus preventing them from communicating properly. The KeySmart Pro has a built in Tile that helps you locate your phone. When you place the Smart Key next to your iPhone with the application installed when you press the activation key, it will cause the Tile to play a short tune and flash an LED. This is a lifesaver in the event that you lose your phone or it's on silent mode. Convenience Smart keys can store and recall personal settings like mirror, seat, and steering wheel positions. Certain smart keys, for instance BMW's Comfort Access system, allow you to start your car without touching the ignition button. Modern smart keys make use of radio waves to communicate with antennas within the car, transmitting a unique encrypted signal that is processed by the car's computer. These signals can be reprogrammed to perform different functions such as opening and closing the trunk, or engaging an electronic child lock. The technology isn't completely foolproof However, it's not completely foolproof. Hackers with technical expertise can get the unique identification number of the smartkey, by spotting its frequency transmission. Fortunately, manufacturers have been working to improve the security of the system. Another benefit is the possibility to remotely lock and unlock your vehicle with a single tap of the phone's screen. This feature can save you time when loading children or cargo. It's particularly useful if you have teenage kids who are learning to drive. The sleek slim design of a smartkey is one of its best features. This makes it easier to carry than other key organizers, which can be heavy and take up more space than is needed. The KeySmart is also quiet and easy to carry, removing the annoying jingle which can drive you crazy. Battery Life Typically smart keys last less than regular fobs that have key blades (two to three years versus four to six). The smart keys must communicate with the car at a higher rate and more frequently in order to unlock and start the car. Smart keys can also be drained faster when placed close to electronic devices such as computers, phones and screens that produce electromagnetic fields. Fortunately, smart key replacement of smart keys come with battery backup features. According to Open Road Auto Group most smart keys come with a blade that can be used as a traditional door key in the event the battery of the smart key fob dies. A majority have a slot where the traditional key can be placed to start the engine in the event that the smart key fob is not working or is dead. A “power saving mode” is a different smart key backup. If you forget your smart key while driving, your vehicle will still run even if it's not running. To do this, lay the smart key flat on the steering column while pressing the ignition button. If you've done this correctly, the system will notify the driver that it is not in the right place but still functioning. Cost Although many car owners are converting to smart keys for greater convenience and security It's important to understand that these features can be expensive. If you lose a smart-key, it could cost you a lot to replace it and then reprogramme your vehicle. Smart keys resemble regular keys, but they contain a microchip which allows you to unlock, lock or start a car without a physical one. The chip transmits an unique code to the vehicle system, which identifies and verifies the code before beginning the engine. This technology has been in use for a while however it's not yet perfect. This technique has been employed by thieves to steal vehicles in a variety of cases. There are ways to stop this from happening. One way to avoid this is to use a smart key with rolling security codes. The code changes every time the key is sent. A key fob that has a display screen can also be quite expensive. BMW's Display Key is an example of this kind of smart key. Its LCD color screen performs all the functions of a typical key fob, like locking, unlocking, and keyless start. However, it can also communicate with the vehicle from smartphones. This makes it easier to operate the vehicle, as well as keep in mind its charging and the location of its battery. It can even instruct the vehicle to park itself this is a fantastic feature for those with limited mobility or disabilities.