Car Keys For Aging Parents and Loved Ones

Sometimes, caregivers of elderly loved ones are faced with difficult decisions. If an elderly parent or loved one is driving unsafely it could be time to remove their car keys.

Many cars have a driver's setting that is set to a particular key. This feature is especially useful if multiple people are sharing the vehicle.

Transponder Keys

Modern cars are equipped with transponder keys, which provide a layer of security that keys made of flat metal aren't able to. These are tiny microchips that are embedded into your keys. They send an alert to an immobilizer device on the vehicle, allowing it to start if a valid keys is within range. This technology has helped to reduce car thefts across the globe.

It's not an absolute guarantee. Professional thieves have discovered ways to disguise these signals while still hotwiring the vehicle. They can also repurpose keys to make their own transponder. Even if your car is equipped with a transponder, it's worth buying a spare.

A reputable locksmith can make keys for you at a fraction the cost of a dealership for cars. They'll start by examining your key and determining best copying and programming methods. They'll then program the new key to work with your car.

A reputable locksmith should be able to help you with non-transponder or "flat" keys. These are keys that operate mechanically via cuts made on the sides of the key and don't employ any electronic technology to communicate with your vehicle. These keys are easier to use by children, making them less secure. Anyone with a key-cutter can also copy keys.

Smart Keys

A lot of modern cars are equipped with smart keys, a type of key fob that fulfills the basic functions of a remote, but also comes with additional features. Smart keys have the ability to lock and unlock your vehicle at a distance without needing to touch any buttons. They can also be used to start your engine. These features function regardless of the key in your pocket or purse.

One of the great things about smart keys is that they're very secure. Hackers aren't able easily to steal your car since the signals they send are encrypted. In addition, a computer in your vehicle checks the code that is that is projected by the smart key before it begins the engine.

You could encounter some glitches since the technology is in development. If your phone and key are too close, the normal operating signals of your cell could interfere with any signal transmitted by your smart key.

Certain smart keys have tiny touchscreens in color. For example, BMW developed the Display Key with a touchscreen that allows the driver to perform a range of functions from the key fob, including locking, unlocking and starting. The key also alerts the owner when its battery is low and will offer a replacement from your dealer.

Keyless Entry

If you don't want go as far as a transponder or smart key the keyless entry system allows you to lock and unlock your car with the press of a button. These systems utilize radio signals, referred to as RF which connect to a receiver inside the vehicle. Depending on the type of system used, the signal may also be used to turn off the engine of the vehicle as well as disarm the alarm system for security purposes.

Keyless entry eliminates the need to hide spare keys, which can be a major theft target. There is no need to worry about misplacing or losing your car keys and this can occur at any moment. However, you must update the code on a regular basis to ensure that you are secure.

You can use your key fob app or physical key fob to send a radio signal of 315 Megaherz. The signal is encrypted and scrambled before it is transmitted, so even if hackers are able to intercept the signal, they will not be able to gain permanent access to your vehicle.

Certain keyless entry systems feature active engine starting, which means that the car can run and start even if the key is not in range. This feature is designed to prevent your car from running out on gas and prevent poisonous fumes from entering the interior.

Remote Start

Remote start systems offer convenience and peace of mind whether your car is on the street or in your driveway. The system sends the signal to the RES module of the vehicle by pressing a button or through an application.

The system can also be used to adjust heated/cooled seats, or to open and close windows. Certain systems are more flexible and include auxiliary channels that can be used to control items like power-assisted steering wheels, automatic climate controls, and rear defrost.

The positive side is that the majority of seats manufactured after 1995 have a transponder in the key. Most modern cars are compatible with remote start systems. Some older Seat models require a key that has an unmodified transponder. These keys will not work with remote-start systems.

Most parents have experienced that moment when they reach into the back seat key replacement of their child's vehicle and aren't able to press down on the red buckle release button. NAMRA has designed a solution to this problem. It helps you unbuckle your child's Seat exeo key programming even if you're having difficulty pressing down the buckle with your thumb.