A Car Seat Replacement Key is a Costly and Time Consuming Process

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Lost or Stolen Keys

Key replacement is an expensive and time-consuming process. In addition to the expense of a new key, you could need to have your vehicle towed and your car's computer chip replaced with the new key, which could be quite expensive.

One method to save time and money is to avoid losing your keys in the first place. Consider adding a brightly colored reflective piece of your keychain or painting the bow of your key with a hue that is noticeable. It's also recommended to keep a copy of the seat replacement key in a safe place, just in case you lose the original.

If you do find your key lost you can identify it by looking at the code on the bow of the key. This information will help you determine if it's the correct key for your seat leon key fob programming.

Transponder Chip Keys

Transponder keys, also called key FOBs or chip keys (fobs which control your key), are one of the most common types of car key. They've been in use for over two decades and are designed to prevent theft by sending a coded message to your car every time it's inserted into the ignition.

Transponders are microchips that are embedded in the plastic cover on your car keys. When the key is placed into a key FOB, or ignition in your car, it sends a low-level radio signal the vehicle's Engine Control Unit (ECU). The ECU recognizes a unique digital serial number on the chip, and responds accordingly. If the signal matches then the engine will be started.

While transponder chips aren't foolproof, they're a great way to reduce auto thefts. The concept behind these kinds of keys for cars dates back to World War 2 military planes that utilized codes to differentiate them from aircrafts that were pursuing.

A locksmith can create an identical transponder for you in case you're locked out and require a replacement. This process is more complex than rekeying a standard key, because the chip in the new key needs to match the receiver inside the car's system. This is why getting the same transponder key again from a dealer is usually more expensive.

Keys Laser Cut Keys

Different from the traditional mechanical cut keys, which only allow the key to rotate in only one direction, laser cut car keys have grooves cut out on both sides. They are more difficult to duplicate and are only put into the lock or ignition from either side. Also known as sidewinder keys are a step above the basic transponder keys/chip keys and offer more security in the event of theft.

To create a Laser Key, the locksmith first needs to identify the cuts from the key fob they have to determine the type of blank that needs to be used. The locksmith will then set up the key-cutting machine in order to cut the key in line with the initial cuts. This requires a key cutting machine that is more sophisticated than the wheel-based duplicators found in hardware stores.

While they cost more than regular keys, they provide additional security for your vehicle. This is due to the fact that laser keys cannot be duplicated by the same machines used to make standard edge-cut keys. This helps to prevent the practice of "key jumping," where a key is programmed to work on a variety of vehicles and allows it to turn the lock and even start the engine. Keys can only be recovered by a professional locksmith or dealership.