Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper

The days of turning the key to operate your car are becoming less common as technology improves. Instead, we now use remote programming options. However, even these may fail and require assistance from a professional. A locksmith with experience is the best choice for quick replacement of your car keys.

You can also purchase an extra key from a dealer, however it must be programmed to your specific car before activation. Locksmiths who have access to your VIN, registration or title can do this.

Keys lost or stolen

Mini Cooper owners choose their cars for their high resale prices with low maintenance requirements, as well as good gas mileage. However, like any other car, their keys can go missing or stop working. A good locksmith can help you in this situation.

Most modern vehicles use remote key fobs to open doors and start engines. These fobs are connected an immobiliser device that blocks your vehicle from driving when the correct key isn't available. If you lose yours the cost of replacing it is expensive.

Newer car models have an electronic chip in their key fobs which talks to the transponder inside the engine of your vehicle. The chip is unique and has a code that matches only the code of your car. If you get a replacement chip, it needs to be programmed to your car's specific model that requires an authorized dealer or a locksmith equipped with the right tools.

It's costly to replace your keys at a dealership, but this is often the only choice. A professional mobile locksmith can visit you and create keys for less, especially if you have the registration or title of your car in hand to prove you are the owner.

Unlocking Your Car

You could ruin your day by discovering that you've locked your keys inside your car. It could be that you are waiting for someone else to come and unlock the door or for a tow-truck to arrive. Fortunately, there are some clever tricks you can try to save yourself time and money.

The first thing to do is to find a long, thin rod. You can use a wire hanger for clothes, but you can also choose a rod made from a strong piece of plastic, or even a shoelace. It must be small enough to pass into the door's seams and long enough to reach the lock button.

Tie a slip-knot in the string. Put the loop of the slip knot onto the button for the lock. Be gentle and gently wiggle the string with the slip knot on top of the lock button in forward and back movements until the knob on the inside of the door opens.

This trick may not work in all cases however it's a good solution for many automobiles. It's especially helpful for cars that have the locking mechanism that is located on the side of the door instead of at the top. If you have a knob on the top of your door, you can also make use of this method when you have it. Just be careful not to harm your car in the process.

Resetting Your Key Fob

If you lose your key fob or replace mini key fob the battery, you could have to reset it. This will not affect the functionality of the key, [Redirect-Java] but it's possible to install the battery in a wrong way. You should bring the new battery into the dealership to be installed so that they can make sure it's the right one for your vehicle.

When you're trying to reset your key, you'll require a second working one. Sit in the driver's chair and place the blank key near by. Push the small silver tab on the back of the key fob to open the metal keys, then 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 after which you can turn on the car. Press the lock/unlock buttons on your fobs in order to program them into the vehicle's computer. Once all fobs have been programmed, you are able to return to your car and lock it in the same way as you normally do. It is essential to turn off your ignition to complete the programming process. If you wait too long, your car could lose all its commands.

Replacing the Locks

It's a pain to get locked out of your vehicle, and it's expensive to replace keys. Locksmiths can charge upwards of $150 for an ignition key. The dealer will charge about $150. The best way to avoid this is to keep your spare key in a secure location, or to buy a smart lock for your mini cooper to unlock it using your mobile.

Replacing the door lock actuator can be a DIY project for most However, it requires some effort and patience. The first step is to disassemble the old actuator. To accomplish this, you need to reach inside and pull it out. Take off the rod that is connected to the manual lock. It's a rod made of black plastic on one end. This rod goes into an actuator's clip. It isn't easy to locate and put back into place this part which is why it is advised to keep the window shut down while you work on it.

Then, remove the cover and the old battery. Install the new battery and then replace the cover. Install the actuator by making sure that the end of your control rod is inserted into the fitting on the top of the actuator. You may need to use some force to push the actuator in position. After that your doors should then lock and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they do not then you'll need to call an authorized locksmith or dealer for assistance.