Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
As technology improves the days of turning a key to operate your car are disappearing. Nowadays, we can use remote programming. These can also fail and require assistance from a professional. A locksmith with experience is the best choice for quick replacement of car keys.
You can also buy an extra key from an authorized dealer. However it must be programmed to your specific vehicle prior to activation. This is only possible through an authorized locksmith who has access to your VIN and registration or title.
Keys stolen or lost
The owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose Mini Coopers for their high gas mileage, low maintenance requirements and a high resale value. Like any other car Mini Cooper keys may be lost or not work. A good locksmith can help you in this situation.
Modern vehicles are equipped with remote key fobs that can be used to open doors and even start engines. These fobs have an immobiliser mechanism that prevents your vehicle from operating without the proper key. It's expensive to replace the fob if it is lost.
Newer car models have an electronic chip inside their key fobs that communicates to the transponder located in your vehicle's engine. The chip is equipped with a code that is unique to your vehicle. If you need a replacement chip, it must be programmed for your vehicle through an authorized dealer or a locksmith who has the appropriate tools.
The process of replacing your keys at a dealer could be expensive however, it's often the only alternative. A mobile locksmith can give you a key for lower cost and especially when your title or registration is on hand as proof that you have the car.
Unlocking Your Car
The horrifying realization that you locked your keys inside your car could ruin your day and leave you stuck waiting for a tow truck or a friend to unlock the door for you. Fortunately, there are some clever ways you can use to save yourself time and money.
The first step is to find an extremely long, thin rod. You can use a wire clothes hanger or make use of a rod composed of a sturdy strip of plastic, or shoelace. It must be thin enough for it to fit through the door's seams and sufficient in length to reach the lock button.
Attach a slip-knot to the string. Attach the loop from the slip knot over the lock button. Then gently wiggle the string using the slip knot on top of the lock-button using back-and-forward movements until the knob in the interior of the door opens.
This trick might not be effective in all situations, but it is 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 rather than at the top. If you have a knob on the top of your door, you can also utilize this method to lock it if you own it. Be careful not to damage the car.
Resetting Your Key Fob
If you lose your key fob or replace the battery, you may require a reset. Most of the time, this won't affect the functionality of your key, but in the event that it doesn't work immediately, there's a possibility that you've installed the new battery in the wrong way. It is recommended to take the new battery to the dealership to be installed so that they can verify that it's the right one for your vehicle.
If you're trying to reset your key, you'll need another working key. Then, get in the driver's seat and put your new blank keys aside in a location close to the car. Then, push the small silver tab on the back of the key fob and take out the key made of metal, then remove the battery from its position. Replace the battery with a new one, and ensure it's on the right side (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).
After you've replaced your new key battery switch the car on. Press the lock and unlock buttons on each of your fobs to program them with the vehicle's computer. When all of the fobs have been programmed, they can go back to your car and lock it in the same way as you normally do. Turn off your ignition to complete the program. If you are waiting too long, your car could lose all its commands.
Replace the locks
It's a pain to get locked out of your car, and it's expensive to replace keys. The dealer will charge you around $150 for a new key fob, but locksmiths may charge more. It is recommended to keep your spare keys in a safe place or purchase a smartlock for your mini cooper to unlock it using your smartphone.
Replacing the door lock actuator can be a simple DIY project for a lot of people however it takes 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. Take off the rod that is connected to the manual lock. The Keylab 's a long rod with black plastic on one end. The rod is connected to the actuator's clip. This component can be difficult to find and get back into place, so it's a good idea to keep the window closed while you work on this.
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 slant end of the control rod fits into the fitting on the top of the actuator. It's a tight fitting, so you might need to use some force to bring it in place. After that, your doors should lock and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they do not you'll have to contact a locksmith or a dealer for assistance.