Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
The days of turning the key to operate your car are disappearing as technology improves. Instead, we use remote programming options. These can also fail and require assistance from a professional. A trained mobile locksmith is the best choice for quick car key replacement.
You can purchase an extra key from a dealer, however it must be programed to your specific vehicle before activation. This can only be done by a locksmith that has access to your VIN and registration or title.
Lost or Stolen keys
Mini Cooper owners choose their Mini Coopers for their high resales value, low maintenance requirements and excellent gas mileage. Like all cars Mini Cooper keys could be lost or stopped working. If this happens, a professional locksmith can help you out.
Modern vehicles are equipped with remote key fobs which can be used to open doors and even start engines. These keys are connected to an immobiliser that stops your vehicle from driving if the right key isn't in the. If you lose one, replacing it will be expensive.
Newer car models have an electronic chip embedded in the key fobs, which communicates to the transponder in the engine of your vehicle. This chip has a unique code that only matches the code of your car. If you need a replacement chip, it must be programmed for your car by an authorised dealer, or a locksmith who has the appropriate tools.
Making your keys replace at a dealer could be costly, but it is often the only option. A mobile locksmith can create you a key for a much lower price particularly if your registration or title is in hand to prove that you own the vehicle.
Unlocking Your Car
You can ruin your day by realizing that you have locked your keys inside your car. You could be left waiting for someone to arrive and unlock your door, or for a tow-truck arrive. There are a few smart tricks that you can employ to save time and money.
The first step is to locate the longest, thin rod. A clothes hanger made of wire is ideal, however you could also try an iron rod made of a strong piece of plastic or even a shoelace. It should be thin enough it to pass through the door's seams and long enough to reach the lock button.
Create a slip knot on the string. Attach the loop from the slip knot over the lock button. Use your fingers to gently move the string around the knot on top of the lock button with back-andforth motions until the knob inside the door opens.
This method may not be effective in all situations however it's a good solution for many cars. This trick is especially useful when the locking mechanism of your car is located on the side rather than at the top. If there is a knob on the top of your door, you could also make use of this method to lock it if you own it. Be careful not to damage your vehicle during the process.
Resetting Your Key Fob
You might need to reset your key fob in the event that you change the battery or lose it. Usually, this won't affect the functionality of your key, however in the event that it doesn't work right away it's possible that you installed the new battery in the wrong way. It's a good idea to bring the battery to the dealership to be installed, so they can ensure that it's matched to your car.
It is essential that you have another key in your possession while you're trying to reset yours. Sit in the driver's chair and place the blank key near by. Press the small silver tab at the back of the key fob to pop out the keys made from metal, and take the batteries off. Replace the battery and make sure that it's in the correct way up (the negative end should be on the outside).
Once you've replaced the new key battery then turn on the car. Press the lock or unlock buttons on your fobs to programme them into the vehicle's computer. Once all fobs are programmed go back to your vehicle and lock it in the same way as usual. Turn off your ignition to complete the program. If you delay too long, your vehicle could lose all of its commands.
Replacing new mini key
Getting locked out of your vehicle is an immense issue, and it can cost a lot to replace keys. The dealer will charge approximately $150 for a brand new key fob, but locksmiths may charge more. It is recommended to keep spare keys in a safe place or purchase a smartlock for your mini cooper that allows you to unlock it with your smartphone.
It is possible to change the door lock actuator on your own, but it takes a bit of patience and hard work. The first step is to take out the old actuator by reaching inside and pulling it out. Remove the push rod that is connected to the manual lock. It's a rod that has black plastic on one end. This rod will be the actuator's clip. It can be difficult to locate and put back in its place and it is recommended to keep the window closed 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 to ensure that the end of your control rod is inserted into the fitting at the top of the actuator. You may need to use a bit of force to bring the actuator into place. You should be able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing buttons on the keyfob. If they don't, you will be required to call a reputable locksmith or dealership for help.