Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
The days of turning the key to operate your car are slowly disappearing as technology advances. Instead, we have remote programming options. Even these can fail and require assistance from a professional. To replace your car keys quickly an experienced mobile locksmith is the best choice.
You can purchase an additional key from a dealer, however it will need to be programed to your specific vehicle before activation. Locksmiths with access to your VIN, registration or title are able to do this.
Keys that have been stolen or lost are
The owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose Mini Coopers due to their excellent gas mileage, low maintenance requirements and high resale worth. But, as with any other car keys may disappear or stop working. If this happens, a good locksmith will assist you.
Most modern vehicles utilize remote key fobs that allow you to open doors and begin their engines. These fobs are connected an immobiliser that stops the vehicle from operating when the correct key isn't available. It's costly to replace it the fob if it is lost.
Modern car models include an electronic chip in the key fobs, which communicates to the transponder within your vehicle's engine. This chip has a code that is unique to the car you own. If you want to replace it, it will have to be programmed to your car's specific model, which requires an authorised locksmith or dealer equipped with the right tools.
Getting your keys replaced at a dealership can be costly but it's usually the only alternative. A mobile locksmith can create you a key for an affordable price in particular when your registration or title is available to prove that you own the vehicle.
Unlocking Your Car
The horrible realization that you locked your keys inside your car can ruin your day and leave you stuck waiting for an auto tow truck or friend to unlock the door for you. There are fortunately clever ways you can use to save time and money.
The first step is locate a long, thin rod. A clothes hanger made of wire works well, but you could also use an iron rod made of an incredibly strong strip of plastic or even a shoelace. It should be thin enough for it to pass through the door's seams and long enough to reach to the lock button.
Tie a slip-knot in the string. The loop of the slip knot above the lock button. Use your fingers to gently move the string around the knot over the lock button in back-and-forth movements until the knob inside the door opens.
This trick might not work in all cases, but it is an excellent solution for a lot of automobiles. This trick is especially useful for locking mechanisms that are on your car is located on the side rather than the top. If your car has knobs on the top of the door, this technique may also be able to help you if you've got the correct tool in your arsenal. Be careful not to cause damage to your vehicle in the process.
Resetting Your Key Fob
It's possible that you need to reset your key fob if you change the battery or lose it. In most cases, this won't affect the functionality of your key, but if it doesn't work immediately it could be because you've installed the battery incorrectly. You should take the new battery to the dealership to be installed to verify that it's the right one for your car.
When you're trying to reset your key, you'll require a second working one. Then, get in the driver's chair and set your new blank key somewhere near. Press the small silver tab at the back of the fob to reveal the keys made of metal, and then take the batteries off. Replace the battery with a fresh one, and make sure it's on the right side (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).
After you've replaced your new key battery Turn the car on. Press the lock/unlock buttons on your fobs to programme them into the vehicle's computer. After all fobs have been programmed, return to your vehicle and lock it as normal. It is essential to turn off your ignition to complete the programming process. If you hold off too long, the car may not be able to execute all its commands.
Replace the locks
Locked out of your car an immense trouble, and it can cost a lot to replace keys. Locksmiths can charge upwards of $150 for an ignition key. The dealer will charge you around $150. It is recommended to keep your spare keys in a safe location, or purchase a smartlock for your mini cooper that allows you to unlock it using your smartphone.
It is possible to replace the door lock actuator yourself however, it requires some patience and work. The first step is to disassemble the old actuator. To do this, reach inside and take it out. Take off My Home Page that's attached to the manual lock. It's a rod with black plastic on one end. This rod goes into an actuator's clip. It isn't easy to locate and then put back in place this component, so it is best to keep the window shut down while you work on it.
Next, remove the battery cover and remove the old battery. Then install the new battery and replace the cover. Finally, you can put the actuator back in place, making sure the star end of the control rod fits into the fitting on the top of the actuator. You may need to use some force to move the actuator in place. After this your doors should then lock and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they don't, you will have to contact a licensed locksmith or dealership for assistance.