Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
The days of turning the key to operate your vehicle are slowly disappearing as technology advances. Nowadays, we can use remote programming. Even these aren't perfect and need a professional to assist. A mobile locksmith who is trained and skilled is the best choice for quick replacement of your car keys.
You can also purchase spare keys from a dealer. However it must be programmed for your specific vehicle prior activation. Locksmiths who have access to your VIN or registration number, as well as your title are able to do this.
Lost or Stolen keys
The owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose Mini Coopers due to their excellent gas mileage, low maintenance requirements and a high resale price. Similar to other cars Mini Cooper keys can be lost or not work. A good locksmith can help you in this situation.
Modern vehicles come with remote key fobs that can be used to open doors and start engines. These fobs are connected an immobiliser device that blocks your vehicle from being driven if the right key isn't present. If you lose yours the cost of replacing it will cost you a lot.
Newer models of cars include an electronic chip embedded in their key fobs that talks to the transponder inside the engine of your car. This chip has a unique code that only matches the code of your car. If you need a replacement chip, it must be programmed to your car by a dealer who is authorized, or a locksmith who has the right tools.
It can be expensive to replace your keys with the dealer, but this is often the only choice. A professional mobile locksmith will come to you and create an entirely new key for less, particularly if you have your car's registration or title in hand to prove you are the owner.
Unlocking Your Car
You could ruin your day by realizing that you have locked your keys inside your car. It could be that you are waiting for someone to arrive and open the door, or for a tow-truck to arrive. There are fortunately clever techniques you can employ to save yourself time and money.
The first step is to locate an extremely long, thin rod. You can use a wire hanger for clothes however, you could also utilize a rod composed of a strong strip of plastic, or shoelace. It must be thin enough for it to pass into the door's seams, and sufficient in length to reach the lock button.
Create a slip knot on the string (a sliding knot that tightens tightly when pulled). The loop from the slip knot over the button for the lock. Be gentle and gently wiggle the string with the slip knot placed over the lock-button in back-and forward movements until the knob in the interior of the door opens.
This trick may not work in every situation however it's an excellent solution for a wide range of vehicles. The Keylab is particularly helpful when the locking mechanism of your car is on the side instead of the top. If your car does have knobs on the top of the door, this technique might help you if you've got the appropriate tool at hand. Be careful not to hurt your car in the process.
Resetting Your Key Fob
If you lose your key fob or change the battery, you may need to reset it. Usually, this won't impact the function of your key, but should it not work right away it could be because you've installed the battery in the wrong way. You should take the new battery into the dealership to be installed to confirm that it's a suitable one for your car.
It is essential that you have another working key to use while you're trying to reset yours. Then, sit in the driver's chair and set your new blank keys aside in a nearby location. Push the small silver tab at the back of the key fob to pop out the metal keys, then take the batteries off. Replace the battery with a fresh one, and ensure that it's right side up (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).
Once you've replaced the key battery, turn the car on. Press the lock or unlock buttons on your fobs in order to program them into the vehicle's computer. When all the fobs are programmed, then you are able to return to your car and lock it just as you would normally. Make sure to turn off the ignition to end the programming process, as waiting too long between actions could cause your car to erase all of its commands.
Replace the locks
It's a hassle to be locked out of your car and is costly to replace keys. The dealer will charge around $150 for a new key fob, but locksmiths may charge more. It is recommended to keep spare keys in a safe location, or purchase a smartlock for your mini cooper that allows you to unlock it with your smartphone.
It is possible to replace the door lock actuator on your own however, it requires some patience and perseverance. The first step is to remove the old actuator. To do this, grab the inside and remove it. Take off the rod that is connected to the manual lock. It's a long rod with black plastic on one end. This rod will be an actuator clip. It can be difficult to locate and put back in place this component, so it is best to keep the window closed down while you work on it.
Next, remove the cover of the battery and take off the old battery. Then, install the new battery and replace the cover. Install the actuator by making sure that the slant end of the control rod fits into the fitting at the top of the actuator. This is a tight fitting, so you might need to apply some force to push it in place. You should now be able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing the buttons on the keyfob. If they do not then you'll need to call an authorized locksmith or dealer for assistance.