Car Keys For Aging Parents and Loved Ones

Sometimes caregivers of loved ones in their senior years have to make difficult choices. If an elderly parent or loved one is driving dangerously it could be time to get rid of the keys to their car.

A lot of cars come with a driver setting that is set to a particular key. This feature is particularly useful if you are sharing the vehicle with several people.

Transponder Keys

Transponder keys are standard in the majority of modern automobiles. They provide an additional layer of security to the car that metal keys made of flat metal can't. These are tiny microchips that are embedded in your key. They transmit an alert to an immobilizer device on the car, allowing it only to start if a valid keys is within range. This type of technology has drastically reduced car theft rates around the globe.

It's not an absolute guarantee. Professional thieves have come up with ways to fake the signals, and hotwire vehicles. They can also repurpose standard cut key blanks and create their own transponder keys. Even if your car is equipped with transponders, it's worth getting a spare.

A reputable locksmith can make keys for you at a fraction of the cost of a dealership for cars. They will examine your key to determine the most efficient methods of programming and copying. The new key can be programmed to work with your vehicle.

A reputable locksmith should be able to assist with non-transponder keys or "flat" keys. These keys connect to your car through mechanical means not electronic technology. These keys are simpler for children to use which makes them less secure. Anyone with a key-cutter can also copy keys.

Smart Keys

A majority of modern vehicles are equipped with smart keys, a kind of key fob which performs the same functions as the remote, but also comes with additional features. Smart keys are able to lock and unlock your vehicle from a distance, without needing to touch any buttons. They can also be used to start your engine. These features are functional even if the key is hidden in your pocket or purse.

Smart keys are extremely secure. Hackers aren't able to steal your car since the signals they send are encrypted. Additionally, a computer in your vehicle confirms the code that is projected by the smart keys before it starts the engine.

The technology is still developing, and you may have to deal with some glitches in the system. For instance, if the key and phone are too close together the normal operating signals could interfere with the signal that your smart key transmits.

Some smart keys feature a small color touch screen. For instance, BMW developed the Display Key with a screen which allows the user to perform a variety functions using the key fob including locking, unlocking and starting. The key can also notify the owner if its battery is drained and recommend an additional one from your dealer.

Keyless Entry

If you don't want to go as deep as a transponder or smart key, you can still lock and unlock your car by pressing one button. These systems utilize radio waves, or RF which communicate with a receiver inside the vehicle. Based on the type of system, the signal could also turn on the engine of the vehicle and also deactivate the alarm.

Keyless entry eliminates the need to hide spare keys, which are a major theft target. You don't have to worry about misplacing or losing your car keys and this can occur at any moment. You should change the key code often to ensure your security.

The way keyless entry works is that you press the button on your physical or app key fob to send out an audio signal of 315 Megaherz. The signal gets encrypted and scrambled prior to being sent out, which means that even if hackers intercept it, they won't be able to gain access to your car.

Certain keyless entry systems feature active engine starting, which means that the car will run and start even if the key is not within range. This safety feature is designed to keep your car from running low on gas and also to stop poisonous fumes from entering the interior.

Remote Start

Remote start systems can provide convenience and peace of mind, whether the car is parked on the street or in your driveway. With the push of a button on your key fob, or a "start" button through an app the system will send the signal to the RES control module, which will start heating up your engine.

This system can also be used to adjust heated/cooled seats or open and close windows. Some systems are more flexible and come with additional channels that can be used to control things as power-assisted wheel, automatic climate controls, and rear defrost.

The good news is that most seats made after 1995 have a transponder embedded in the key. Therefore, the majority of newer models can be used with remote-start systems. Some older seat leon spare key models require a key with an unmodified transponder. These keys cannot be used with remote-start systems.

Many parents have experienced the moment when they reach back into the car seat of their child and cannot get enough strength to press the release button that is red. A company called NAMRA came up with a solution for this issue that makes it easier to unbuckle the Seat Key even if you're having trouble pressing down on the buckle with your thumb.