Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
As technology advances, the days of turning a key to start your car are slowly disappearing. Instead, we are using remote programming options. Even mini keys and need a professional to assist. A mobile locksmith who is trained and skilled is the best option to get quick car key replacement.
You can also purchase spare keys from a dealer, however it must be programmed to the specific car you own prior to activation. This is only done by locksmiths who have access to your VIN and registration or title.
Keys stolen or lost
The owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose them for their great gas mileage, low maintenance requirements and a high resale price. Similar to other cars Mini Cooper keys could get lost or cease to function. If this happens, a good locksmith will assist you.
Modern vehicles have remote key fobs that can be used to open doors and start engines. They also have an immobiliser system which prevents the vehicle from being driven without the correct key. If you lose one, buying a replacement will be expensive.
Modern car models include an electronic chip inside their key fobs that communicates to the transponder in the engine of your car. The chip is unique and has a code that only matches the code in your car. If you require an upgrade chip, it needs to be programmed for your car through an authorized dealer or a locksmith with the right tools.
It's costly to replace your keys with a dealer, but this is often the only choice. A mobile locksmith can make keys for you at less and especially in the event that your registration or title is in hand to prove that you own the vehicle.
Unlocking Your Car
The horrible realization that you locked the keys to your car could make your day miserable and leave you stuck waiting for a tow truck or a friend to unlock the door for you. There are fortunately clever strategies you can apply to save yourself time and money.
The first step is locate a long, thin rod. You can use a wire clothes hanger however, you could also use a rod that is composed of a sturdy strip of plastic, or even shoelace. It must be thin enough to pass into the door's seams and long enough to reach the lock button.
Attach a slip knot to the string (a sliding knot that tightens as it is pulled). Put the loop of the slip knot on the lock button. Move gently back and forth the string using the slip knot placed over the lock-button using back-and-forward motions until the knob on the inside of the door opens.
This trick won't work in every case however it's an excellent alternative for a lot of cars. It's especially useful if your car has the locking mechanism that is located on the side of the door, instead of at the top. If you have a knob on the top of your door, you can use this method as well when you have it. Be careful not to damage your car during the process.
Resetting Your Key Fob
If you lose the key fob, or change the battery, you may require a reset. This won't usually affect the function of the key, however it's possible that you installed the battery in a wrong way. You should bring the new battery into the dealership to be installed to confirm that it's a suitable one for your car.
If you're trying to reset the key, you'll need a working key. You should sit in the driver's chair and place the blank key somewhere nearby. Then, push the small silver tab on the back of your key fob, and remove the key from the metal then remove the battery from its location. 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 key battery switch the car on. Press the locks and unlock buttons on each fob to program them using the computer in your vehicle. Once all fobs have been programmed, you are able to return to your car and lock it in the same way as you normally do. Make sure that you shut off the ignition afterward to terminate the programming process in case you are waiting too long between actions could cause your car to erase all of its commands.
Replace the locks
It's a hassle to get locked out of your car and is costly to replace keys. The dealer will charge approximately $150 for a brand new key fob, and locksmiths may charge more. The best way to prevent this is to store your spare key in a safe place, or to purchase a smart lock for your mini cooper to unlock it using your phone.
It is possible to replace the door lock actuator yourself but it requires a bit of patience and work. The first step is to pull off the old actuator by grabbing it from the inside and pulling it out. Make sure to take out the rod that is used for the manual lock it's a rod with a black plastic tip on one end, which is then inserted into an attachment on the actuator. This component can be difficult to locate and reinstall into place, so it's a good idea leave the window rolled up while working on this.
Then, remove the cover and the old battery. Install the new battery and then replace the cover. Then, place the actuator back into place by making sure that the star end of the control rod fits in the fitting at the top of the actuator. It's a tight fitting so you may have to apply some force to bring it into place. After that, your doors should lock and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they do not then you'll need to speak with a locksmith or the dealer for assistance.