Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
The days of turning the key to operate your vehicle are fading away as technology advances. We now have remote programming. Even these can fail at times and need a professional to help. If you need to replace a car key quickly, a trained mobile locksmith is the best choice.
You can also purchase spare keys from a dealer, but it must be programmed to the specific car you own prior to activation. This is only possible through an authorized locksmith who has access to your VIN and registration or title.
Keys lost or stolen
The owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose Mini Coopers due to their excellent gas mileage, low maintenance requirements and high resale value. Like any other car Mini Cooper keys could be lost or stop working. A reputable locksmith can assist you in the event of this happening.
Modern vehicles have remote key fobs that can be used to open doors and start engines. These fobs are connected to an immobiliser system that prevents your vehicle from driving when the correct key isn't in the. It's costly to replace it when you lose it.
mini cooper replacement key cost of cars include an electronic chip inside their key fobs which talks to the transponder inside your vehicle's engine. The chip has a unique code that is unique to your vehicle. If you need a replacement chip, it needs to be programmed to your car by a dealer who is authorized, or a locksmith with the appropriate tools.
Getting your keys replaced at a dealer could be costly however it's often the only alternative. A mobile locksmith can make you a key for an affordable price and especially when your title or registration is available to prove that you own the car.
Unlocking Your Car
The horrible realization that you locked the keys to your car can cause a lot of stress and leave you stuck waiting for an auto tow truck or friend to unlock the door for you. 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. You can use a wire hanger for clothes, but you can also choose a rod made of a strong 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.
Tie a slip knot in the string (a sliding knot that tightens when pulled). The loop of the slip knot in front of the lock button. Make sure to gently wiggle the string using the knot on top of the lock button in back-and forth movements until the knob inside the door opens.
This trick isn't suitable for every situation, but it's a good alternative for a lot of cars. This technique is particularly helpful when the locking mechanism of your vehicle is on the side instead of the top. If you have a knob located on the top of your door, you can also utilize this method when you have it. Be cautious not to damage the car.
Resetting Your Key Fob
If you lose your key fob or replace the battery, you could have to reset it. This will not affect the functionality of the key, but it's possible that you've installed the battery in a wrong way. You should take the new battery into the dealership to be installed so that they can confirm that it's a suitable one for your vehicle.
It is essential that you have another key to use while you're trying to reset yours. Relax in a driver's seat and put your blank key close by. Then, push the small silver tab on the back of the key fob and take out the key made of metal and remove the battery from its position. Replace the battery with a new one, and ensure it's on the right side (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).
After replacing the key battery, you can turn on the car. Use the lock/unlock buttons on your fobs in order to program them into the vehicle's computer. When all of the fobs have been programmed, you can return to your vehicle and lock it as normal. Make sure to turn off the ignition immediately afterward to end the programming process since a long time between actions could cause your car to erase all its commands.
Replacing the Locks
It's a pain to be locked out of your car and it can be costly to replace keys. The dealer will charge about $150 for a replacement key fob, but locksmiths could charge more. It is best to keep your spare keys in a secure place or purchase a smartlock for your mini cooper that allows you to unlock it with your smartphone.
Replacing the door lock actuator could be a straightforward DIY project for a lot of people, but it requires some effort and patience. 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 pushes for the manual lock it's a rod with an elongated black plastic tip on one end that connects to a clip on the actuator. This part can be tricky to locate and then get back to its place, which is why it's a good idea keep the window open while working on this.
Then, remove the cover and remove the old battery. Install the new battery, and then replace the cover. Finally, put the actuator back into place by making sure that the star end of the control rod fits in the fitting on the top of the actuator. You may need to apply some force to move the actuator into place. You should be able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing buttons on the keyfob. If they do not, you'll need to contact a locksmith or the dealer for assistance.