Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
The days of turning the key to operate your car are becoming less common as technology improves. Nowadays, we can use remote programming. Even these can fail at times and need a professional to assist. For quick car key replacement, a professional mobile locksmith is the best choice.
You can also buy an extra key from a dealer. However it will require programming for your specific vehicle prior activation. Locksmiths who have access to your VIN, registration or title can do this.
Lost or Stolen Keys
Mini Cooper owners choose their Mini Coopers for their high resale prices as well as their low maintenance requirements and high gas mileage. As with all cars Mini Cooper keys can be lost or stop working. If this happens, a reliable locksmith can help.
Modern vehicles come with remote key fobs which can be used to unlock doors and start engines. These fobs have an immobiliser system that prevents your vehicle from operating without the proper key. It's costly to replace it if you lose it.
The key fobs in the latest models of automobiles have an electronic chip that communicates with the transponder in your vehicle's engine. This chip has a unique code that matches only the code of your car. If you want to replace it chip, it must be programmed to your specific car and requires an authorized dealer or a locksmith equipped with the right tools.
It's expensive to replace your keys with a dealer, but this is usually the only option. A professional locksmith on mobile can come to you and create a new key for much less, especially if you have the registration or title of your car on hand to prove you are the owner.
Unlocking Your Car
It can be a nightmare by realizing that you have locked your keys in your car. You could be waiting for someone to show up to unlock the door or for a tow-truck to arrive. Fortunately, there are clever techniques you can employ to save time and money.
The first thing you need to do is find a long, thin rod. You can use a wire clothes hanger, but you can also utilize a rod made of a strong strip of plastic, or even a shoelace. It must be thin enough to pass through the door seam, and long enough to reach the lock button.
Create a slip knot on the string. The loop of the slip knot in front of the button for locking. The string can be gently wiggled with the knot that is placed over the lock button using back-and-forth movements until the knob inside the door opens.
This trick isn't suitable for every situation but it's a viable solution for a wide range of vehicles. It's especially useful if your car has the locking mechanism 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 also use this method to lock it if you own it. Be careful not to cause damage to the car.
Resetting Your Key Fob
You may need to reset your key fob if you change the battery or lose it. Usually, this won't alter the functionality of your key, however should it not work right away it could be because you've installed the new battery in the wrong way. You should bring the new battery to the dealership to be installed so that they can make sure it's the right one for your vehicle.
While you're trying reset your key, you'll require another working key. Then, sit in the driver's seat, and set your new blank key aside somewhere close. Press the small silver tab at the back of the fob to reveal the keys made of metal, then take the batteries off. Replace the battery and be sure that it is the right way up (the negative end should be on the outside).
After you've replaced the key battery switch the car on. Press G28 Car Keys and unlock buttons on each of your fobs to programme them using the computer in your vehicle. Once all fobs are programmed then return to your vehicle and lock it as normal. It is essential to turn off your ignition to complete the program. If you delay too long, the car may not be able to execute all its commands.
Replacing the Locks
It's a pain to be locked out of your vehicle and is costly to replace keys. Locksmiths will charge you more than $150 for keys. The dealer will charge around $150. It is recommended to keep spare keys in a secure location, or purchase a smartlock for your mini cooper to unlock it with your phone.
It is possible to change the door lock actuator yourself however it requires a bit of patience and perseverance. The first step is to take out the old actuator by reaching inside and pulling it out. Take off the rod that is attached to the manual lock. It's a rod that has black plastic on one end. This rod will be an actuator clip. This can be a challenge to locate and reinstall in place, so it's best to keep the window shut while working on this.
Next, remove the cover of the battery and take off the old battery. Then, install the new battery and replace the cover. Finally, you can put the actuator back into position and ensure that the top end of the control rod fits in the fitting on the top of the actuator. You may need to apply some force to push the actuator to fit. You should now be able lock and unlock your doors by pressing buttons on the keyfob. If they don't work, you'll have to contact a licensed locksmith or the dealership for help.