Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
As technology improves, the days of turning the key to start your car are disappearing. We now have remote programming. Even these are susceptible to malfunction and require professional assistance. If you need to replace a car key quickly, a trained mobile locksmith is the best choice.
You can purchase a spare key from a dealer, however it will need to be programed to your specific vehicle before activation. Locksmiths with access to your VIN, registration or title can do this.
Keys stolen or lost
The owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose them for their great gas mileage, low maintenance requirements and high resale value. However, like any other car keys can disappear or stop working. A professional locksmith can assist you in this case.
Modern vehicles are equipped with remote key fobs which can be used to unlock doors and start engines. They have an immobiliser system which prevents your vehicle from driving without the right key. If you lose one, getting a new one will be expensive.
Newer car models have an electronic chip inside their key fobs that talks to the transponder located in the engine of your vehicle. This chip has a unique code that matches only the code of your car. If you need an upgrade chip, it needs to be programmed in your car by a dealer who is authorized, or a locksmith who has the appropriate tools.
It is costly to replace your keys at a dealer, but this is usually the only option. A mobile locksmith can create keys for you at a much lower price particularly when your title or registration is available to prove that you own the car.
Unlocking Your Car
The terrifying realization that you locked your keys inside your car can ruin your day and leave you waiting for an emergency tow truck or friend to unlock the door for you. There are some clever tricks that you can apply to save time and money.
The first step is locate a long, thin rod. A wire clothes hanger works well, though you might also consider rods made of a strong piece of plastic or even a shoelace. It should be thin enough to fit through the door seam and long enough to reach the lock button.
Create a slip knot on the string (a sliding knot that tightens when pulled). Place the loop from the slip knot onto the lock button. Move gently back and forth the string using the slip knot on top of the lock-button in back-and forward movements until the knob in the interior of the door opens.
This method might not work in all cases, but it is a good solution for many automobiles. It's especially helpful if your car has the locking mechanism that is located on the side of the door, rather than at the top. If your car does have an upper knob of the door, this method may also be able to assist you if you have the right tool on hand. Be sure not to harm the car.
Resetting Your Key Fob
You may need to reset your key fob if you replace the battery or lose it. Usually, this won't affect the functionality of your key, but if it doesn't work immediately, there's a possibility that you've installed the battery in the wrong way. It is recommended to take the new battery to the dealership to be installed so that they can verify that it's the right one for your car.
If you're trying to reset your key, you'll require another working key. After that, sit in the driver's seat, and set the new blank key somewhere close. Press the small silver tab on the back of the key fob to open the keys made of metal, and then remove the batteries. Replace the battery and make sure that it is the right way up (the negative end should be on the outside).
Once you've replaced the new key battery Turn the car on. Press the lock and unlock buttons on all of your fobs to program them using the computer in your vehicle. Once all fobs are programmed, you can go back to your car and lock it just as you would normally. Make sure you turn off the ignition following this to end the programming process, as waiting too long between actions could cause your car to wipe out all its programs.
Replacing the Locks
Locked out of your car is a big issue, and it can be expensive to replace the keys. The dealer will charge you around $150 for a new key fob , but locksmiths can charge more. It is recommended to keep your spare keys in a safe location or purchase a new smartlock for your mini cooper that allows you to unlock it with your phone.
Replacing the door lock actuator can be a DIY project for a lot of people However, it requires a little bit of work and patience. The first step is to pull out the old actuator by grabbing it from the inside and pulling it out. Make sure to take out the push rod to access the manual lock, which is an iron rod with an black plastic tip on one end that connects to an attachment on the actuator. It isn't easy to locate and then put back in place this piece It is therefore recommended to keep the window shut down while you work on it.
Next, take off the cover from the battery and then remove the old battery. Then, install the new battery and replace the cover. Finally, put the actuator back in place with the control rod in the center, making sure that it's positioned so 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 use some force to push it to fit. You should now be able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing the buttons on the keyfob. If they don't, you'll be required to call a reputable locksmith or dealership for assistance.