Car Keys For Aging Parents and Loved Ones
Sometimes caregivers of loved ones with a long-term illness have to make difficult choices. It may be time to take away the car keys of an aging parent.
A lot of cars come with a driver's setting that is configured to a particular key. The Keylab is especially useful if you share the vehicle with a number of people.
Transponder Keys
Transponder keys are standard in all modern vehicles. They add an additional layer of security that metal keys made of flat metal can't. They are tiny microchips embedded in your keys that transmit signals to the car's immobilizer system which allows it to start only when a valid key is within range. This kind of technology has drastically decreased the number of stolen cars around the globe.
It's not 100% secure. Professional thieves have devised ways to disguise the signals, and hotwire a vehicle. They can also use standard cut key blanks to create their own transponder keys. So, even if your car is equipped with transponder keys it's worth purchasing an extra.
A reputable locksmith can create them for you at just a fraction of the cost of car dealerships. They will examine your key to determine the best methods of programming and copying. The new key can be programmed to work with your vehicle.
A reputable locksmith will be able to assist you with "flat" or non-transponder keys. These keys function mechanically via cuts made on the sides of the key and do not use any electronic technology to communicate with your vehicle. They are more convenient to use by children as they are less secure. They can also be copied by anyone with an instrument for cutting keys.
Smart Keys Keys
Many modern vehicles are fitted with smart keys, a form of key fob which performs the standard functions of the remote, but it also has additional features. Smart keys have the ability to lock and unlock your car from a distance without needing to touch any buttons. You can use them to start the engine. These functions are functional regardless of whether the key is in your purse or pocket.
One of the greatest things about smart keys is that they're very secure. The signals they send out are encrypted, meaning that hackers can't use them to steal your car. Additionally, a computer inside your vehicle verifies the rolling code that is projected by the smart key before it starts the engine.
The technology is still in development, and you may have to deal with a few glitches in the system. For instance, if the key and your phone are too close and your phone's normal operating signals could interfere with the signal your smart key sends.
Certain smart keys come with an incredibly small touch screen. BMW for instance, developed the Display Key, which has an LCD that allows the driver to perform different functions from the keyfob, including locking, unlocking and even starting. The key will also alert the owner that their battery is running low and recommend the new key from your dealer.
Keyless Entry
If you do not want to go as far as a transponder or smart key, you can still lock and unlock your car by pressing one button. These systems make use of radio waves, also known as RF which communicate with the car's receiver. Depending on the system employed, the signal can also be used to turn on the engine of the vehicle and disarm the alarm for security.
Keyless entry prevents you from hiding spare keys, which can be the most frequent target of thieves. It also prevents you from worrying about losing or misplacing your car key which could happen to anyone at any point. However, it is important to change the code regularly to ensure that you are secure.
The way that keyless entry works is that you press the button on your physical or app key fob to send out an audio signal at 315 Megaherz. The signal gets encrypted and scrambled prior to being transmitted, so that even if a hacker intercepts it and tries to steal it, they won't be able to gain permanent access to your car.
Certain keyless entry systems come with passive engine starting, which means that the car can run and start even if the key isn't within range. This is a safety feature that's designed to prevent your vehicle from running out of gas as well as to keep toxic fumes from leaking into the cabin.
Remote Start
Remote start systems provide convenience and peace of mind whether your car is on the street or in your driveway. By pressing the button on your key fob, or the command "start" from an app, the system will send the signal to your vehicle's RES control module, which will start heating up your engine.
This system also works for other functions within the vehicle, such as opening and closing windows or adjusting heated/cooled seats. Certain systems are more flexible and incorporate auxiliary channels which can be used to control items as a power-assisted steering wheel, automatic climate control, and rear defrost.
The good news is, that most Seat cars that have been built after 1995 will have transponder chips embedded in the key. Therefore, the majority of newer models are compatible with remote-start systems. However, certain older Seat models require a key with a more basic transponder chip and won't work with remote-start systems.
Many parents have experienced the moment when they get back into the car seat of their child but struggle to press down on the red release button. A company called NAMRA designed a solution for that problem that makes it easy to unbuckle even if you have a hard time pressing down on the buckle using your thumb.