Car Keys For Aging Parents and Loved Ones
Sometimes caregivers of elderly loved ones have to make difficult choices. It could be time to take away the car keys of an aging parent.
A lot of cars have a driver setting configured to a particular key. This feature is particularly helpful when multiple people share the vehicle.
Transponder Keys
The majority of modern cars have transponder keys, which add an extra layer of security that keys made of flat metal aren't able to. These are small microchips inside your keys that transmit a signal to the car's immobilizer system and allows it to begin only when a genuine key is within range. This technology has helped to reduce car thefts all over the world.
But it's not 100% secure. Professional thieves have discovered ways to fake these signals while still hotwiring the vehicle. They also reuse key blanks to create their own transponder. Even if your car is equipped with transponders, it's worth purchasing an extra.
A reputable locksmith will make them for you at a fraction of the cost of a dealership for cars. They'll begin by inspecting your key and determining best methods of copying and programming. They can then program the new key to work with your vehicle.
A reputable locksmith will also be able to help you with "flat" or non-transponder keys. These keys connect to your car using mechanical methods and not using electronic technology. These keys are simpler for children to use, making them less secure. They can also be copied by anyone who has the aid of a key cutter.
Smart Keys
Smart keys are a kind of key fob that can be found in many modern automobiles. They perform the same functions as a remote control but they have additional features. Smart keys can be used to lock and unlock your car from a distance, without needing to push any buttons. You can use them to start the engine. These features are functional even if the key is hidden in your purse or pocket.
Smart keys are extremely secure. Hackers aren't able to steal your car due to the signals they send are encrypted. A computer in your car also checks the codes generated by the smart keys prior beginning the engine.
The technology is still in development, and you may need to work through some glitches in the system. If your key and phone are too close to each other, normal operating signals of your cell could interfere with any signal sent by your smart key.
Some smart keys feature a small color touch screen. For instance, BMW developed the Display Key with a display that allows the driver to perform a variety functions from the key fob such as locking, unlocking, and even starting. The key will also notify the owner that their battery is drained and offer to order the new key from your dealer.
The Keylab
If you don't intend to go as far as a transponder or smart key, you can lock and unlock your car by pressing one button. These systems utilize radio signals, known as RF that connect to a receiver inside the vehicle. The system that is used will determine the signal could also turn on the engine of the vehicle and also deactivate the alarm.
Keyless entry eliminates hiding spare keys that are an ideal target for thieves. Also, it stops you from having to worry about losing or misplacing the car key that could occur to anyone at any time. However, you should change the code regularly to ensure that you are secure.
You can use your key fob app or a physical key fob send a radio signal of 315 Megaherz. The signal is encrypted and scrambled prior to sending it, so even if hackers are able to intercept it, they will not be able to gain access to your vehicle.
Some keyless entry systems include passive engine starting, which means that the car can run and start even if the key is not in range. This is a safety feature that's designed to keep your car from running out of gas and also to prevent harmful fumes from getting into the interior of the car.
Remote Start
No matter if your car is parked in your driveway or parked on the street Remote start systems can provide security and peace of mind. With a click of a button on your key fob or a "start" button through an app, the system will send the signal to your vehicle's RES control module, which will turn on and warm up your engine.
This system can also be used to adjust heated/cooled seats, or to open and close windows. Some systems are more flexible and come with additional channels that can be used to control things as a power-assisted wheel automated climate controls and rear defrost.
The good news is that the majority of Seat cars built since 1995 will come with a transponder chip embedded within the key. Most modern cars can be used with remote start systems. Some older Seat models require keys with an ordinary transponder, and will not work with remote start systems.
Most parents have experienced the moment when they reach into the backseat of their child's seat and aren't able to push down on the red car seat buckle release button. A company called NAMRA designed a solution for that problem making it easier to unbuckle the seat even if you're having trouble pressing down on the buckle with your thumb.