Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper
The days of turning the key to operate your car are fading away as technology improves. Today, we use remote programming. However, they can also malfunction and require a professional help. A trained mobile locksmith is your best option for quick replacement of your car keys.
You can purchase a spare key from a dealer, but it will need to be programmed to your specific car prior to activation. Locksmiths who have access to your VIN, registration or title are able to do this.
Keys that were stolen or lost are not found
Owners of Mini Cooper cars often choose them due to their outstanding gas mileage, low maintenance needs and a high resale value. Similar to other cars Mini Cooper keys can be lost or stop working. If this happens, a reliable locksmith can come to your rescue.
mini car key cover of modern vehicles use remote key fobs that allow you to open doors and start engines. They have an immobiliser mechanism that prevents your vehicle from operating without the right key. It's expensive to replace if you lose it.
Modern car models include an electronic chip inside their key fobs that communicates to the transponder in your car's engine. The chip is unique and has a code that is only compatible with the code on your car. If you require an upgrade chip, it needs to be programmed to your car through an authorized dealer or a locksmith with the appropriate tools.
It is costly to replace your keys at a dealer, but this is usually the only option. A mobile locksmith can make you a key for a much lower price, especially if your registration or title is present as proof that you own the vehicle.
Unlocking Your Car
You can ruin your day when you realize you've locked your keys inside your car. It could be that you are waiting for someone to show up and unlock the door or for a tow-truck to arrive. There are a few smart tricks that you can use to save time and money.
The first step is to locate a thin, long rod. You can use a wire clothes hanger or utilize a rod composed of a sturdy strip of plastic, or a shoelace. It should be thin enough to allow it to pass into the door's seams, and sufficient in length to reach the lock button.
Make a slip knot in the string (a sliding knot that tightens tightly when pulled). Place the loop of the slip knot over the button for locking. Use your fingers to gently move the string around the knot that is placed over the lock button with back-andforth movements until the knob inside the door opens.
This trick may not work for all situations, but it is a good solution for many automobiles. This method is particularly useful when the locking mechanism of your car is on the side, instead of the top. If your car does have an upper knob of the door, this method could aid you if the appropriate tool at hand. Be careful not to cause damage to the car.
Resetting Your Key Fob
If you lose the key fob, or change the battery, you could require a reset. This will not affect the functionality of the key, but it's possible that you installed the battery in a wrong way. It's a good idea take the new battery to the dealer for installation, so they can ensure it is matched up with your car.
It is essential that you have another key to use while trying to reset yours. Relax in a driver's seat and place the blank key in a nearby location. Push the small silver tab at the back of the fob to release the keys made from metal, and remove the batteries. Replace the battery with a fresh one, and ensure that it's right side up (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).
Once you've replaced the key battery, turn the car on. Press the locks and unlock buttons on all of your fobs to programme them with the car's computer. After all fobs have been programmed go back to your vehicle and lock it in the same way as usual. You must shut off your ignition to complete the programming process. If you hold off too long, the car may not be able to execute all its commands.
Replacing the Locks
It can be a hassle to get locked out of your car and is costly to replace keys. The dealer will charge you approximately $150 for a brand new key fob, while locksmiths can charge more. The best way to avoid this is to always keep your spare key in a secure place, or to purchase a smart lock for your mini cooper so that you can unlock it with your phone.
It is possible to replace the door lock actuator yourself, but it takes some patience and hard work. The first step is to pull out the old actuator by reaching inside and pulling it out. Make sure to remove the push rod for the manual lock it's rod that has an black plastic tip on one end that inserts into a clip on the actuator. It isn't easy to locate and then put back in place this component It is therefore recommended to keep the window closed down while you work on it.
Then, remove the cover and the old battery. Then, install the new battery and replace the cover. Install the actuator to ensure that the star end of your control rod fits into the fitting at the top of the actuator. This is a tight fit, so you might need to use some force to bring it into place. You should be able to lock and unlock your doors by pressing buttons on the keyfob. If they don't, you will be required to call a reputable locksmith or the dealership for assistance.