Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper

As technology advances, the days of turning a key to start your car are disappearing. We now have remote programming. Even these are susceptible to malfunction and require professional assistance. A mobile locksmith who is trained and skilled is the best option to get quick replacement of your car keys.

You can also purchase spare keys from a dealer. However it must be programmed for your specific vehicle prior activation. Locksmiths who have access to your VIN and registration or title are able to do this.

Lost or Stolen keys

Mini Cooper owners choose their Mini Coopers because of their high resales value with low maintenance requirements, as well as high gas mileage. Like any other car Mini Cooper keys may be lost or stop working. If this happens, a reputable locksmith can come to your rescue.

Most modern vehicles utilize remote key fobs that allow you to open doors and start engines. These keys are connected to an immobiliser system that prevents the vehicle from operating in the event that the correct key isn't present. It's costly to replace it the fob if it is lost.

Newer models of cars include an electronic chip embedded in their key fobs that talks to the transponder in your car's engine. The chip is equipped with a code that is unique to the car you own. If you need a replacement chip, it needs to be programmed for your vehicle by a licensed dealer or a locksmith who has the right tools.

It is costly to replace your keys at a dealership, but this is often the only choice. A professional mobile locksmith can come to you and make a new key for lower, especially if have the registration or title of your car on hand to prove you are the owner of the vehicle.

Unlocking Your Car

The dreadful realization that you locked the keys to your car can ruin your day and leave you waiting for an tow truck or friend to unlock the door for you. There are some clever techniques that you can apply to save time and money.

The first step is to locate an extremely long, thin rod. A clothes hanger made of wire works well, but you could also use rods made of a strong piece of plastic or even a shoelace. It should be thin enough to allow it to fit into the door's seams, and long enough to reach to the lock button.

Create a slip knot on the string (a sliding knot that cinches tightly when pulled). The loop from the slip knot over the lock button. Gently wiggle back and forth the string by putting the slip knot on top of the lock button in back-and-forward motions until the knob on the inside of your door opens.

This trick isn't suitable for all situations however it's an excellent option for a variety of cars. It's particularly helpful if your car has the locking mechanism located on the side of the door rather than at the top. If there is a knob on the top of your door, you can also make use of this method in the event that you have it. Just be careful not to harm your car in the process.

Resetting Your Key Fob

If you lose the key fob, or change the battery, you might need to reset it. This won't usually affect the functionality of the key, but it's possible you installed the battery in a wrong way. It's recommended to take the new battery to the dealership for installation, so they can ensure it's matched to your car.

You'll need to ensure you have another working key in your possession while you're trying to reset yours. Relax in a driver's seat and put your blank key somewhere nearby. Then, push the small silver tab on the back of your key fob, and pull out the metal key and remove the battery from its location. Replace the battery with a new one, and ensure it's on the right side (the negative side is on the outside of the fob).

After you have replaced the battery on your key, you can turn on the car. Press the lock and unlock buttons on all of your fobs to programme them using the vehicle's computer. After all fobs have been programmed then return to your vehicle and lock it in the same way as usual. Make sure that you shut off the ignition following this to stop the program in case you are waiting too long between actions could cause your car to erase all its commands.

Replace the locks

It's a pain to be locked out of your car and it can be costly to replace keys. The dealer will charge around $150 for a new key fob, but locksmiths may charge more. The best way to avoid this is to always keep your spare key for mini cooper in a safe location, or to buy a smart lock for your mini cooper to unlock it using your smartphone.

It is possible to replace the door lock actuator on your own but it requires a bit of patience and hard work. The first step is to take out the old actuator. To do this, grab the inside and pull it out. Take off the rod that is connected to the manual lock. It's a rod with black plastic on one end. The rod connects to the actuator's clip. It isn't easy to locate and then put back into place this part and it is recommended to keep the window shut down while you work on it.

Then, remove the battery cover and remove the old battery. Then, you can install the new battery and replace the cover. Finally, put the actuator back on and ensure that the top end of the control rod fits in the fitting at the top of the actuator. You may need to use some force to push the actuator to fit. After that your doors should then lock and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob. If they don't work, you'll need to call a certified locksmith or the dealership for help.