Almost all new cars today are equipped with smart key technology, which has made putting a key in your car door to unlock it or in the ignition switch to start your car’s engine obsolete. You now have a remote control transmitter, which relies on radio frequencies to unlock a car’s doors and start the engine. In the beginning, when smart car keys were first introduced, they were mainly used in luxury cars as it was an expensive technology and there was no point in implementing it in less expensive cars. Some of the most popular and advanced smart key systems include Mercedes-Benz’s Keyless Go built into SmartKeys, Toyota’s smart key system, Lincoln’s smart access system, and BMW’s Comfort Access.

Vehicles that come with such technology are equipped with computerized systems and can identify the driver when they approach the car. The system uses various microchips and sensors that transmit information to the smart key, which opens the car doors thanks to a radio transponder chip that is installed in the key. This is a passive keyless entry system, which doesn’t even require you to take the key out of your pocket or purse and press a button to unlock the doors. Once you have entered your car, you can start the engine by pressing the engine start button.

These are perhaps the most significant advantages of smart car keys over traditional ones. Besides being very convenient, they make it difficult to steal your car. This is because thieves cannot unlock and start a car that has smart key functions using the traditional method, which involves cutting some wires, then stripping and connecting them. The car’s computer system requires the correct smart key code to be transmitted, and if it doesn’t receive it, it won’t make the car work, no matter which one and how many wires are cut and connected.

When it comes to the downsides, it’s worth noting that there are some additional costs that come with owning a car with smart key technology. If you lose your smart key, it can cost you more than $ 100 to replace, while replacing a traditional key only costs between $ 10 and $ 15. Also, you cannot buy a new smart key anywhere you want as it is manufacturer-registered technology. of your car, and you can only get one from an authorized dealer, which means you will probably waste a lot of time and go through a lot of hassle trying to find a replacement key.

Also, if you forget to turn off the engine before getting out of the car and leave it in your garage, carbon monoxide will be released and it will enter your home, which can have fatal consequences.

In short, smart keys can definitely make your car trips more comfortable, but you should keep an eye on them and try not to lose them as you will have to pay a lot of money to replace them.