Smart Car Key: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
smart car key For Cars
Smart keys are wireless remotes that allow you to unlock doors and open the trunk without the need for a traditional mechanical blade. It can also be used to start the car without turning the key.
The majority of smart phones include battery indicators, which warn users in advance of a low battery. Replacing the battery is a simple and easy process that doesn't require any special tools.
Convenience
Smart keys are designed to open trunks and doors as well as turn on the vehicle's engine and start the ignition without having to use a traditional key made of metal. They also have features that are designed to deter burglaries and theft of vehicles, such as a panic button, which creates a loud sound to deter people who might be a threat to thieves or in isolated areas like underground garages with parking.
The key fobs perform all these things by sending radio signals between the car and the key fob by using a low-power wireless technology. This is an excellent feature, particularly for drivers on the move and do not have much time.
A smart key is typically shaped more like a plastic card than an actual key, and can be used to open the trunk or car's doors when the fob's button is pushed. Some of them even come with an integrated touchscreen that allows users to control certain settings on their vehicle, like the climate and the audio.
The RFID signal that is sent between the key fob to a car is unique, secure and connected to the computer onboard this makes it virtually impossible for thieves with a technological background to hotwire a stolen vehicle equipped with one. Key fobs can also be programmed to send an updated frequency signal each time they're used, so the computer that's onboard won't recognise an old signal as the "true" signal.
Security
Many people aren't keen to adopt digital car keys due to the fact that they are worried about security. While having a physical key fob on hand may feel safer but digital keys are more secure than most people believe. They're encrypted, and the signal they transmit to a vehicle is verified by a specific computer onboard. This means that even if your key fob is compromised the car won't start.
Unlike traditional key fobs, smart keys make use of built-in antennas inside your car and the radio pulse generator inside the key fob to communicate with your vehicle and perform functions like unlocking and the start of it. This feature lets you access your vehicle without the need to insert keys that are physically placed in the lock or ignition, which is often a hassle.
If you have lost your smart key or if the battery fails there is an alternative method to open and start your vehicle. Emergency starting can be accomplished by placing the key into the slot, or by holding it close to an space in the cockpit where an inductive coil is able to transfer energy.
Additionally, the majority of smart keys have a low-battery indicator that warns you well before it completely dies. You can easily replace the battery on your own should you need to.
Auto-adjusting settings
Rather than using physical keys, the smart key uses radio waves to unlock and lock the vehicle. They're also able to remotely start your engine and keep track of the location of your vehicle in case you forget where it's parked.
Some smart keys can be programmed to automatically adjust the interior and exterior of the vehicle according to the key that is detected. The car can automatically adjust the position of seats, mirror settings and climate control based on the key that is being used. This is beneficial if you have multiple drivers or wish to restrict certain features when lending your car to a novice driver.
Smart keys also have the benefit of encryption, which can prevent theft. This is not a possibility with traditional keys. This technology makes it very difficult for tech-savvy criminals to hijack a car by imitating a valid signal as reported by How Stuff Works Electronics. Smart keys send a distinct, encrypted signal every time the vehicle is left unlocked or remotely opened.
Just like any battery-operated device the battery of a smart keys will eventually run out of juice. Most of the systems are equipped with a backup plan to open the door and start the car if the battery fails. The emergency method can vary however it typically involves keeping the key within the proximity to the lock sensor on the car or pressing a key button that triggers the emergency starter.
Battery backup
Modern smart keys, sometimes referred to as keyless entry systems or passive entry use a transmitter and receiver to unlock your vehicle. The transmitter is incorporated into the key fob that you carry around with you, and the receivers are located within your vehicle and around the outside of it. When you approach the vehicle, the radio frequency signal from your smart key is recognized by the receivers, and it activates the doors and ignition.
This system comes with many advantages, including not having to search in the dark to find keys, but it is also vulnerable to attacks of a certain type. How Stuff Works Electronics reports that if a key's battery gets depleted or lost it is possible for someone to pick up the low frequency transmission signal and gain access to your vehicle. The majority of smart keys are encrypted signals, which makes hacking more difficult.
If you notice that the smart key fob isn't able to function properly, it could be due to a problem with interference. In this situation, you shouldn't put your keys near devices like these until the battery of the device has been replaced. Fortunately, most smart keys will notify you well in advance when their batteries are drained and the process for replacing them is fairly simple.