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What is a Smart Key Car Key? Also known as proximity keys, key fobs or remote keys, smart keys are used to unlock doors and start engines without the driver needing to insert the physical key. They communicate with one another through radiofrequency signals. Among other things, this helps to protect cars by preventing attempts at hotwiring. Smart keys emit unique encrypted signals that keep them from being used by other vehicles. Convenience Instead of inserting keys into the ignition slot to lock and unlock your vehicle by simply touching the handle on your door or trunk. Many modern vehicles also offer the ability to remotely start your engine. This is particularly helpful if you are bringing groceries in or transporting passengers, or equipment. This technology is designed to stop theft of vehicles. Smart keys send out encrypted signals instead of a single frequency as a regular keyfob does. This blocks other cars from receiving and responding to the same signal. This explains How Stuff Works Electronics. Some manufacturers also include computers in their vehicles that recognizes the unique fingerprint of every key. This helps to ensure that only authorized users are using it. This is useful if you loan your vehicle to family members or friends. Certain smart keys also save user preferences, allowing mirrors, seats, and steering wheel adjustments as and stereo presets can be set automatically when the key is within range of the vehicle. For added convenience, some smart keys can be programmed to stop the car from exceeding a speed limit once it has been started with that particular key. This is a great method to protect new drivers, and it's also recommended when you have children in the back of the vehicle. Security Traditionally keys for cars were made from metal and used to unlock the ignition. With smart key technology however, this is no longer necessary. Smart keys are equipped with a chip which sends a signal from the antenna to your car. Our Home Page when the driver presses the button on the trunk release or door handle. This means it's not possible to lock your keys in your car. The signal that the smart key sends to your car is encrypted, meaning that only the owner can use it. A majority of models also shut down the engine if the car hasn't been started in a few minutes. This is especially helpful if you are in a dangerous area or have to leave your vehicle for any reason. A number of systems also include backup systems for opening and starting the car if the battery of the smart key goes out during a ride. The backup method involves putting the key into the slot, or putting it close to a specific area of the cockpit which transfers energy to an electric motor. Certain manufacturers also include an emergency mechanical key blade hidden in the key which can be used to open the trunk and start the car in case of need. Battery Life The majority of newer cars have keyless entry systems and push-button starters. They are controlled by a smart device that communicates with the car using proximity technology. These systems utilize a tiny transmitter powered by a lithium coin-sized battery. Like any other battery that will eventually require replacement. Although smart key fobs are designed to last for years They can be suddenly lost power. If the fob battery is dead, you won't be able to unlock or start your car when you place it near the front door. It's not unusual to find the transmitter in the smart key to drain the battery. It sends a signal to your car each time you touch an option, but the majority times, the smart key is doing nothing. A single lock/unlock signal uses only a fraction of the battery power of the fob, so there is easily several years worth of signals worth of battery life left in the average smart key battery. The fob can also drain the battery if placed near other devices that emit electromagnetic field such as phones and computers. These devices produce their own magnetic fields, which could interfere with the fob's own transmitter and cause it to operate more slowly. In certain cases the fob might cease to function entirely when the fob is placed too close to these devices, as per RepairPal. Maintenance Smart keys differ from traditional keys made of metal by using technology to control the locks of your vehicle, as well as perform other functions. It functions by sending a signal from the fob to antennas within and outside the vehicle. These antennas detect the signal and then communicate with your car's computer. The car interprets the signal, which allows you to turn it on or open the door without a physical key. The fob is now the hub of numerous electronic features on new automobiles. The most obvious features are locking and unlocking your car, remote starting and chirping sound to assist you in finding your car in a parking spot. Some fobs also let you store specific settings for various drivers and remotely open windows and sunroofs. The transmitter itself is a complex device that has an integrated circuit board and it is susceptible to damage by repeated use or exposure to heat or cold. The transmitter can be damaged if hit or dropped. The battery contacts can become bent. These issues can be difficult to identify and resolve. Try using your phone to bypass the issue and see if it works however, it's always a good idea to keep a backup key in your pocket, just in case. You can purchase an alternative to the majority of OEM smart keys for up 70 percent less and is backed by a three-year better-than-OEM warranty.