The Most Pervasive Problems With Smart Car Key
Smart Keys For Cars
Smart keys are wireless remotes that unlock doors and open the trunk without the need for a traditional mechanical blade. It also allows you to start your car without having to turn a key.
Most smart keys come with battery indicators and will notify you well in advance of a low charge. Replacing the battery is a fast and simple process that doesn't require any specialized tools.
Convenience
Smart keys are able to unlock doors, trunks and turn on the engine of the car without the driver needing to use a metal key. They also have features designed to deter vehicle burglaries and thefts. For instance, the panic key which makes noises to scare off potential thieves in areas that are not accessible to them, like underground garages.
Key fobs accomplish all of these functions via radio transmissions between the car key fob and the car, using low-power wireless technology. This is a wonderful convenience, especially for drivers who are often traveling and don't have time to spare.
A smart key is typically made to look more like a plastic card than an actual key, and can be used to open the trunk or doors of a car when a button on the fob is pressed. Some smart keys feature a touchscreen that allows drivers to control their vehicle's settings, such as climate and sound.
The RFID signal sent between a car key fob is unique, encoded and connected to the car's onboard computer. This makes it impossible for criminals who are tech-savvy to wire a stolen vehicle equipped with the key fob. Key fobs can also be programmed to send a new frequency signal every time they're used, meaning the onboard computer won't recognize an old one as the "true" signal.
Security
Many people are reluctant to adopt digital keys because they are concerned about security. While having a tangible key fob at hand does feel safer, it's important to understand that digital keys are also more secure than you think. Digital keys are encrypted and the signal they transmit to a car can be verified by an onboard computer. This means that even if your smart key fob is stolen the car will not start.
Smart keys unlike traditional keys, operate by using the built-in antennas in your car to communicate with it and perform standard functions like unlocking and starting your vehicle. This feature lets you access your vehicle without needing to insert an actual key into the lock or ignition, which is often a hassle.
If you lose your smart key, or if its battery goes out there is an alternative method to open and start your car. For example emergency starting can be accomplished by placing the key in a slot or putting it in a particular spot in the cockpit, which is where an inductive coil that can transfer energy is hidden.
Furthermore, many smart keys come with a low-battery indicator that warns you well before it goes completely dead. You can easily replace the battery on your own should you need to.
Auto-adjusting settings
Instead of the physical keys for your car smart keys make use of radio waves to unlock and lock the vehicle. They also allow you to remotely start your engine and keep track of the location of your vehicle in case you forget where it's parked.
Certain smart keys have settings that automatically adjust the car's interior and exterior based on the key that is detected. For example the car can detect which key you're using and automatically adjust the seating position, mirror settings and the temperature control. smart keys cars is helpful if you have multiple drivers or want to restrict certain features when you lend your car to a novice driver.
Smart keys also have the benefit of using encryption to protect against theft. This is not possible with traditional keys. This makes it very difficult for thieves who are tech-savvy to take over a vehicle through replicating a valid frequency signal, according to How Stuff Works Electronics. Smart keys transmit a unique, encrypted signal every time the vehicle is locked or remotely opened.
Just like any other battery-powered device the battery in a smart key will eventually deplete its juice. The majority of systems have backup systems to unlock the car's doors and start it in case the battery fails. The emergency method varies however, it is usually holding the keys within the range of the lock sensor or pressing the key with a button which activates the emergency starter.
Battery backup
Modern smart keys are identified by the terms keyless entry systems and passive entry. They utilize the transmitter to open your vehicle. The transmitter is incorporated into the key fob that you carry around with you, and the receivers are placed inside your vehicle and around the outside. The receivers can detect the radio frequency signal transmitted by your smart key when you get close to your vehicle and open the ignition and doors.
This system comes with many advantages, like not having to hunt in the dark for keys, but it is vulnerable to certain types of attacks. For instance, if the key's battery fails or is lost, someone could be able to pick up the low-frequency transmission signals of your key and then open your car, reports How Stuff Works Electronics. This is the reason why many smart keys feature encrypted signals to make hacking difficult.
However, these systems may be affected by electromagnetic fields generated by computers, cell phones and other devices. So if you find that your smart key fob is not functioning correctly, it could be caused by interference. In that case you should not place your key in proximity to any device until the fob's battery has been replaced. Fortunately, many smart keys will notify you ahead of time if their batteries are drained and the procedure to replace the batteries is quite easy.