Car Key Replacement Tips For Your Mini Cooper The days of turning the key to operate your vehicle are disappearing as technology improves Instead, we are using remote programming options Even these aren't perfect and need a professional to assist To replace your car keys quickly, a professional mobile locksmith is the best choice You can also buy an extra key from an authorized dealer However it must be programmed to your specific vehicle before activation Locksmiths with access to your VIN or registration number, as well as your title can do this Keys stolen or lost Mini Cooper owners choose their cars for their high resale prices Low maintenance requirements and great gas mileage But, just like any other vehicle keys can go missing or stop working A reliable locksmith can help you in the event of this happening Modern vehicles rely on remote key fobs that allow you to open doors and start their engines These fobs have an immobiliser feature that stops the vehicle from being driven without the correct key It's expensive to replace when you lose it Modern car models include an electronic chip in their key fobs which talks to the transponder in your car's engine The chip contains a code that is unique to your car If you want to replace it chip, it must be programmed to your car's specific model that requires an authorized dealer or a locksmith equipped with the right tools The process of replacing your keys at a dealership could be costly but it's usually the only alternative Locksmiths on the move can make keys for you at a much lower price and especially when your title or registration is in hand to prove that you own the car Unlocking Your Car It can be a nightmare by discovering that you've locked your keys inside your car You could be left waiting for someone else to come to unlock the door or for a tow truck to arrive Fortunately, there are clever ways you can use to save time and money The first step is to locate the longest, thin rod You can make use of a clothes hanger made of wire, but you can also utilize a rod made of a strong strip of plastic, or shoelace It must be thin enough to pass through the door seam, and long enough to reach the lock button Tie a slip-knot in the string Place the loop of the slip knot on the lock button Gently wiggle back and forth the string with the slip knot placed over the lock-button using back-and-forward motions until the knob on the inside of the door opens This trick may not work in all situations however it's a great alternative for a lot of cars This trick is especially helpful for locking mechanisms that are on the car is situated on the side, instead of the top If you have a knob located on the top of your door, you can also make use of this method in the event that you have it Be sure not to harm the car Resetting Your Key Fob If you lose the key fob, or change the battery, you might need to reset it https//wwwthekeylabcouk/mini-car-keys/ 's not likely to impact the function of your key, but if it doesn't work right away there's a chance that you have installed the new battery in a wrong way It's best to take the new battery to the dealership to have it installed so that they can ensure it's in sync with your vehicle When you're trying to reset your key, you'll require a second working key You should sit in the driver's chair and put your blank key somewhere nearby Press the small silver tab on the back of the fob to reveal the keys made of metal, and then remove the batteries Replace the battery and be sure that it's in the correct way up the negative end should be on the outside Once you've replaced the new key battery, turn the car on Press the locks and unlock buttons on all of your fobs to program them with the vehicle's computer Once all fobs are programmed go back to your vehicle and lock it as normal It is essential to turn off your ignition to complete the program If you wait too long, the vehicle could lose all of its commands Replace the locks It's a hassle to be locked out of your car and also costly to replace keys The dealer will charge you about 150 for a new key fob, but locksmiths may charge more It is best to keep spare keys in a secure location or purchase a new smartlock for your mini cooper to unlock it using your smartphone It is possible to replace the door lock actuator on your own however it requires some patience and perseverance The first step is to take out the old actuator To accomplish this, you need to reach inside and remove it Remove the push rod that is connected to the manual lock It's a rod that has black plastic on one end This rod goes into the actuator's clip It can be difficult to locate and then put back in place this component and it is recommended to keep the window shut down while you work on it Then, take off the cover and remove the old battery Install the new battery and then replace the cover Install the actuator, making sure that the slant end of your control rod fits into the fitting on the top of the actuator You may have to apply a bit of force to bring the actuator in place After doing this the doors should lock and unlock when you press the buttons on the key fob If they do not, you'll need to contact an authorized locksmith or dealer for assistance