You pat down your pockets, rummage through your handbag and slowly panic sets in. Where is the car key? You reach into your jacket pocket – no way. Stay calm and try to recapitulate the last few hours: When was the last time you had the car key in your hand? Where could you have left it? If the key is hopelessly lost, you should react quickly. Because if it's stolen, it's only a matter of time before your car disappears too. This article tells you how to get into your car without a key, who to report the loss to and what to look out for when buying a new car key.
This is how a car key works
Over the years, the car key has increasingly mutated into a small high-tech device. This is equipped with a radio remote control and a transponder chip for the immobilizer. Already since 1998 the immobilizer is a mandatory part of every car key. When you try to start the car, the code signal from the car key is transmitted to a coil right next to the ignition lock. Only if the code matches, the immobilizer is deactivated – and only then the car can be started.
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