Pretty much all new cars nowadays are equipped with smart key technology, which has made putting an integral into your car's door to unlock it or into the ignition switch to start out your car's engine obsolete. Now you've got a transmitter fob, which depends on radio frequencies to unlock a car's doors and start its engine. At the beginning, when intelligent car keys were first introduced, they were mostly found in luxury cars, since it was a pricey technology, and it didn't make sense to implement it in less costly cars. Probably the most popular and advanced smart key systems include Mercedes-Benz's Keyless Go integrated into SmartKeys, Toyota's Smart Key System, Lincoln's Intelligent Access System, and BMW's Comfort Access.
Vehicles that include such technology are equipped with computerized systems, and can identify the driver as they are approaching the car. The system uses several microchips and sensors that transmit information to the smart key, which opens the car's doors because of a radio transponder chip that's installed in the key. This is the so called Passive Keyless Entry System, which doesn't even require you to take your key from your pocket or your bag and pushing a button to unlock the doors. Once you have entered your car, you can start the engine by pressing the engine start button.
These are possibly the most significant advantages of intelligent over traditional car keys. In addition to being very convenient, they make your vehicle difficult to steal. For the reason that thieves can't unlock and start a car that has smart key features utilizing the traditional method, that involves cutting some wires, then stripping and connecting them. The computer system in the car requires that the right code from the smart key is transmitted, and if it generally does not receive it, it won't obtain the car going, whichever and how many wires are cut and connected.
So far as the downsides are concerned, it's worth noting that there are some added costs that come with running a car with a good key technology. If car key cases happen to lose your smart key, it may set you back over $100 to displace it, whereas replacing a traditional key only costs $10 - $15. Plus, you can't purchase a new intelligent key wherever you need, since it's a technology that is trademarked by your car's manufacturer, and you may only get one at an authorized dealership, which means you will most probably waste a lot of time and go through a significant hassle while trying to find a replacement key.
Furthermore, in the event that you forget to show off the engine before you leave the car, and leave the automobile in your garage, carbon monoxide will be released and it will get inside your house, which can bring about fatal consequences.
Last but not least, smart keys can definitely make your car rides more comfortable, nevertheless, you have to keep an eye on them and try not to lose them, since you will need to pay big money to replace them.