Renault Keys - How They Work
Renaults have a complicated system of immobilisers and keys. This can make the process of replacing keys very slow. It could take a long time to code the car unless you have access to it and bring it to us.
Keys
The Renault group is perhaps better known for its production of vans, buses, Lorries and tractors, but they also manufacture cars. Established in 1899 it is a large and well-established business with an array of automobile models. If you lose your car keys or break them, you'll require a replacement quickly. Instead of waiting for your local main dealer to order a replacement one for you and then wait for it to arrive, it arrive, why don't you let us handle it? At KeyNOW we can replace your remote or smart key for you very quickly.
We can provide the mechanical code needed to purchase a Renault Clio V spare key, Captur 2 spare key or New Zoe key from the dealer. We can also reset your Renault Kangoo Traffic or Master key.
Renault has a long record of innovation. It was the first company that used remote central locking in a production vehicle. Paul Lipschultz invented this technology for Niemens an automotive manufacturer of security components. This invention was a major leap forward for car safety.
Remotes
Renault's hands free cards are still used extensively in their vehicles despite the fact that smartphones are replacing them. In fact, they're present in two of the three vehicles Renault sells and their use rate has been rising in recent years. In this video, Pascaline of Renault's products division explains the key components of these cards and explains how they work.
Renaults have an immobiliser mechanism that is quite complex. It is essential to know the basics before you try to unlock your car without the use of a key. Some cars come with an emergency lock that is located on the door handle for passengers that can be utilized in the event of an unreliable key or battery failure. This is a good option for those who don't want to pay a locksmith.
You'll require a device such as an ultra-thin jim or pump-up to remove the key fob. If you don't have these tools, you might need to use the screwdriver and hammer to take off the key fob.
You should be able to get into the passenger side of the door and find a small lock inserted into the side panel of the driver near the door handle. This is a security measure to stop thieves from accidentally taking other vehicles or locking themselves to their own. It's a simple but effective security feature that can help you save time and effort when you have to swiftly get into your vehicle.
Transponders
Transponders are used on many modern cars to help protect against car theft. These tiny devices are attached to the key fob. They contain an electronic chip that communicates with the car when it is within the range. These chips employ a unique code to identify the key and tell it which vehicle it's paired with.
The chip emits an electrical signal that is received by two coils positioned around the barrels of ignition inside the vehicle. These coils are activated by the key and send a pulse electromagnetic energy to the chip. The chip responds by sending back a unique identification code to the car. The unique code is used to unlock the doors, and to start the engine.
A similar technology was used in military planes during the World War 2 era to aid air traffic controllers in identifying them on radar. The aviation industry is still using this kind of chip message.
These systems were believed to be clone proof until recently. This was due to the fact that there were only 74 Quadrillion (74,000,000,000,000,000) possible codes for each transponder. But the technology behind these chips has since been improved and they are no longer completely duplicate-proof. This has prompted many auto locksmiths to upgrade their skills by learning to read and write the modern chips.
Immobilisers
Renaults are a bit complicated in the area of key systems and immobilisers. There are renault key battery change that affect the way a replacement key is programmed to the car. The older system uses an "kill switch" to turn off a crucial element of the car's starting mechanism if the proper key is not present. These are extremely delicate and will need a trained technician to correctly determine and correct the issue if they fail.
The latest system is simpler to use. It employs rolling security codes and advanced cryptography to thwart copying of the code from the key or ECU. This is what will be used on the replacement keys that we supply.
Certain models feature rings that are specific to the vehicle and isn't recognized by transponder scanners that are standard. This is extremely effective in stopping hotwiring and is extremely difficult to bypass using a standard key or a transponder emulator. We have a specialist product dubbed the Renault Antenna Emulator (RAE) that can be used to disable this type of immobiliser in Renault Clio phase 2 models, as well as in some Renault commercial vehicles fitted with ID46 transponders. It works by mimicking the operation of a transponder that is valid in the ring antenna and can be used for failed or lost keys without dismantling the ECU. It is tested and approved by Thatcham to give assurance to motor insurance customers.