Renault Keys - How They Work

Renaults use a rather complicated system as far as keys and immobilisers go. This can result in replacement keys being a lengthy drawn out process. It could take a long time to code your car unless you have access to it and can bring it to us.

Keys

The Renault Group is primarily known for its vans, buses and tractors, however they also manufacture cars. Established in 1899 it is a huge and well-established company that offers an extensive range of cars. You will need a new key if you have lost or damaged your keys to your car. Rather than waiting for your local main dealer to order a new one for you, only to wait even longer to have it delivered, TheKeyLab why not let us take care of it? We can replace your remote or smart key fast by calling KeyNOW.

If you require a Renault Clio V, thekeylab Captur 2 or New Zoe spare key we can provide you with a mechanical code number to purchase a new key through the dealer. We can also reset your Renault Kangoo Traffic or Master key.

Renault has a long tradition of innovation. It was the first company to implement remote central locking in production vehicles. Paul Lipschultz invented this technology for Niemens, an automotive supplier of security components. This invention was a giant leap for car safety.

Remotes

Despite the fact that smartphones seem to be on the verge of replacing their hands-free cards, the hand-free cards from Renault continue to be widely used in their vehicles. In fact, two of three Renault vehicles are equipped with hands-free card. The use of them has increased in recent years. In this video, Pascaline of Renault's products division explains the main components of these cards and explains how they work.

Renaults have an immobiliser feature which is quite complicated. It is essential to know the basics prior to trying to unlock your vehicle without the use of a key. Some cars come with an emergency lock that is located on the passenger door handle that can be used in the event of a key failure or a battery drain. This is a great option for those who do not want to hire a locksmith.

You'll need a tool such as an ultra-thin jim or pump-up to remove the key fob. If you don't have these tools it could be necessary to utilize a screwdriver or hammer to remove the cylinder.

You should be able to go into the passenger's door and see a tiny lock inside the driver's compartment next to the handle. This is a precautionary measure to prevent people from stealing other vehicles or locking themselves in their own. This is a basic but efficient security feature that will make life easier when you need to quickly get into your vehicle.

Transponders

Transponders are found in many modern cars to protect against car theft. These tiny devices are attached to the key fob. They contain a chip that communicates with the car when it is within of. These chips employ a unique code to identify the key and then tell it which vehicle it's paired with.

The chip sends an electronic signal to a pair of coils which are placed around the ignition barrel of the vehicle. The coils are activated once the key is within range and send a signal of electromagnetic energy to the transponder chip. The chip responds by sending a unique code to the car. The unique code is then used to unlock the doors and begin the engine.

In World War 2, a similar technology was employed to help air traffic control identify military aircrafts on radar. The aviation industry still uses this type of chip code message.

These systems were thought 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. The technology behind these chips was upgraded and they are no longer duplicate-proof. This has led to many auto locksmiths upgrade their skills by learning to read, write and program these newer kinds.

Immobilisers

The Renault isn't the most straightforward when it comes to the immobilisers and key systems. There are two main mechanisms that affect how the new key is programmed into the car. The older system utilizes a "kill switch" that connects to one of the important car's starting components in order to turn it off if the right key is not present. These are very delicate and require an experienced technician to detect and fix the issue should they fail.

The newer system is much easier to use. It employs rolling security codes and advanced cryptography in order to stop copying of the code from the key or ECU. This is what will be used in the replacement keys we provide.

Certain models may even have an earpiece that can't be recognized by standard transponder scanners, and is exclusive to the vehicle. This is extremely effective in blocking hotwiring, and is extremely difficult to bypass by using a standard key or an emulator for transponders. We have a device called the Renault Antenna Emulator that we can use in order to bypass this type of immobiliser on Renault Clio phase 2 models as well as on some Renault commercial vehicle fitted with ID46 Transponders. It works by mimicking operation of a transponder that is valid in the ring antenna and can be used to replace failed keys that are lost or stolen without dismantling the ECU. It is Thatcham tested and TheKeyLab approved to offer additional security for motor insurance customers.