Sometimes it can be tough to get your car started in the morning. You’ve tried pumping the gas, turning the key, and waiting for a spark, but nothing seems to work. Maybe you’ve got a dead battery or something is blocking the keyhole. In any case, if your car won’t start, there’s only one thing to do: rekey the ignition.
What is a rekey?
Rekeying is a process of changing the key to a new code or range of codes in a car ignition. This is necessary if your car’s original key has expired or been lost and you need to get a replacement.
How to rekey a car ignition
If you have a car with a keyless ignition, or if you have lost your car’s original key, you will need to rekey the car’s ignition. This is a simple process that can be done in just a few minutes. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to rekey a car ignition:
1. Start your car and turn it off.
2. Remove the battery cover located under the hood and locate the battery.
3. Remove the old key from the ignition and store it safely away.
4. Insert the new key into the ignition and turn it to the “ON” position. Hold down the switch while turning it to the “ON” position for about two seconds.
5. Release the switch and turn off your car.
6. Install the battery cover and replace the old battery.
7. Insert your old key into the ignition and turn it to “OFF” position before storing it safely away.
What are the benefits of rekeying your car’s ignition?
There are many benefits of rekeying your car’s ignition, including:
– Increased safety: A properly rekeyed ignition will help to increase safety in your car by ensuring that the engine will not start if the key is lost or stolen.
– Increased fuel efficiency: A properly rekeyed ignition will help you to get better fuel economy out of your car by ensuring that the engine will run more efficiently.
– Reduced emissions: A properly rekeyed ignition can reduce emissions in your car, as it will improve the reliability of the engine.
What are the risks of not rekeying your car’s ignition?
If your car doesn’t have a key, you can’t start it. Even if you can start it, the chances of it being driven are much lower if the ignition is not rekeyed.
There are three types of risks that come with not rekeying your car’s ignition: safety, theft, and loss of the car.
The first risk is safety. If your car doesn’t have a key, someone else (possibly criminals) can’t steal it or use it without your permission. This is especially important if you keep valuable items in the car, such as expensive electronics or jewelry.
The second risk is theft. If your car doesn’t have a key and someone steals it, they can drive it without knowing how to start it. This could be dangerous if they’re driving in an unfamiliar area or on a busy street.
The third risk is loss of the car. If your car doesn’t have a key and you lose it, you won’t be able to drive it home or get into it to take the kids to school. This can be frustrating if you need to get somewhere quickly and your only other option is to call a taxi or ride sharing service.
Rekeying
How to rekey a car ignition step-by-step
If you’re like most people, you probably think of car keys as a one-time purchase that should last your lifetime. But if you’ve ever had to replace your car’s ignition key — or if yours just stopped working altogether — you know that’s not always the case.
Rekeying a car ignition is a relatively simple process that can be done in just a few hours. Here are the steps:
1) Park your car in a safe location with the engine off.
2) Remove the battery cover.
3) Disconnect the negative battery cable.
4) Remove the spark plug wires.
5) Position the rekeying tool over the car’s IGN (Ignition) connector and depress the button to make an unreadable inscription.
6) Connect one end of a new ignition key cable to the rekey tool and connect the other end to your vehicle’s battery.
7) Replace the spark plug wires and battery cover and start your engine. The new key will work in your car!