It can sometimes be difficult to get a car key replacement because many cars treat the key fob as a miniature computer capable of a wide range of functionalities, everything from keyless entry to remote starting and even a variable number of systems accessible via a touchscreen.
This is why you need to work with an expert not only in the field of key cutting but also in providing replacement parts for luxury cars, as they will be able to source the right parts and get you set up and ready to drive.
What Was The First Car To Feature An Electronic Key Fob?
Which car would you expect to provide an innovation seen in practically every modern car? A Mercedes S-Class, the original Aston Martin Lagonda? An obscure but highly forward-thinking sports car?
The answer, rather surprisingly, is a 1982 coupe derived from the Renault 18 Saloon.
The Renault Fuego took advantage of a technology developed the year before by Paul Lipschutz, known as a “PLIP system”.
It used a key fob that streamed infrared data to the car, locking and unlocking the doors as desired.
It was a perfectly practical option for a sporty hatchback that tended to be remarkably unheralded when it came to its aerodynamic and electronic innovations.
As well as having a key fob, it was also the first car to have an electronic multi-function trip computer and controls on the steering wheel for the radio and cassette player.
Unfortunately, it was a popular car at the wrong time for Renault; as the rest of their lineup primarily consisted of relatively pedestrian family cars, the slightly sporty Fuego was the odd one out.
Whilst it sold fairly well, it was discontinued in 1985, replaced by a more conventional saloon car in the Renault 21.
However, its legacy is assured in the palm of your hand; whenever you point a key fob across the car park and hear a familiar clunk and the locks disengage, the Renault Fuego is the car to thank.
How Are Car Keys Replaced?
Car keys cannot simply be recut at a locksmith, and how easy they are to replace will depend not only on the expertise of a dedicated vehicle locksmith, but also whether you have an existing key to hand.
If you are looking to replace a lost key, this often requires the immobiliser to be reset and other ECU changes to ensure the car works with the new key – but this is something we can help with so give us a call if you’re stuck.