What is a car smart key? Compare the difference with keyless! How to use and precautions | Goonet pit full of information on vehicle inspection and repair
Special aftermarket parts [2021.06.16 UP]
What is a car smart key? Compare the difference with keyless! Usage and Precautions
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Smart keys are installed in many cars, but many people may not understand the detailed mechanism and features. In particular, it may be difficult to understand the difference from keyless, which can be controlled remotely. To summarize the difference between smart key and keyless, it is the difference between "whether or not you can operate the car without holding the key". In this article, we will introduce how smart keys work, how to use them, and points to note, including the differences from keyless. In the second half, we also explain the precautions when using the smart key, so please refer to it as well as the meaning of theft prevention.
Contents of this articleWhat is a smart key?
A smart key is a car key that can be operated simply by approaching or touching the car without the need for a keyhole. The function of the smart key is called the "Smart Entry System," and it can be used to lock/unlock the door, start/stop the engine, and automatically open/close the door. The detailed operation differs depending on the car, but if you hold the smart key by the car, you can operate it without taking it out of your bag or pocket. Regarding locking and unlocking, there are various types, such as "a type that presses a button near the handle of the door" and "a type that reacts with a touch sensor or an in-vehicle LF antenna built into the handle of the door".
The smart entry system reacts when weak radio waves emitted by the car and smart key are received by each other. The reason why the car can be unlocked and locked without taking out the key is that radio waves are exchanged with the car in the following flow. 1. The smart key is within a certain distance from the car 2. The car transmits radio waves 3. The smart key receives radio waves from the car 4. The smart key transmits radio waves to the car 5. The car smart key 6. The car key can be unlocked and locked Not only locking and unlocking the key, but also starting and stopping the engine and opening and closing the door can be handled with the same mechanism. The car side is equipped with devices such as "in-vehicle LF antenna" and "in-vehicle RF receiver", and the frequencies emitted by each are different.・In-vehicle LF antenna: Abbreviation for Low Frequency, using a frequency band around 125kHz ・In-vehicle RF receiver: Abbreviation for Radio Frequency, using a frequency band around 312.125MHz These radio waves are weak, so in general, It does not react unless the car and smart key are within a certain range (within a radius of about 0.5 to 1m). Even if someone has a smart key, the car will not react if they are away from the car, so the risk of being operated by a stranger is low. By the way, the smart key has a built-in mechanical key. A mechanical key refers to a conventional metal key, and is also called an emergency key. Even in an emergency when the smart key does not respond well, you can operate the engine and doors by inserting the built-in mechanical key.
More than 10 years have passed since the birth of the smart key (smart entry system), which has mainly been installed in luxury cars. The 1993 Chevrolet Corvette was the first car equipped with a smart key. At that time, it was not called a smart key, but called a passive keyless entry system. In 1998, it was installed in the Mercedes-Benz S class under the name of Keyless Go, and from 2000 onwards, standard equipment will gradually begin in light vehicles. Along with the development of technology, the structure and format of the smart key has also evolved, and some cars have not seen the keyhole of the doorknob from the outside to prevent theft and design.
Just as the names of smart keys differed in the past, even now the names of smart keys differ depending on the manufacturer. There are familiar words in TV commercials, so please use them as a reference.
[List of names of domestic car manufacturers]| Manufacturer | System name |
|---|---|
| Toyota | Smart Entry & Start System |
| Nissan | Intelligent Key System |
| Honda | Honda smart key system |
| Suzuki | Keyless start system |
| Subaru | Keyless Access System |
| Mitsubishi | Keyless Operation System |
| Daihatsu | Key-free system |
| Mazda | Advanced keyless entry & start System |
| Manufacturer | System Name |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen | Smart Entry & Start System |
| Advanced Key System | |
| BMW (MINI) | Comfort Access | Mercedes-Benz | Keyless Go & Hands-free Access |
What is the difference between smart key and keyless?
There are two differences between the smart key and the keyless: when locking/unlocking/opening/closing the door and when starting/stopping the engine. Keyless is called a "keyless entry system" and is the key that was the mainstream in the generation before the smart key.
・Keyless key: You can unlock/lock by pressing the button on the key・Smart key: You can unlock/lock by approaching or touching the door. Automatically locks after a certain amount of time when you leave the car
・Keyless key: You need to insert the key into the keyhole (key cylinder) and turn it ・Smart key: No need to insert it into the keyhole. If you have the key in the car, you can start and stop by operating the brake and pressing the engine switch.Also, the smart key is sometimes confused with the "remote control key" and "immobilizer key", but it is used as a remote control key. If you can handle it, there is also a smart key with a built-in anti-theft immobilizer. Whether or not it is a smart key is determined by whether it has a built-in system (smart entry system) that allows you to operate the car without taking out the key.
The smart key allows you to operate your car remotely and without touching the key itself.
・Eliminates the need to put in and take out the key, preventing loss・Even if your hands are full, the door can be unlocked/locked easily・The engine can be operated easily with a switch/dial type・Engine operation can be simplified through the keyhole If you put your keys in a pocket or bag that can prevent picking damage, you can reduce the number of times you take them out and suppress the behavior that causes loss. Even if the location of the key is uncertain, the car will respond if it is within a certain range. Furthermore, the smart key does not require the trouble of "searching for the key", but also the action of "inserting it into the keyhole". In addition to simplifying the movement up to the start of the engine, the appearance of a vehicle without a keyhole in the door handle has made it possible to realize the benefits of preventing picking damage.
・Built-in battery has a short life of 1 to 2 years (can be unlocked with a mechanical key)・The key is easily locked in・There is no 100% operation guarantee・Possibility of being damaged by a relay attack The smart key with is powered by a built-in battery, so it is necessary to use it while paying attention to the battery life. Battery life is surprisingly short, and many car manufacturers recommend replacing batteries every one to two years. In order to ensure safety, the manufacturer's recommendation period is often set to a number of years with a margin, but it can be said that regular replacement work is necessary to prevent panic due to the battery running out on the go. In addition, as the amount of time spent not being conscious of the keys has increased, there have been many troubles where the keys are locked inside the car. JAF Road Service reports about 154,742 cases of key lockout problems annually, so it is necessary to be very careful when handling keys. Furthermore, although it is strong against picking damage that physically unlocks, it can be stolen by a method called relay attack (interception of radio waves), so it is not a perfect anti-theft measure. Don't forget that the smart key is also an electronic device. There is also a risk that the smart key will fail due to impact or other electromagnetic waves.
How to use the smart key
We will explain how to use the smart key according to two patterns: when the smart key can be used normally, and when the battery runs out.
1. Approach the car with the smart key 2. Unlock the door, check the operation sound and blinking lights and get on 3. Make sure the smart key is in the car and the gear is in parking 4. Step on the brake and operate the engine switch (or dial) 5. When you arrive, put the gear in parking and operate the engine switch (or dial) to stop 6. After stopping the engine, press the smart key Get out of the car with it 7. Away from the car and check the automatic locking, operation sound and blinking of the lamp.
1. From inside the smart key, remove the fixing bracket and take out the mechanical key 2. Insert it into the keyhole around the handle of the door on the driver's side to unlock 3. Make sure the gear is in parking 4. Operate the engine switch (or dial) 5. Apply the manufacturer emblem to the switch (or dial) while stepping on the brake 6. After confirming that the switch or indicator is blinking, operate the engine switch (or dial) again* When the battery runs out, the way to deal with it differs depending on the manufacturer. *The above operation method applies to "Honda vehicles".
Avoid risks in advance! Precautions when using the smart key
It is safe to keep in mind four precautions when using the smart key. Please be sure to check it to prevent loss or trouble during use.
If the person holding the key leaves the car after starting the engine, the running engine will stop and a warning alarm will sound at the same time. Once the engine has stopped, it cannot be restarted until the smart key is returned to the vehicle and recognized. However, if you leave the key in the car after starting the engine, there is a risk that a stranger will get in and run away, so be careful that only the driver owns the smart key. There is also the risk that if the key holder leaves the car and the car is automatically locked, the car will vibrate and the anti-theft alarm will sound.
If you lose your smart key, you can request a key to be made at the store where you purchased your car. In many cases, we can respond within the same day, but the average cost is about 20,000 yen. Also, if you are worried about losing the smart key and want to duplicate it, you will also need to spend 10,000 yen or more. Both are not cheap, so be careful not to lose your smart key. If you want to duplicate a spare smart key just in case, you can find a vendor that supports it from Goonet Pit. Please use it as you can quickly find a nearby company that can handle it. https://www.goo-net.com/pit/
As I touched on earlier, with the spread of smart keys, there has been a series of theft damage called "relay attacks" that unlock the door by reading the radio waves of the car and the smart key. In order to prevent theft damage due to relay attacks, it is necessary to devise ways to prevent third parties from picking up the transmission and reception of the smart key and the car. As an anti-theft item, radio wave blocking pouches are available for storing smart keys, so it would be safe to have them ready just in case.
The smart entry system that uses weak radio waves has the risk of adversely affecting pacemakers. According to a survey by the National Agency for Medical Devices and Medical Devices, if the distance between the antennas of the smart key system is 22 cm or more, the risk of interference between the two is low. Reference: https://www.pmda.go.jp/safety/info-services/devices/0002.html There are some other points to be noted between the pacemaker and the smart entry system. Regardless of whether or not you ride in a smart entry system car, check the details in advance if you are eligible.
Summary
The smart key is an electronic key equipped with a smart entry system that allows you to "lock/unlock/open/close the door" and "start/stop the engine" without touching the key with the car. I'm talking about It is often confused with keyless or remote control keys, but "smart key only" can be operated only with radio waves without having a key. Such a convenient smart key, but there are many troubles that occur frequently when switching to a car equipped with a smart key. If you own or are planning to purchase a car with a smart key, be careful when handling the key.
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Goonet Pit Editorial DepartmentA group of professionals related to automobile maintenance that produces maintenance articles such as vehicle inspections and inspections, oil changes, repairs, painting, sheet metal, and bringing in and installing parts. We hope that we can help people who are having trouble with how to maintain their beloved cars.
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