Car key in ignitionCar ignition and steering wheel lock
A car key or an automobile key is a key used to open and/or start an automobile. Modern key designs are usually symmetrical, and some use grooves on both sides, rather than a cut edge, to actuate the lock. It has multiple uses for the automobile with which it was sold. A car key can open the doors, as well as start the ignition, open the glove compartment and also open the trunk (boot) of the car. Some cars come with an additional key known as a valet key that starts the ignition and opens the driver's side door, but prevents the valet from gaining access to valuables that are located in the trunk or the glove box. Some valet keys, particularly those to high-performance vehicles, go so far as to restrict the engine's power output to prevent joyriding.[1] Recently, features such as coded immobilizers have been implemented in newer vehicles. More sophisticated systems make ignition dependent on electronic devices, rather than the mechanical keyswitch. A number of these systems, such as KeeLoq and Megamos Crypto have been demonstrated to be weak and vulnerable to cryptanalytic attacks.[2]
Ignition switches or locks are combined with security locking of the steering column (in many modern vehicles) or the gear lever (such as in Saab Automobile vehicles). In the latter, the switch is between the seats, preventing damage to the driver's knee in the event of a collision.
Keyless entry systems, which use a door-mounted keypad, key fob, a wireless-enabled handheld computing device (e.g., smartphone or tablet), or a remote control in place of a toothed key, have become a standard feature on most new cars. Some of them are handsfree in that a vehicle door is automatically unlocked when the user's handheld device is detected within proximity to the vehicle.
Some high-tech automotive keys are billed as theft deterrents. Mercedes-Benz uses a key that, rather than have a cut metal piece to start the car, uses an encoded infrared beam that communicates with the car's computer. If the codes match, the car can be started. These keys can be expensive to replace if lost and can cost up to US $400.
A switchblade key is basically the same as any other car key, except in appearance. The switchblade key is designed to fold away inside the fob when it is not being used. Switchblade keys have become very popular recently[when?] because of their smart compact look. These type of keys are also commonly referred as Flip Keys. Because switchblade keys are only developed for new car models, they are usually equipped with a programmed transponder chip.
^Gary Labb. "Prevention". Orange County Auto Theft Task Force. Archived from the original on 15 August 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
^"Dismantling Megamos Crypto: Wirelessly Lockpicking a Vehicle Immobilizer" (PDF). USENIX. 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 August 2015.
A carkey or an automobile key is a key used to open and/or start an automobile. Modern key designs are usually symmetrical, and some use grooves on both...
or set of locks that are keyed alike, a lock/key system where each similarly keyed lock requires the same, unique key. The key serves as a security token...
to deter car thieves". NPR. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Graham-Rowe, Duncan (6 December 2010). "Criminals find the key to car immobilizers"...
The CarKeys (French: Les Clefs de bagnole) is a 2003 French mockumentary film written, produced, directed by, and starring Laurent Baffie. It's hard to...
A smart key is an electronic access and authorization system that is available either as standard equipment or an option in several car designs. It was...
RKS performs the functions of a standard carkey without physical contact. When within a few yards of the car, pressing a button on the remote can lock...
needed] Many modern automobiles have keys with transponders hidden inside the plastic head of the key. The user of the car may not even be aware that the transponder...
spray. Modern cars often include a keychain that serves as a remote to lock/unlock the car or even start the engine. An electronic key finder is also...
cards, government ID cards, business credentials, resort passes, carkeys, home keys, event tickets, public transportation passes, store cards, and –...
charging stations. Carkeys allow an iPhone to act as a virtual carkey using NFC technology with compatible cars. The first compatible car showcased by Apple...
what mobile wallets they are available. The digital key specification for cars is maintained by the Car Connectivity Consortium. As of 2023, most implementations...
A car, or an automobile, is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of cars state that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have...
The Key West Street Car Company was incorporated by Florida state law chapter 3658, approved February 12, 1885, to establish a street railroad for public...
A connected car is a car that can communicate bidirectionally with other systems outside of the car. This connectivity can be used to provide services...
police say that 50% of the annual 20,000 car thefts are now from high-tech OBD (Onboard Diagnostic Port) key-cloning kits (available online) and bypass...
for the suspect's car, which had been used at ATMs to withdraw money from Koenig's account. Keyes'scar matched this description. Keyes was stopped after...
he was driving a Formula Two car. (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) (key) (Races in bold indicate pole...
car in order to exchange keys. As of January 2020 the world's top city for car sharing is Moscow with more than 30,000 vehicles. The majority of car sharing...
Group A, FIA Super Touring and FIA Super 2000. A lower-key Group N class for production cars ran from 2000 until 2003. The championship was initially...
separately articulated. A key design feature is the car's roof-supporting pillars, designated from front to rear of the car as A-pillar, B-pillar, C-pillar...
enthusiasts, and named him after the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray sports car. (key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position...
locks & car models can be unlocked via NFC with select Galaxy devices running Android 12 & later for carkeys, or Android 11 or later for home keys, most...
spans and the three nearest northeast approach spans of the Francis Scott Key Bridge across the Patapsco River in the Baltimore metropolitan area of Maryland...
of Dredgers Key, Fleming Key, Sunset Key, and the northern part of Stock Island, it constitutes the City of Key West. The island of Key West is about...
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