15 Gifts For The Car Seat Key Lover In Your Life Car Keys For Aging Parents and Loved Ones

Caregivers of loved ones who are aging may face difficult choices. It could be time to remove the car keys of an aging parent.

A lot of cars come with a driver setting that is set to a particular key. This feature is especially useful when there are multiple people sharing the vehicle.

Transponder Keys

The majority of modern vehicles have transponder keys, which add the security old flat metal keys cannot. They are tiny microchips in the key that transmit a signal to the car's immobilizer system, allowing it to start only if a valid key is within range. This kind of technology has drastically reduced car theft rates around the world.


It's not foolproof. Professional thieves have come up with ways to spoof the signals while still hotwiring vehicles. They can also repurpose keys to make their own transponder. So, even if your car comes with a transponder key, it's worth getting a spare.

A reputable locksmith will make these keys for you at less than the cost of car dealerships. They'll begin by inspecting your key and determining the most efficient methods for copying and programming. The new key can be programmed to work with your vehicle.

A reputable locksmith should also be able to assist with non-transponder or "flat" keys. These keys connect to your car via mechanical means and not using electronic technology. These keys are simpler for children to use which makes them less secure. They can also be copied by anyone with the help of a key cutter.

Smart Keys

A majority of modern vehicles are equipped with smart keys, a kind of key fob that performs the basic functions of a remote but has added features. Smart keys can unlock and lock your vehicle from a distance, without pressing any buttons. They can also be used to start the engine. These features work regardless of whether the key is in your pocket or purse.

Smart keys are extremely secure. Hackers cannot easily take your car due to the signals they send are encrypted. A computer in your car checks the rolling codes that are projected by the smart keys prior to beginning the engine.

The technology is still in development, and you may need to work through a few bugs in the system. If your key and phone are too close to each other, the functioning signals of your phone could interfere with any signal sent by your smart key.

Certain smart keys have a small color touchscreen. For instance, BMW developed the Display Key with a touchscreen which allows the user to perform a variety functions from the key fob such as locking, unlocking, and starting. The KeyLab can also notify the owner if its battery is drained and suggest an additional one from your dealer.

Keyless Entry

If you don't want to go as deep as a transponder or a smart key, you can still lock and unlock your car by pressing a button. These systems utilize radio signals, called RF that connect to a receiver inside the vehicle. Based on the type of system, the signal could also turn on the engine in the car and then deactivate the alarm.

Keyless entry makes it impossible to hide spare keys that are a major target for thieves. It also keeps you from having to worry about losing or misplacing your car keys that could occur to anyone at any time. However, it is important to alter the code frequently to ensure that you are secure.

The way that keyless entry works is to press the button on your mobile or physical key fob to send a radio signal of 315 Megaherz. The signal gets encrypted and scrambled before being sent out, so that even if a hacker tries to intercept it then they won't have the ability to gain permanent access to your car.

Some keyless entry systems include active engine starting, which means that the car can run and start when the key isn't in range. This is a security feature that is designed to stop your vehicle from running out of gas as well as to keep the release of toxic fumes into the cabin.

Remote Start

When your car is in your driveway or on the streets remote start systems provide peace of mind and convenience. With a click of the button on your key fob, or a'start' command through an app it will send the signal to the RES control module, which will start heating up your engine.

The system also works for other features within your vehicle, like opening and closing windows, or altering the temperature of the seats. Certain systems are more flexible and feature auxiliary channels that can be used to control things like power-assisted steering, automatic climate controls, and rear defrost.

The good news is, that most Seat cars manufactured since 1995 will have an embedded transponder chip within the key. Most of the newer models can be used with remote start systems. However, some older Seat models require a key with a more basic transponder chip and will not work with any remote-start systems.

Many parents have experienced the moment when they are reaching back into the car seat of their child but struggle to push down on the release button in the red color. A company called NAMRA came up with a solution for that problem that makes it much easy to unbuckle even if you're having trouble pressing down on the buckle using your thumb.