MERCEDES KEYS AND SECURITY
Many car manufacturers have changed their vehicle key styles over the years, but Mercedes is one of the very few that have kept changes to their keys to the absolute minimum – externally, at least. Where once their remote keys were just plain black plastic, they now have a stylish chrome finish and that's pretty much the extent of any visible changes.
However, nearly thirty years ago those keys began to change dramatically on the inside. That was when they started to incorporate an immobiliser function that prevented the key being able to start any other vehicle except the one it had been specifically programmed for.
And these days the Mercedes Electronic Ignition Switch carries out a sequence of complex electronic tests to make absolutely certain that it’s the right key for the right car before permitting the driver to start the engine.
But it’s not just the keys that have been contributing to the security of any Mercedes vehicle: its built-in Electronic Steering Lock system is yet another part of the system to prevent car theft. This was introduced at the start of the noughties and works by locking the steering column in position as soon as the key is removed from the ignition.
So all in all, Mercedes has the security of your vehicle very much in mind, and are constantly striving to improve that security. And we at Car Keys Solutions are always keeping up to date with those improvements, meaning we never have any unpleasant surprises when it comes to ensuring your Mercedes is safe and secure. And neither will you.
HOW DO MERCEDES KEYS WORK?
Many car manufacturers depend on a simple transponder system. That’s where a microchip inside the key fob transmits a code that has to correspond to the code of the car being unlocked via a very weak, but still detectable radio signal. Mercedes keys also transmit a code to the vehicle. But instead of being sent by radio, it’s sent via infrared. And that means it’s much more secure than a signal sent by radio which can be - and often is - picked up by unscrupulous car thieves.
Car Keys Solutions provides emergency roadside car key replacement, together with solutions to other problems Mercedes vehicles may have, such as keys locked inside, keys that don’t seem to work any more, issues with steering column locks and electronic ignition switch failure. And if it’s not an emergency you’re always welcome to book an appointment for a time and place that suits you.
OUR MERCEDES KEY SERVICES
MERCEDES KEY REPLACEMENT
Lost your Mercedes keys? Or somehow broken one? No need to warry about the expense of towing your car to a dealership and waiting for a replacement key to be created and programmed… and waiting … and waiting. We can do exactly that for you – wherever you are within London and the Home Counties – and do it right there and then.
MERCEDES SPARE KEYS
If you’ve bought a second-hand Mercedes with only one key, then we hope you’ve included the cost of a duplicate in your negotiations. And that cost would be considerably less than the price of a whole new set of keys if you lose the original key.
Whether or not you’ve brought the purchase price down because of the lack of a spare key, we can duplicate the key that came with your Mercedes quickly and conveniently, either in our workshop or by the roadside.
And we very much recommend you have a duplicate key made: you may never have to use it, but at least you'll enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing you've got one – just in case
MERCEDES KEY PROGRAMMING
From 1995 onwards, it’s been a legal requirement for car manufacturers to install vehicle security systems – most commonly in the form of a transponder chip installed in the key or key fob. It doesn’t happen often, but those transponder chips can – and do – go out of synch with the vehicle they’re paired up with.
And should that happen to you, your Mercedes won’t be going anywhere.
We’ve got the diagnostic equipment to get a non-functioning transponder chip working properly again either by the roadside if it’s an emergency, or by appointment at your home or office at a time to suit you.
If that chip is beyond repair, though, there’s no need to worry – we can create and program a new Mercedes key right there and then.
Mercedes Unlocking
Locked out of your Mercedes? Don’t laugh – it can happen, and it happens a lot. Give us a call on 0203 393 5669 and our specialist Mercedes locksmith will be with you within an hour. He'll then open up your vehicle without causing any damage or creating any other complications, and have you back on the road again in just a few short minutes.
Mercedes Key Repair
Whether it’s through daily wear and tear, or being bashed against the housekeys on your keychain or knocked about by anything else in your pocket, your Mercedes key can get worn, cracked or chipped both on the outside and – more problematically – on the inside, specifically on its electronic circuit board. Whether the damage is done externally or internally, you can rest assured our same-day service means we can repair that damage for you right away.
Mercedes Ignition Switch Repair
No electronic component goes on forever, and sadly Mercedes electronic ignition switches are no exception. If yours develops a fault, there’s no reason to have your car towed to a dealership because our technicians come to you and use the very latest equipment to test and repair your ignition switch right then and there – and for much less than what a Mercedes dealer would charge you.
MERCEDES ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT
Should the Electronic Steering Column develop a fault, you always have the option of returning your vehicle to a Mercedes dealership and waiting for days while they replace the unit and then waiting for even longer for the programming to be completed.
A much better option would be to call us on 0203 393 5669 and wait for less than an hour before our specially-trained technician replaces your old Electronic Steering Column and reprograms it right away – usually taking less than two hours in total.
Not only that, but you won’t have to arrange to get your Mercedes to a dealership … wait for days … and face a huge bill at the end of it all.
MERCEDES IGNITION SWITCH REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT
While it’s an excellent part of your Mercedes’ security system, the Electronic Ignition Switch can develop a fault meaning your vehicle is left completely immobilised.
Our technicians have the equipment and knowledge to test and repair your Mercedes ignition switch in much less time and at a much lower cost than if you went through the inconvenience of having your vehicle towed to your local Mercedes dealership – wherever that may be. And if it works out that repairing the switch is not a viable option, we can provide you with a replacement switch right there and then – no problem.
WHICH MERCEDES MODELS KEY DO WE REPAIR?
NEED A NEW MERCEDES KEY?
Well, you could get a replacement key from a dealership, with everything that doing so entails – especially if it happens to be the only Mercedes key you have that now needs repair or replacement. (And that’s why we always recommend having a duplicate key created and programmed, just in case.)
But then there’s all sorts of problems when it comes to dealing with a dealership: the expense of having your car towed there … their insistence that your locks will have to be changed and changes made to the vehicle’s security system … the wait for the new key to be delivered … the huge bill you’re presented with at the end of it all.
A far better alternative would start with a simple phone call to our customer service department to arrange a visit from one of our specialist Mercedes technicians who’ll create and program a brand new key for you on the spot, no matter where you’re located. If you’re in London or the Home Counties, you won’t need to wait for more than an hour if it’s an emergency … and you won’t have to break the bank for that new key.
AUTOMOBILE LOCKSMITH … OR DEALERSHIP?
An automobile locksmith has the reverse-engineering experience and skill to create and program a new key for your Mercedes, with dedicated specialist programming equipment – almost instantly.
A Mercedes dealer, though, leaves that kind of work up to the factory, waits days for delivery … and when handing over your new key, also hands over a huge bill as well.
So automobile locksmith … or dealership?
It’s your choice!
CAN MERCEDES KEYS BE REPROGRAMMED?
The simple answer is no, so there’s absolutely no point giving in to the temptation to buy a second-hand Mercedes key. It’s designed to be programmed just the once, using the chassis number of the vehicle it’s originally paired with, together with other unique security codes. And there’s no way of changing that programming.
MERCEDES CAR KEY SOLUTIONS
Whether you need your Mercedes key duplicated, repaired or replaced our team is ready and able to provide the key service you’re looking for at a time that’s right for you, and at a price that’s so much lower than what you’d be charged by a dealership.
But we’re not just limited to helping you with any key-related issues: if your electronic ignition switch or your steering column fails we can repair or replace them either on the spot if it’s an emergency, or by appointment at a time and place to suit you … and, of course, if your problem is simply finding yourself locked out your Mercedes when the key is still inside, just give us a call and we’ll get the keys out and you back in - in practically no time at all!
Get in touch with a member of our team today by calling 020 3603 5556 to find out more about the Mercedes car key services that we offer.
Emergency? 0203 393 5669
OUR LOCATIONS
It couldn’t be easier to arrange an appointment for a time and location that suits you, between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. every day, anywhere in London and the Home Counties. You’re also more than welcome to visit one of our London workshops to have your key duplicated.