Renault Clio Replacement Key Card
A locksmith can repair your Renault key card for just a fraction of what it would cost to do it. A qualified locksmith has the expertise, experience and the tools to create all sorts of keys and key cards.
Renault key cards are small electronic devices that can do a variety of things, including unlocking doors and starting the engine. They can store information and act as a ‘car passport’.
The development and origins of the hands-free card
The hands-free car card is a revolutionary invention that has revolutionized how people use their vehicles. A tiny device – not much larger than a credit or debit card – that has revolutionized the method we drive to unlock and enter the car, switch the lights, the music and even the temperature. This is the story of how a little object brought great changes and is constantly evolving to meet new needs.
Renault’s first hands-free card was launched in 2001. It was designed to be an alternative to the traditional replacement key for renault clio. It was said to offer greater comfort and safety in use, as well by reducing the time spent in the workshop by allowing technicians to monitor the status of their car remotely.
To do this, it emits a radio signal when the driver approaches the car, which is detected by receiver-transmitters located throughout the vehicle. If the card is present, the vehicle detects it and transmits an access code to it. This unlocks the doors and activates the immobiliser. If the card is not in range it will ping it regularly to check if it has the access key – it could take as little as 80 milliseconds or less than the blink of an eye.
But the system wasn’t without its flaws. Some customers found that washing their cards was an absolute trouble. If the card was left in your trouser pockets, it is easy to accidentally sit on it. This could cause it to be removed from the system.
In order to address these issues, Renault engineers and designers “reworked the design from top to the bottom” to ensure it was waterproof. They added an extra layer to protect against unintentional lockouts: the card had a microswitch that activated or deactivated the immobiliser when it approached or left a car.
The second generation of hands-free card was fitted to Laguna II and Clio IV. It helped improve the quality of Laguna II which was awarded 5 stars in Euro NCAP’s crash tests. It also made its way into the third-generation Clio model, which was an automobile that was larger and more spacious and was equipped with a range of features designed to appeal to young drivers.
The Espace V comes with a hands-free card.
In an effort to guarantee its customers the highest standard of quality, Renault’s Douai plant has been working to establish new methods. This has allowed craftsmen to revisit their skills. For instance, they now benefit from a process known as full kitting. This guarantees that each technician is equipped with an assortment of parts that are suited to the specific specifications of the vehicle with which they are working.
The simple plastic case of the hands-free card hides an advanced electronic core. It is programmed to ensure that it is constantly communicating with the vehicle that it is paired. It emits a confirmation signal each time the driver is near the car. If the card responds positively, it immediately unlocks the doors.
It also allows the seats to fold down in a single or complete unit – with one click. It is simple to use, like dominos. It works even with the headrests still in place. The seats then disappear into the floor, leaving behind the space for transferring luggage.
In addition to the innovative seating, the Espace V also features a array of storage solutions that are clever and efficient. A practical Renault Easy Life drawer transforms the glovebox opposite the front passenger seat into a massive storage solution with a capacity of 12 litres that is attractive and easy to access. The center console also features an ample compartment hidden away that houses the hands-free cards and mobile.
Despite the fact that smartphones seem to be poised to replace the hands-free cards, Renault has decided not to let it go to the back of the pack. The card accessory is far superior to its smartphone counterpart. It can be used even in bad weather. Another advantage is that it is not vulnerable to hacking. It does this because it uses an unique identification code which only the vehicle is aware of. The hands-free card is used with all Renault models, including the ZOE Clio Scenic Kadjar Megane.
The hands-free card is offered in the Laguna II
This small device that is no bigger than a credit card has changed the way we use our cars. The hands-free card has evolved into a key symbol of Renault and is among the most modern and innovative products of its time.
The minimalist plastic case of the hands-free device conceals an advanced electronic core. It is programmed so that it constantly ‘communicates’ with the car with which it is linked. When the car is approached, the card emits a radio signal containing an access code. If the car is able to recognize it, it opens the doors. The whole process is less than 80 milliseconds.
The card that is free of charge also stores details on the car’s serial and registration, the owner, its equipment and mileage. This helps reduce the amount of time it will take to workshop if something goes wrong. The mechanic is also able to identify the problem simply by looking up the information on the card.
However, as with any electronic component, the hands-free card is susceptible to issues and some of them could be very serious. If the vehicle is not driven for a long period of time, it could lose its memory, resulting in it no longer being able to open the door or start up the engine. The ignition key can also cease to function. The hand-free card can be reset to correct these problems however it won’t prevent future malfunctions.
A lack of buttons is another frequent issue with hand-free cards. Many drivers are prone to forget to lock or unlock doors when they put the card in their pocket, which can be irritating when they need to leave their vehicle without having to use their hands. It is possible to resolve this problem by programming a second button on the hands-free card, however it isn’t easy to find a card that is compatible at a reasonable cost.
Renault have changed the design of their hands-free cards to ensure they are more durable. Renault Megane, Renault Laguna and the new Renault Megane have cards that are more resistant to damage. However, there are people with Renault hands-free cards that do not function properly. Contact us if yours is not working anymore. We can offer and program a new one for you.
Clio’s hands-free card
In the years that have been since, Renault have worked hard to improve their hands-free card both in terms of its appearance and the technology inside. The cards are so easy to use that even younger drivers have no problem using them. The latest models are even better at detecting a driver’s presence. They have more efficient aerials which are able to detect the proximity of the card holder no matter where they are in a 360-degree area around the vehicle. Additionally, they come with an initiation sequence that activates when the car detects the card approaching the vehicle. The handles for the flush doors are usually hidden in the body of the car – then pop out and the charging port cover automatically unlocks.
When the card is close to the vehicle, it pings the vehicle with an access code. The car then examines the code and if it matches the car is able to unlock and the doors and boot close. The entire process takes 80 milliseconds which is more than a blink of an eye. The on-board computer will continue to contact the chip at regular intervals when the card is moved away from the vehicle. If the card does not respond the doors and boot are locked again.
The presence of the hands-free card can trigger a number of other functions, including locking doors and activating the horn lighting and lower windows. The card also keeps information about the serial number of the car, registration details, as well as the owner, equipment and mileage, which makes it a kind of “car passport”.
The Renault hands-free is a practical and safe method to control the systems in your car. However, it shouldn’t be placed in close proximity to animals or children since they could start the engine or activate devices like the electric windows, which could create a safety risk. The hands-free card should not be placed in hot, humid or cold weather because it could damage the circuitry.