The Story of the Renault Card Key

The inventions that have altered the way we drive but none has made such an impact on the everyday lives of drivers like the hands-free card. Pascaline, Head of Cross-Cutting Products at Renault Group Products goes over the history of this little device.

The origins of a card

A key part in the life of a car owner The hands-free card of Renault has become a global hit. The first time it was designed, in the year 2000, it is one of the top innovations from the company. Pascaline the Head of Cross-Cutting Products at the Products division, takes us on a journey to discover the story behind this helpful accessory.

In 2001, the Laguna II, an executive saloon which embodies ‘lifestyle-driven driving”, was launched into production. It was a time of tremendous innovation and various new equipment options that allowed customers to enjoy their vehicles to the fullest.

However, the people who occupied these cars were still required to utilize keys to open and close their doors. This was a major stumbling block for many people and Renault engineers determined to address it.

They decided to include the contactless card into their vehicles and to develop the system that would allow drivers to unlock and begin their cars simply by hand gestures. The result is the key card, that is now found on the majority of Renault vehicles. It’s either located in the ignition barrel or on the centre console the car will be unlocked when the card is near and lock automatically when it is removed. This is a genuine Renault remote control key card (without the blade). It comes in a clamshell and is ready to be programmed with Abrites Diagnostics for Renault/ Dacia Software with the ProTAG Programmer.

The design

A Renault key card, or even remote car keys can be a fantastic convenience to have in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, these products are susceptible to failure due to wear and wear or simply being dropped. It can be very frustrating when this occurs. Fortunately, there are many ways to replace your Renault key card. One option is to call your dealer. It can take a long time and may be costly. A professional locksmith is an alternative option.

SR Key Solutions has the necessary equipment needed to program and produce Renault keys and cards and keys. We can offer an upgrade to your existing key at a significantly cheaper price than what dealers would charge. We can also do it faster than an agent.

This product is compatible with Renault Laguna II, Espace 4 and Vel Satis keycards (keyless entry system). It shields your keycard while giving it a nice look. It comes in two different colors and can be customized with your VIN or a logo. It can be used with a standard keychain or put inside a key case. This is a genuine Renault item and can only be used on the vehicle for the reason for which it was purchased. Please provide your VIN to ensure that the correct key is provided.

The technology

Renault key cards have transponder chips inside and have a low frequency communication feature that allows the card to communicate with your vehicle. These chips can break due to regular usage, and it can be extremely costly to replace or repair them at an auto dealer. We can repair or replacement your Renault key cards for only a fraction of the cost of a dealership.

The hands-free card was initially launched in 2001 on the Laguna II saloon, which was designed to represent the “lifestyle” vehicle of the 21st century. However, despite a detailed design brief that was based on more than 6,000 customer interviews looking at their lifestyles, habits, and expectations, Renault ran out of time to design prototypes and test all possible use-cases.

Bernard Dumondel was the product leader of Laguna II at the time. He used his hotel room keys to unlock his car. He thought that keys for cars could be created with the same magnetic strip used for the key.

In the years to follow the card was seen as a revolutionary invention and is now on two of three Renault vehicles. While smartphones seem to be in the process of replacing it, Renault has chosen to take advantage of the new technology without letting the hands-free card slip off the radar.

The keyless entry system

The hands-free cards of Renault were an innovative piece of technology when it first came out 20 years ago. renault replacement key is the same however the technology has been improved to make it more user-friendly and more secure to hack.

It can’t be used from outside to unlock doors or start the car unless the driver is able to activate it. That’s because radio signal antennas “around” the car are set up to determine whether the key is in or inside the car. The key can still function from a distance, allowing you to start the ignition, but not to unlock the doors. This is for your safety.

The wireless remote control transmissions of the system utilize a rolling-code. This decreases the chance of someone intercepting a control message and transmitting it to gain access, but does not eliminate it. [1]

If your Megane’s key fob suddenly stops working – especially after you have dropped it on the ground – it could be a sign that the receiver module has developed an issue. If this is the situation, you will need to replace your key fob with an original Renault replacement. Click the ‘Key Programming Info’ tab above to learn more. Customers working in the locksmith or motor trade can sign up for a trade account and benefit from preferential pricing.