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The Story of the Renault Card Key
Among all the inventions that have revolutionized the way we drive, none has made such a huge difference to the lives of drivers as the hands-free card. Pascaline, the Head of Cross-Cutting Products at Renault Group Products talks us through the history of this simple device.
The origins of the card
The hands free card of Renault is an international hit. It’s become an integral part of the daily life of car owners. Since its first introduction in the year 2000, it is one of the company’s most popular innovations. Pascaline who is the Head of Cross-Cutting Products in the Products division takes you on journey of discovery in order to learn the history of this handy accessory.
In 2001 the Laguna II, an executive saloon that embodies ‘lifestyle driving”, entered production. It was a time of incredible innovation, with an array of new features features which helped customers enjoy their vehicles to the fullest.
However, the occupants of these cars were still required to use their keys to open and close their doors. renault car key believed that this was a huge problem for many people.
In the end, they decided to integrate the use of a contactless keycard into their vehicles. They also developed an application that allows users to unlock and start their vehicles by merely waving the hand. The card’s key is found in two out of three Renault vehicles. The car will unlock automatically when the card is placed near the ignition barrel, or even the center console. This authentic Renault remote control keycard (without the blade). It comes individually packed and ready to programme using Abrites diagnostics for Renault/ Dacia software with the ProTAG programmer.
The design
Having a Renault key card or a car remote key can be a great comfort in our day-to-day lives. However, these devices can be prone to failure because of wear and tear or simply being dropped. It can be quite frustrating when this occurs. There are many ways you can replace your Renault keycard. Contacting your dealership is one option. This could take some time and may be costly. A professional locksmith is another option.
SR Key Solutions has the necessary equipment to program and make Renault keys and cards. We can offer an alternative to your current key at a cheaper price than what a dealer would charge. Additionally, we can do it much more quickly than a dealership.
This product is compatible with Renault Laguna II, Espace 4 and Vel Satis keycards (keyless entry system). It protects your card and gives it a stylish appearance. It is available in two colors and can be personalised with your VIN, logo, or other details. It can be attached to a standard keychain or inside a key case. This is a genuine Renault part and is only compatible with the vehicle for the reason for which it was purchased. Please supply your VIN at the time of ordering to ensure that the correct key is provided.
The technology
Renault key cards are equipped with transponder chips as well as a low-frequency communication feature. This enables the card to talk to your car. These chips can crack from normal use, and it is very expensive to repair or replace them at the dealer. We can repair or replacement your Renault key cards for a fraction the price of a dealership.
The hands-free cards were first launched in 2001 on the Laguna II saloon, which was designed to represent the “lifestyle” car of 21st century. Renault was unable to test every possible use despite a detailed design brief built on over 6,000 phone calls with customers.
Bernard Dumondel was the product lead on Laguna II at the time. He used his hotel room keys to unlock the car. He believed that an automobile key could be made using the same magnetic strip used for the key.
In the years that followed the card was hailed as a groundbreaking innovation and is now available on two out of every three Renault vehicles. While smartphones may be close to replacing it, Renault has chosen to utilize these new technologies without leaving the hands-free cards by the wayside.
The keyless entry system
The hands-free card from Renault was a ground-breaking piece of technology when it was introduced 20 years ago. The exterior of the card is identical, but the technology has been upgraded to make it more user-friendly and more difficult to hack.
It can’t be used to open the doors or start the engine from outside the vehicle unless it is activated by the driver. This is because radio signal antennae “around” the car are set up to determine the presence of the key outside or inside the car. The key will work from a distance to start the ignition of the car, but not to unlock the doors. This is for your safety.
The second is that the wireless remote control transmissions used by the system use a rolling-code. This lowers the likelihood of security being compromised by someone who intercepts and retransmits a control message to gain access but doesn’t eliminate the risk altogether. [1]
If your Megane’s key fob suddenly stops working, especially after you’ve dropped it on the floor, it could be an indication that the receiver module has developed a fault. If this is the situation, you will need to replace the key fob with an original Renault replacement. Click the Key Programming Information tab above to find out more. Customers who are in the locksmith or motor trade can sign up for a trade account and enjoy a discount pricing.