The Story of the Renault Card Key
The inventions that have revolutionized the way we use cars however, none has made as significant changes to the daily lives of drivers like the hands-free card. Pascaline, Head of Cross-Cutting Products at Renault Group Products goes over the history of this tiny device.
The origins of a card
A vital part of the daily lives of car owners the hands-free card from Renault has become a worldwide hit. It was initially designed 20 years ago and is now one of the most innovative innovations within the company. Pascaline, the Head of Cross-Cutting Products in the Products division takes you on a journey of discovery to understand the origins of this useful tool.
In 2001, the Laguna II, an executive saloon that embodies 'lifestyle driving', went into production. It was a time of great innovation with an array of new features attributes that helped customers enjoy their car to the maximum.
However, the occupants of these cars had to utilize keys to open and close their doors. This was a huge stumbling block for many people and Renault engineers determined to tackle the issue.
They decided to incorporate the contactless card into their vehicles, and devise an application that would allow drivers to open and start their vehicles by simply waving their hands. The result is the key card, which is now present on a third of Renault vehicles. Whether it's inside the ignition barrel or on the centre console the car will unlock when the card approaches, and lock automatically when it is removed. This is a genuine Renault remote control card (without blade). It comes individually packed and is prepared to be programmed using Abrites diagnostics for Renault/ Dacia software with the ProTAG programmer.
The design
The possession of a Renault key card, or even a car remote key could be a wonderful comfort in our day-to-day lives. Unfortunately, these devices are prone to malfunction due to wear and tear or dropping. It can be frustrating when this occurs. Thankfully, there are several options to replace your Renault key card. Contacting your dealer is an option. This may take a while and could be costly. A professional locksmith is a different option.
SR Key Solutions is fully equipped to make and programme Renault keys and cards. We can replace your keys at a lower cost than what a dealer will charge. We can also do it much faster than a dealer.
This product is compatible with Renault Laguna II, Espace 4 and Vel Satis keycards (keyless entry system). It is designed to protect your keycard while providing a stylish design. It is available in two colors and can be personalized by adding your VIN or a logo. It can be put in the form of a key case or with a standard keychain. This is an original Renault part that will only be compatible with the vehicle you have ordered. Please provide your VIN at the time of ordering to ensure the right key is supplied.
The technology
Renault key cards are equipped with transponder chips as well as a low-frequency communication feature. This allows the card to communicate with your car. These chips can crack from normal use, and it is very expensive to replace or repair them at the dealer. We can repair or replace your Renault key card at only a fraction of the dealer price.
The hands-free card first introduced in 2001 on the Laguna II saloon, which was designed to be the "lifestyle" car of the 21st century. However, despite an in-depth design brief based upon more than 6,000 customer interviews looking at their lifestyles, habits and expectations, Renault ran out of time to create prototypes and test all possible applications.
Fortunately, the product manager on Laguna II, Bernard Dumondel was staying in an hotel at the time. He was using his room key to open his car. As the key featured an extremely small magnetic strip, he thought it would be possible to create an automobile key that functions similarly.
In the years that followed the card was hailed as an innovative technology and is now offered on two out of three Renault vehicles. Although smartphones are nearing the point of replacing it, Renault has chosen to make use of these new features without letting the hands-free card slip off the radar.
The keyless entry system
The hands-free card of Renault was an innovation in technology when it was first introduced 20 years ago. Its design is similar, but the technology inside has had several improvements to make it more user-friendly and less difficult to hack.
It can't be used to unlock 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 configured to detect the presence of the key outside or inside it. The key will still work from a distance, allowing you to start the ignition of your car, but it won't be able to unlock the doors. This is for your safety.
Second, renault clio key card battery transmissions of the system employ a rolling-code. This minimizes the possibility of someone intercepting the control message and then transmitting it again to gain access, but does not completely eliminate the possibility. [1]
If the key fob on your Megane suddenly stops working, especially after you've dropped it to the floor it could indicate that the receiver module is damaged. If this is the case, you'll need to replace it with an authentic Renault replacement. Click the Key Programming Information tab to learn more. Customers in the motor or locksmith trade can sign up for a special trade account and benefit from preferential pricing.