The Story of the Renault Card Key
In all the inventions which have revolutionized the way we use cars, none has made such significant changes to the daily lives of drivers as the hands-free card. Pascaline, Head of Cross-Cutting Products at Renault Group Products, takes us through the history of this small device.
The origins of the card
A crucial part of the car-owner’s daily life The hands-free card of Renault has become a worldwide hit. Since its first introduction around 20 years ago and is now one of the company’s most popular innovations. Pascaline 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, a saloon that aimed at capturing the essence of ‘lifestyle’ driving, came into production. It was a time of tremendous innovation and various new equipment attributes that helped customers take advantage of their vehicle to the fullest.
However, the people who occupied these cars still had to make use of keys to open and close their doors. This was a huge issue for a lot of people and Renault engineers determined to fix it.
They decided to include a contactless card in their vehicles and to develop a system which would allow drivers to unlock and begin their vehicles by simply using their hands. The key card is now found in two of three Renault vehicles. The car will be unlocked automatically when the card is in close proximity to the ignition barrel, or even the center console. This authentic Renault remote control keycard (without the blade). It is supplied individually clam packed and ready to programme using Abrites diagnostics for Renault/ Dacia software with the ProTAG programmer.
The design
A Renault key card, or even remote car keys is a great feature to have in our daily lives. Unfortunately, these items are prone to failure due to wear and tear or simply being dropped. It can be a frustrating experience when this occurs. There are several ways that you can replace your Renault keycard. One option is to call the dealership. renault card key replacement may take a while and can be expensive. Another option is to visit a professional locksmith.
SR Key Solutions is fully equipped to make and programme Renault keys and cards. We can provide you with an alternative to your current key at a much lower cost than the dealer would charge. We can also do it faster than a dealer.
This product is compatible for the Renault Laguna II (keyless entry), Espace 4 (keyless entry) and Vel Satis (keyless entrance system). It protects your card while giving it a nice look. It is available in two colours and can be personalised with your VIN, logo, or other details. It can be used with a regular keychain or inside the key case. This is an original Renault part that can only fit the car you have ordered. Please provide your VIN to ensure that the correct key has been supplied.
The technology
Renault key cards have transponder chips inside and have a low frequency communication feature which allows the card to communicate with your vehicle. The chips are susceptible to cracking due to normal use, and it is extremely costly to replace or repair them at the dealer. We can repair or replace your Renault key card for only a fraction of the dealer cost.
The hands-free cards were first launched in 2001 on the Laguna II saloon, which was designed to represent the “lifestyle” vehicle of the 21st century. Renault was unable to test every possible use despite having a detailed design guideline that was based on over 6,000 interviews with customers.
Fortunately, the product manager on Laguna II, Bernard Dumondel was staying in an hotel at the time. He was using his room key to unlock his car. Since the key was the small magnetic strip he thought that it would be possible to make a car key that functioned similarly.
In the following years the card was hailed as an innovative invention and is now found on two out of three Renault vehicles. Although smartphones are on the verge of replacing it, Renault has chosen to make use of these new features without leaving the hands-free cards off the radar.
The keyless entry system
Renault’s hands free card was a ground-breaking piece of technology when it was launched 20 years ago. Its exterior is still identical, but the technology inside has had several improvements to make it more user-friendly and less difficult to hack.
Firstly, 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 antennae “around the car” are programmed to detect whether the key is inside or outside. The key will work from a distance to turn on the ignition, but not to unlock the doors, and that’s to ensure your safety.
The second thing is that the system’s wireless remote control transmissions employ a rolling-code. This reduces the risk of someone stealing the control message and then transmitting it again to gain access, but does not eliminate it. [1]
If the key fob on your Megane suddenly ceases to function, particularly after you’ve dropped it to the floor, it could be an indication that the receiver module is defective. If this is the situation you’ll need to replace your key fob using an original Renault replacement. Click the Key Programming Information tab above to find out more. Customers who are involved in the locksmith or motor trade can register for a trade account and enjoy a special price.
