The Story of the Renault Card Key
The hands-free card is one of the most significant inventions to ever change the way people use cars. Pascaline, the Head of Cross-Cutting Products at Renault Group Products walks us through the history of this simple device.
The history behind the card
A vital part of the lives of car owners the hands-free card from Renault has become a global phenomenon. It was first developed 20 years ago and is now among the most popular innovations within the company. Pascaline, the Head of Cross-Cutting Products in the Products division, takes you on journey of discovery in order to discover the story behind this handy accessory.
In 2001 the Laguna II, an executive saloon which embodies 'lifestyle-driven driving', went into production. It was an era of tremendous innovation and numerous new technology features which helped customers enjoy their vehicle to the fullest.
However, the owners of these cars had to utilize keys to open and close their doors. This was a real obstacle for many and Renault engineers determined to do something about the issue.
As a result, they decided to integrate the use of a contactless keycard into their vehicles. They also developed a system that would enable users to unlock and start their vehicles by merely waving hands. The result is the card key, which is now on a majority of Renault vehicles. The car will be unlocked automatically when the card is placed near the ignition barrel, or even the center console. This is a genuine Renault remote control keycard (without the blade). It comes individually packed and ready to be programmed with Abrites diagnostics for Renault/ Dacia software with the ProTAG programmer.
The design
A Renault key card or even a remote car key, can be a fantastic convenience to have in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, these products can fail due to wear and tear or dropping. It can be frustrating when this occurs. There are a variety of ways you can repair your Renault keycard. One option is to contact your dealer. It can take a long time and could be costly. A professional locksmith is a different option.
SR Key Solutions is fully equipped to manufacture and program Renault keys and cards and keys. We can offer you a replacement for your existing key at a much cheaper price than what a dealer would charge. Furthermore, we can complete it much more quickly than a dealership would.
This product is compatible with the Renault Laguna II, Espace 4 and Vel Satis keycards (keyless entry system). It will protect your keycard while giving it a nice design. It is available in two colours and can be printed with your VIN, logo, or other details. It can be placed in the key case or with an ordinary keychain. This is a genuine Renault item that will only fit the car you have ordered. Please provide your VIN to ensure that the correct key has been sent.
The technology
Renault key cards come with transponder chips as well as a low-frequency communication feature. This enables the card to communicate with your car. The chips are susceptible to cracking because of use and it could be expensive to repair them or replaced by a dealer. We can repair or replace your Renault key cards for only a fraction of the cost of a dealership.
The first hands-free cards were introduced in 2001, on the Laguna II saloon. This car was conceived as the lifestyle car of the 21st century. Renault was unable to test every possible use despite an extensive design brief built on over 6,000 phone calls with customers.
Luckily, the product lead on Laguna II, Bernard Dumondel was in a hotel at the time and was using his room key to unlock his car. The key he was using had the small magnetic strip Bernard Dumondel thought it might be possible to make a car key that worked similarly.
In renault key fob that followed, the card was praised as a revolutionary invention, and it is now available on two of three Renault vehicles. While smartphones may be close to replacing it, Renault has chosen to make use of these new features without letting the hands-free card slip by the wayside.
The keyless entry system
The hands-free card of Renault was a groundbreaking piece of technology when it first came out 20 years ago. Its exterior remains the same, but the technology inside has had some upgrades to make it more user-friendly and harder to hack.
In the first place, it cannot 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 antennae "around the car" are configured to detect whether the key is inside or outside. The key will continue to turn the ignition from a distance but not unlock the doors. This is for your safety.
The second is that the system's wireless remote control transmissions make use of a rolling code. This lowers the likelihood of the security being breached by someone intercepting and retransmitting an authorization message to gain access, but isn't a guarantee of avoiding the risk completely. [1]
If your Megane's key fob suddenly stops working - especially after you have dropped it on the floor - it could be a sign that the receiver module has developed an issue. If this is the situation then 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 in the locksmith or motor trade can sign up for a trade account, and enjoy special pricing.