The Story of the Renault Card Key
The inventions that have transformed the way we drive but none has made such a huge difference to the everyday 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 a card
A key element in the lives of car owners Hands-free cards from Renault have become a worldwide hit. It was first designed over around 20 years ago it’s one of the most innovative innovations of the company. Pascaline, the Head of Cross-Cutting Products in the Products division takes you on a journey of discovery in order to discover the story behind this useful tool.
In 2001, the Laguna II, an executive saloon that was designed to be a ‘lifestyle vehicle’, went into production. It was a time that saw great innovation, including a host of new equipment capabilities that enabled customers to enjoy the full advantages of their vehicle.
The occupants had to use the keys to open and close their doors. Renault engineers were determined that this was a major problem for many people.
They decided to incorporate the use of a contactless card into their vehicles, and then develop the system that would allow drivers to enter and unlock their cars simply by using their hands. The result is the key card, that is now found on two in three Renault vehicles. The car will unlock automatically when the card is near the ignition barrel, or the central console. This is a genuine Renault remote control key card (without the blade). It comes individually packed and is prepared to be programmed using Abrites diagnostics for Renault/ Dacia software with the ProTAG programmer.
The design
A Renault key card or even a car remote key could be a great convenience in our daily lives. However, these devices can fail due to wear and tear or dropping. When this occurs, it is quite stressful. Thankfully, there are several options to replace your Renault key card. One option is to contact your dealer. But, this can take a long time, and it can also be costly. A professional locksmith is a different option.
SR Key Solutions has the necessary equipment to program and manufacture Renault keys and cards and keys. We can provide an alternative to your current key at a significantly lower cost than the dealer would charge. We can also provide it quicker 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 and gives it a nice appearance. It is available in two colors and can be printed with your VIN, logo, etc. renault keys can be used with a regular keychain or put inside a key case. This is a genuine Renault part that can only fit the vehicle ordered. Please include your VIN at the time of ordering to ensure that the correct key is sent.
The technology
Renault key cards are equipped with transponder chips inside. They also have a low-frequency communication feature that enables the card to communicate with your car. These chips are prone to cracking due to use and it can be expensive to get them repaired or replaced by a dealer. We can repair or replace your Renault key card at just a fraction of the retail price.
The hands-free card first launched in 2001 on the Laguna II saloon, which was designed to be the “lifestyle” vehicle of the 21st century. However, despite a comprehensive design brief based upon more than thousands of customer interviews, which examined their lifestyles, habits, and expectations, Renault ran out of time to design prototypes and test every possible uses.
Fortunately, the product manager on Laguna II, Bernard Dumondel was in an hotel at the time and was using his room key to unlock his car. He was of the opinion that keys for cars could be created using the same magnetic strip as the key.
In the years following, the card was hailed as a groundbreaking innovation and is now available in two out of three Renault vehicles. Renault has decided to utilize the latest features of smartphones to improve the hands-free cards, even the fact that it appears they are soon to replace it.
The keyless entry system
The hands free card of Renault was a ground-breaking piece of technology when it was first introduced 20 years ago. The exterior is the same however the technology has been improved to make it easier to use and more difficult to hack.
First of all, it cannot 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 continue to turn the ignition from a distance, but will not open the doors. This is for your security.
Second, the wireless remote control transmissions of the system use the rolling-code. This decreases the risk of security being compromised by someone who intercepts and retransmits the control message to gain access, but does not eliminate the possibility completely. [1]
If the key fob on your Megane suddenly stops working, especially after you’ve dropped it on the floor it could indicate that the receiver module is defective. If this is the situation you’ll need to replace your key fob using an original Renault replacement. To find out more you can click on the ‘Key Programming Information tab’ above. Customers who are in the motor or locksmith trade can register for a trade account to benefit from a discounted price.
