Here’s How the Car Keyless Entry System Works

Keyless entry in cars is something we all find in the latest model vehicles. It’s a fantastic modern convenience that has been slowly evolving in the background for decades. The system has also greatly affected the price of getting a new key. It used to be all you needed was a locksmith, but now you need tech wizards in case you misplace your smart key. 

The reality is that despite how simple it makes getting into your vehicle, this modern convenience is more complex than you think.

History of Keyless Entry in Cars

If you asked anyone how old keyless entry is, they’d probably say something like 2010s. They’d be wrong. Systems like this have existed in one form or another since the 1980s. Ford was an early system pioneer, calling it “SecruiCode.” It was effectively a MasterLock keypad glued to the door of various Ford models like the Thunderbird.

Input a code, and the car grants you access. However, the key was still necessary to start the vehicle. It was a huge plus if you locked them in your car. No more clothes hangers and tennis balls. The French made the next leap with the technology in 1982, pushing it into its final form in the Renault Fuego.

How Does Keyless Entry Work?

This “Fuego” technology is complex despite basically being a small radio in your car keys. A transmitter sends a code to a receiver like a remote locking system does. These codes are all randomly generated, according to experts. If the receiver in the car gets the right code, which it is also randomly generating, the doors open.

But what happens if the system breaks? Say the sender (your keys) or the receiver (the computer in your car) is damaged. The computer may no longer send or receive the correct code, even if only a little damage. Should this happen, most manufacturers include a hard key in the fob.

The Future of Keyless Entry

It took automakers a while to get to that point, however. Some brands required the key to be extremely close to the vehicle; others needed the key to touch a point on the door to send the code properly. 

All the issues have been worked out, and you can even use your phone to accomplish the task. Mercedes has it on their new electric SUV, and Tesla will let your phone do all sorts of things with your car, like even summoning it to you.

Conclusion

We can continue to expect to see phone integration with cars develop. Most everyone has a phone on them at all times, and it likely won’t be long until phones replace your car keys entirely. Ford is trying this with the Mach E currently. It remains to be seen how much farther this integration goes.