| It seems that almost as soon as a new idea gets | | | | access the code stored on your key, or to make a |
| made reality in the world of automobiles, there is | | | | new key that will transport this information. All of this |
| another idea to push that achievement even further | | | | has lead to a large increase, according to the |
| than before. We moved from carburetors to fuel | | | | American Automobile Association, in lock outs and |
| injection, added GPS systems, and finally made sure | | | | other problems related to misplaced keys. |
| that almost every model comes with automatic | | | | Another problem with computers and electronics that |
| transmissions. But, has all that actually been an | | | | are installed in our vehicles is the simple fact that |
| improvement over the old way of driving? Or has it | | | | sometimes they have glitches. Think of the computer |
| actually caused more problems than it has fixed? To | | | | you are reading this article on, or about any of the |
| put it in direct terms, is the increased cost and hassle | | | | past computers you have used. Can you think of an |
| of new technological gizmos in automobiles worth it? | | | | instance where these electronic devices had a serious |
| For instance, in the old days if your car keys were | | | | problem? You're probably thinking of more than one |
| stolen or if you lost them, all you would need to do | | | | instance. Now think about your car. How many times |
| to get a replacement set made from your spare | | | | has the electronically controlled "service engine soon" |
| copy would be to head to your local locksmith, or | | | | light switched on for no reason? And how much did it |
| even to a hardware store that could make copies of | | | | cost you every visit to the dealer to find out that, in |
| keys. But today's cars are equipped with electronic | | | | fact, the light was on for no reason? |
| locks that require electronic keys. | | | | Now, it would be great if you could simply plug in |
| To get these replaced, you have to visit the | | | | your car to a computer and that computer could tell |
| dealership, or one of the select few licensed digital | | | | you precisely what is wrong with it. But that isn't |
| blacksmiths who can make a replacement key for | | | | usually ever the case of how these things work. And, |
| you. Why is this process so difficult? Because, rather | | | | what's more, the added cost makes the scant |
| than a physical key that turns a tumbler within a lock, | | | | moments when such a technological achievement |
| new electronic lock systems are code based, with a | | | | occur not worth it. What we need to be asking |
| secret signal held in the key being transmitted to the | | | | ourselves is, do we need all this technological junk in |
| engine when the key is inserted into the ignition. Only | | | | our cars? |
| licensed professionals, such as dealers, are allowed to | | | | |