As car technology evolves, so does the machinery needed to operate the vehicle. This includes smarter keys, which are frequently able to store driver information or offer remote starts, but some drivers who are not familiar with these new tools are struggling to keep up with them.
AAA reports that they had to come to the aid of more than 4 million drivers who locked themselves out of cars in 2012. Many of these individuals don't know about features of the keys that related to emergency engine shut downs, remote starts and more, and as such they often forget how certain aspects of the keys work and lock themselves out of the vehicle or lose track of the unfamiliar keys.
"Traditional car keys will likely become obsolete and be replaced by technologies offering even greater security and convenience," said John Nielsen, director of automotive engineering and repair for AAA. "Motorists will need to adapt with the technology to avoid the hassle and the expense of smart key replacements."
What many of these drivers learned firsthand is that these smart keys are an expensive part of vehicle maintenance, MSN reports. They can cost hundreds of dollars to replace or fix and it can take several days to have another made, so car owners may be better served by learning the ins and outs of these keys and checking to see if an automobile offers replacement insurance.