How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost
The loss of your car keys is not an ideal option. AutoZone provides the technology and replacement parts you need to replace your car keys without paying dealership prices.
Bring a key that is working to an AutoZone store and an associate will match the contours of the site with a key-cutting machine. On average, this is 20% less than buying through the dealer.
Keys that have Transponder chips
A lot of modern cars come with key fobs that offer a level of security and ease for the owner of the vehicle. These devices aren't free. In some instances it could be expensive to replace a lost or damaged key fob. The good news is that there are options to lower the costs associated with these devices. It is cheaper to order a spare key now than to wait until you lose your car keys and then pay for the locksmith or towing fees.
Since the mid-1990s the transponder chip had been an integral part of most automobiles. Its name is derived from "transmitter and responder". The technology was created to stop the increasing number of car thefts. Transponders in cars transmit the secret code through a signal. When the key is inserted in the ignition, an antenna ring around the ignition cylinder receives the signal and, if it matches the password, the engine will start. This is important as most thieves simply wire the vehicle before driving off.
Transponder chips operate on the same basis as microchips in computers and cell phones. The different is that they do not need constant power to work. Instead, they emit an electromagnetic signal of low frequency which can be detected by special receivers placed in the ignition cylinder or on the key head itself.
We suggest visiting your local locksmith if you require a spare key for a car equipped with a transponder. The majority of locksmiths have a tool to make new keys to match your car model and make. This is a fantastic alternative to visiting the dealership.
It's also important to remember that some shops, such as AutoZone provide key programming services. However, they typically cost significantly more than locksmiths. This is because they can benefit from the "scaling" effect which occurs when the quantity of units sold increases. They can then pass on the savings to the consumers.
Keys with Electronics
Modern keys have chips or transponders that are paired to the car when the key is turned in the ignition. These keys are more costly to replace than traditional keys as they require programming, which can only be completed by a dealership or auto locksmith. This process can cost as high as $500 for an entirely new key, reprogramming of the immobilizer, and the possibility of labor costs.
The best way to cut down on the expense of replacing your car keys is to not have them in the first place. mobile car key cutting should have a spare key in case you lose the original. You can buy a duplicate key for $25 to $50 at a hardware or box store shop, based on the type of key.
Many people are unaware that they can buy replacement keys online at a discounted price from the manufacturer. A factory key is likely to have the correct transponder. This is essential because you won't be in a position to use an aftermarket key without having it professionally programmed.
The majority of hardware stores and box stores don't have the capability to program modern car keys, so they can only provide basic key duplication services. You can also go to an independent locksmith, a repair shop or the dealer to have them replaced.
If you plan to buy a cheap key online, make sure it's not programmed for another vehicle. You can do this by looking at the blade of the key for chips or an open cutout that has evidence of an earlier key.
The purchase of a key duplication device is an alternative however it's not affordable for most people. The machinery usually costs more than the blank keys themselves, and you'll have to cut a lot of keys to break even. If you don't feel at ease using a vice, hand-files are an option that is more affordable. However, it's not the safest method because it may damage the key's electronics or even break the key in the lock.
Keys with Key Fobs
Modern cars are equipped with remote controls that lock and unlock the car, and even start the motor. These are essentially miniature remote transmitters that connect to the computer in your vehicle via radio waves to send commands. These are great features for drivers but can be costly to duplicate or replace if they are lost.
Key fobs are more expensive than traditional keys due to the fact that they are equipped with sophisticated electronics. Key fobs must also be programmed prior to their use with your vehicle, which could increase the cost too.
A new key and fob can cost up to $300 when you lose your only functional fob. Consumer Reports claims that you can reduce the cost of a new fob by up to 50% if you buy it online. Look for the right key fob that matches your car's model on Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts store. Some of these keys may need to be laser-cut by a locksmith or programmed by your local dealer, but a lot can be customer-programmed with relative ease (though some may require two working keys to accomplish this).
Key fobs that are standard can be replaced for less than the more sophisticated models due to the fact that they don't contain an embedded chip that needs to be reprogrammed. They can be costly to duplicate if you've a lost or damaged key and require a template reproduce them, but they are much cheaper than the expense of replacing a complete key set from your dealer for your car.
You can also reduce your key cutting expenses by purchasing a new shell to replace your old key fob. Batteries Plus has a range of shells that will replace your key fob's outer plastic and buttons, yet leave the electronics intact. These shells are an affordable solution to updating your keychain without the need to make an appointment with a dealer.
Keys with Keyless Entry
Car key fobs come with numerous advantages. They let you lock and unlock your car without having to find your keys, especially when you're carrying heavy groceries or other weights in your hands. If they're equipped with this feature built in they will help you open your hatch and trunk.
The disadvantage of these types of keys is that they frequently drain the battery and make it difficult to use them for a long period of time. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, they may also be difficult to program. Fortunately, most key fobs can be replaced using replacements purchased from third-party providers like Pop-A-Lock. If you search on the internet or at your local hardware store, you will often find them at less than the dealer-supplied alternatives.
If you already have a standard key then duplication costs can be as low as $10 to $15. You can also purchase keys to replace them at your local hardware store or box retailer store. However replacing keys that are more recent and require specialized encryption can be expensive. They are typically laser-cut and may be referred to as sidewinder keys, or high security keys. They have a thicker shank and have less grooves carved out on the key's blade, and they have to be programmed using a specific machine found in a locksmith shop or dealer.
It can be expensive to replace a key using a microchip, and it's usually necessary to visit a dealer in order to obtain the replacement code. They are also known as transponder keys or smart keys, and they come with electronic components that need to be verified by your vehicle before it can open doors or start the engine. Dealers can charge between $150 and $300 for a key that has the key fob and the transponder chip.
If you lose the keys to your keyless entry system or if the battery in your key fob dies, it can be costly to replace them. Most modern cars have these keys, which function by sending a signal from the key fob to a receiver in your car. The car locks or unlocks the car on the signal. It also opens the hatch and trunk when the key is close to the receiver.