How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost
It's never a good thing to lose your car keys. AutoZone provides the technology and replacement parts you need to replace your car keys without paying a dealership's high costs.
Simply bring a current working key to a participating AutoZone location and an associate will match its contours using the key cutting machine on site. It's about 20 percent less than buying from dealers.
Keys with Transponder Chips
Many modern cars have key fobs that offer a level of security and comfort for the owner of the vehicle. They are not free. In certain instances, the cost of replacing a key fob that is damaged or lost is high. There are methods to lower the cost of these devices. It's cheaper to have a spare car key now instead of waiting until you lose the key and you are faced with paying for the visit of a locksmith or towing fees.
Since the mid-1990s the transponder chip has been an integral part of the majority of cars. The name derives from "transmitter and responder". The technology was created to stop the increasing number of car thefts. Transponders in cars transmit an encrypted signal. When the key is inserted in the ignition, the antenna ring around the ignition cylinder receives this signal and if it matches with the password, the engine starts. This is crucial because the majority of thieves will simply hot-wire the vehicle before driving away.
Transponder chips function on a similar basis as microchips in cell phones and computers. key cut place is that they don't need constant power to work. They emit a low-frequency electromagnetic signal that can be identified by special detectors on the ignition cylinder and the key head.
We recommend visiting your local locksmith if in need of the spare key for a vehicle with a transponder. Many locksmiths have a device that can program new keys to match the make and model of the vehicle you own. This is an excellent alternative to going to the dealership.
It's also important to note that stores like AutoZone offer a key-programming service. However, they often cost significantly more than a locksmith. This is due to the fact that they are able to take advantage of the "scaling" effect which occurs when the quantity of units sold increases. They can then pass on the savings to consumers.
Keys with Electronics
Modern keys are equipped with transponders or chips that are connected to the vehicle when the key is placed in the ignition. They are more expensive to replace than traditional car keys due to the fact that they need programming that is only performed by a dealership, auto locksmith or your vehicle's manufacturer. This procedure can cost up to $500 for a new key, and reprogramming of the immobilizer and perhaps the cost of labor.
The best way to save on car key cost is to avoid the necessity of replacing your keys in the first place. That means having a spare key in case you lose the original. You can purchase another key for between $25-$50 at a box store or hardware retailer, based on the key type.
Many people are unaware that they can buy replacement keys online at an affordable price from the manufacturer. The advantage of buying the factory key is that it's likely to come with the correct transponder chip. This is crucial since you won't be able to use an aftermarket key unless it has been professionally programmed.
The majority of hardware stores and box shops do not have the equipment to program modern car keys, so they can only provide basic duplication services. You can go to a dealer, an independent auto repair shop or a locksmith shop to have them replaced.
If you're planning to purchase an inexpensive key online, make sure it's not programmed to someone else's vehicle. This can be done by checking the blade of the key for chip or the cutout to see if it shows evidence of a previous key.
A key duplication device can be purchased, but this is not a viable option for everyone. The machinery usually costs more than the blank keys themselves, and you'll have cut a lot of keys to make a profit. If you're not comfortable using a vice, hand-files are an alternative that is less expensive. But, it's not the safest method because it may cause damage to the electronic components of the key or break the key off in the lock.
Key Fobs with Keys
Many modern cars come with key fobs, which are remote controls to lock and unlock your vehicle and even start the engine. These are small remote transmitters which communicate with the computer onboard of your vehicle via radio waves. They are a great benefit for drivers, but they can be expensive to duplicate or replace in the event of loss.
Key fobs are more expensive than standard keys due to their sophisticated electronics. They also need to be programmed to work with your car, which can also add up in price.
A new fob and key could cost as much as $300 in the event that you lose your sole functional fob. Consumer Reports claims that you can cut the cost of the new fob by as much as 50% if you buy it on the internet. Find the right key fob for your car's model on Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts shop. Some of these fobs may require laser cutting by locksmiths or programmed by your local dealer, but many can be programmed by the customer easily (though some may require two working keys to do this).
Key fobs for standard keys are less expensive than more advanced models to replace because they don't contain an embedded chip that requires to be reprogrammed following the fact. Although they can be costly to duplicate if you have to design templates for a lost or damaged key The cost is far less than purchasing a new set of keys from your car dealer.
Another way to cut your key cutting costs is to simply purchase a new shell for your existing key fob. Batteries Plus offers a variety of shells that replace the plastic exterior of your keychain and buttons, but leave the electronic components intact. They're a cost-effective method to refresh your keychain and save you the headache of trying to schedule an appointment at the dealership.
Keys for Keyless Entry
The car key fob has many benefits. They allow you to lock and unlock your car without having to find your keys, especially if you're carrying groceries or other heavy weights in your hands. If they're equipped with this feature they will help you open your trunk and hatch.
These keys are not ideal for long-term use because they can drain your battery. Furthermore, they can be difficult to program, depending on the make and model. Fortunately, a lot of key fobs are reprogrammable with replacements purchased from third-party suppliers like Pop-A-Lock. These are usually available for much cheaper than dealer-supplied options, by searching on the internet or visit your local hardware store.
If you own an ordinary key, duplicate costs are usually affordable and vary from $10 to $15. You can also buy a replacement key at your local hardware store or box retailer store. However, replacing keys that are more recent and require specialized encoding could be costly. These keys are typically laser cut, sometimes referred to as sidewinder keys or high-security keys. They have a larger shank and less carved-out grooves on the blade of the key, and must be programmed using a special machine found in the locksmith shop or dealership.
A key with chip could be costly to replace and often requires a trip to the dealership to obtain a replacement code. They are also known as transponder or smart keys and they are equipped with electronics which must be validated by your car before it can open doors or start the engine. Dealers will charge between $150-$300 for a key that has the key fob as well as a transponder chip.
Keys with keyless entry can also be expensive to replace if you lose them or the battery of your key fob is dead. These keys are found in the majority of modern automobiles. They work by sending an electronic message from the key fob into an internal receiver in your car. The car then locks or unlocks according to the signal and opens the hatch and trunk if the key is within close proximity to the receiver.