How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost
The loss of your car keys isn't an ideal option. Fortunately, AutoZone has the technology and the parts to replace your key without having to pay the dealership.
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. It's about 20% less than going through a dealer.
Keys with Transponder Chips
Many modern cars have key fobs which provide a level of security and ease to the car owner. These devices aren't free. In certain instances it can be expensive to replace a damaged or lost key fob. There are ways to reduce the cost of these devices. It's cheaper to purchase a spare key now than wait until you lose your car key and need to pay a locksmith or towing charges.
The transponder chip (which is named after the words "transmitter + responder") has been a feature of most cars since the mid-1990s. This technology was developed in response to rising levels of car theft. The basic idea behind the chip in a car transponder transmits an electronic signal that has an encrypted password. When the key is inserted into ignition, the antenna ring surrounding the ignition cylinder reads this signal and if it matches with the password, the engine is started. This is significant because the majority of thieves simply hot wire the vehicle to start it, and then drive off.
Transponder chips operate in a similar way to the microchips in cell phones and computers. The difference is that they don't need constant power to work. They transmit a low frequency electromagnetic signal which can be identified by special detectors on the ignition cylinder and the key head.
If you require a spare car key made for a car equipped with transponder chips We highly recommend you visit your local locksmith. Many locksmiths have a device that can program new keys to match the make and model of the vehicle you own. This is a great 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 more than locksmiths. They do this because they can take advantage of an "scaling effect" that occurs when the amount of units sold increases. They can then pass on the savings to consumers.
Keys with Electronics
Modern keys come with transponders or chips which are connected to the vehicle when the key is put in the ignition. They are more expensive to replace than traditional keys because they require programming, which can only be completed by an auto locksmith or a dealership. This procedure can cost up to $500 for a new key, as well as reprogramming the immobilizer and possibly the cost of labor.
The most effective method to save money on key cutting costs is by avoiding the need to replace your keys in the first place. cutting car keys near me is essential to have an extra car key in the event that the original key is lost. You can purchase an additional key for $25 to $50 at a hardware or box store store, depending on the key type.
Many people are unaware that they can purchase replacement keys online at reduced prices from the manufacturer. The advantage of purchasing a factory key is that it will likely be equipped with the proper transponder chip. This is essential because you won't be in a position to use an aftermarket key unless it has been professionally programmed.
The majority of hardware and box stores don't have the technology to program modern car keys, so they offer only basic key duplication services. You can go to a dealer or a reputable auto repair shop, or a locksmith to get them replaced.
If you're planning to purchase a cheap key online, make sure that it's not programmed to someone else's vehicle. This can be accomplished by looking at the blade of the key to determine if there's chips or a cutout that shows evidence of an old key.
Purchasing a key duplication machine is an alternative however, it's not cost-effective for the majority of people. key cutting services costs more than the blank keys and you'll need to cut many keys to break even. If you're not comfortable with this, a vice and hand file are a much cheaper alternative. This isn't the most secure alternative as it can harm the electronic components of the key or even break the key inside the lock.
Key Fobs with Keys
Many modern vehicles come with key fobs that are remote controls that lock and unlock your car and even start the engine. These are tiny remote transmitters that communicate with the onboard computer of your vehicle via radio waves. They are a convenience for drivers, but they can be expensive to replace or duplicate if you lose one.
Unlike traditional keys, which require a reputable locksmith, dealer in automotive, or a different specialist service provider to design keys, key fobs have sophisticated electronics and are therefore more expensive to make than their standard counterparts. Fobs also require programming to work with your car and this can increase the cost.
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 an entirely new fob by as much as 50% if purchasing it online. Amazon, Walmart, or an auto-parts shop may have keys that are compatible with your car model. Some of these fobs might need to be laser-cut by locksmiths or programmed by your dealer in your area, but most can be programmed by the customer with relative ease (though some will require two working keys to accomplish this).
Key fobs from the standard model can be replaced for a lot less than more sophisticated models since they do not contain an embedded chip that requires reprogramming. However, they can be costly to duplicate if you have to create templates for a lost or damaged key, the cost is much less than buying a new set of keys from your car dealer.
Another option to reduce your costs for cutting keys is to simply purchase a new shell for your existing key fob. Batteries Plus offers a selection of new shells that replace the plastic outer and buttons on your keychain, while leaving the electronics inside unaltered. These shells are a cost-effective option to upgrade your keychain without making an appointment with a dealer.
Keys with Keyless Entry
The car key fob has many benefits. They let you lock and unlock your car without having to locate your keys, particularly when you're carrying groceries or other heavy items in your hands. They can also help you open your trunk and hatch, if they have this functionality built-in.
The drawback to these kinds of keys is that they frequently consume battery power and make it difficult to use them for a long period of time. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, they might also be difficult to program. Many key fobs are easily replaced with new ones from third-party vendors like Pop-A Lock. If you look on the internet or at your local hardware store, you'll typically find them for a much lower price than the dealer-supplied alternatives.
If you have an ordinary key, duplicate costs are usually low, and can vary between $10 and $15. You might also be able to buy a replacement at your local hardware store or box chain store. However replacing keys that are more modern and require specialized encoding can be expensive. These keys are usually laser-cut and sometimes called sidewinder keys or high-security keys. They have a larger shank, and less carved-out grooves on the blade and they must be programmed with a specific machine at a locksmith shop or dealer.
A key with a chip can be quite expensive to replace and typically requires an appointment with a dealer to get the replacement code. Keys with chips are also referred to as transponder or smart keys. They have electronics that must be validated before they can be used to open doors or start engines. Dealers charge between $150 to $300 for a key that comes with the key fob as well as the transponder chip.
Keys with keyless entry may also be costly to replace if you lose them or the battery of your key fob dies. Most modern cars have these keys, which work by transmitting a signal from the key fob to a device in your car. The car locks or unlocks the car based on the signal. It also opens the hatch and trunk when the key is near the receiver.