How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost
The loss of your car keys is never a good idea. AutoZone offers the technology and replacement parts that you need to replace your car keys without paying a dealership's high cost.
Bring a working key to an AutoZone store and an associate will match the contours on site with a key cutting machine. On average, this costs 20% less than going through a dealer.
Keys with Transponder Chips
Many modern vehicles have key fobs that offer an element of security and comfort for the owner of the vehicle. However, these devices come with an expense. In some instances the cost of replacing a key fob that has been lost or damaged is high. The good news is that there are options to lower the costs associated with these devices. It's much less expensive to have a spare vehicle key today, rather than waiting until you lose the key and are facing the cost of the visit of a locksmith or towing fees.
The transponder chip (which is named after the words "transmitter + responder") has been a feature of most automobiles since the mid-1990s. The technology was developed in response to rising levels of vehicle theft. The basic idea behind the car transponder chip emits signals that contain an encrypted password. When the key is placed in the ignition, the antenna ring around it detects the signal. If the signal matches the password, then the engine will begin. This is crucial because the majority of thieves will simply hot-wire the vehicle before driving off.
Transponder chips operate on a similar principle to the microchips found in cell phones and computers. The distinction is that they don't require constant power to operate. get keys cut emit a low frequency electromagnetic signal that can be identified by special detectors on the ignition cylinder as well as key head.
We suggest visiting your local locksmith if in need of an extra key for a car equipped with a transponder. Many locksmiths have a system to create new keys for your specific car model and make. This is a great alternative to going to the dealership.
It is also important to know that some shops, such as AutoZone will provide key programming services. However, they typically charge significantly more than locksmiths. This is because they can profit from the "scaling" effect which occurs when the quantity of units sold increases. In other words, they can transfer their savings to consumers.
Keys with Electronics
Modern keys have transponders or chips that are paired to the car when the key is inserted into the ignition. They are more expensive to replace than traditional keys due to the fact that they require programming that can only be completed by a dealership auto locksmith, or your manufacturer of your vehicle. This process can cost up to $500 for the new key, as well as reprogramming the immobilizer and perhaps costs for labor.
The best way to reduce car key replacement costs is to not have them in the first place. It is essential to have a spare car key in case the original is lost. You can buy a duplicate key at an hardware store or box store for between $25 to $50, based on the type of key.
Many people are unaware that they can purchase replacement keys from the manufacturer online or at a discounted price. The benefit of buying a factory key is that it's likely to be equipped with the proper transponder chip. This is essential since you won't be able to use an aftermarket key without having it professionally programmed.
Most hardware stores and box stores don't have the capability to program modern car keys, so they only offer basic key duplication services. You can also bring them to a dealer, an independent auto repair shop or a locksmith to have them replaced.
If you plan to buy a key for a low price online, make sure that it hasn't been programmed for someone else's vehicle. You can do this by examining the blade of the key for chip or the cutout to see if it shows evidence of an earlier key.
A key duplication machine is another option however, it's not affordable for most people. The machine usually costs more than the blank keys themselves and you'll need to cut a lot of keys to make a profit. If you're not comfortable with this, a vice and hand file are a much more affordable alternative. This is not the safest option because it can damage the key's electronic components or break the key in the lock.
Key Fobs with Keys
Modern cars come with remote controls that lock and unlock the car and also start the motor. These are essentially miniature remote transmitters that connect to the onboard computer of your vehicle using radio waves to send commands. They're a benefit for drivers, however they can be expensive to replace or duplicate if you lose one.
In contrast to traditional keys, which require a reputable locksmith, dealer in automotive, or other specialty service provider to make keys, key fobs have advanced electronics, making them more expensive to manufacture than their basic counterparts. Key fobs must also be programmed prior to their use with your vehicle, which could add up in cost too.
If you lose your sole working fob, it could cost up to $300 to have a new original key and fob from the dealer. However, Consumer Reports says you can reduce the cost of a replacement fob to only $50 by purchasing it online. Amazon, Walmart, or an auto-parts store might have a key fob that fits the car model you have. Some of these fobs may need to be laser-cut by locksmiths or programmed by a local dealer, but many can be programmed by the customer with ease (though some require two working keys to do this).
Standard key fobs can be replaced for less than more advanced models due to the fact that they don't have an embedded chip which needs to be reprogrammed. They can still be expensive to duplicate if you've damaged or lost keys and require a template reproduce them however, they are more affordable than the cost of replacing the entire key set purchased from your car's dealer.
You can also reduce your key cutting costs by buying a new shell to replace your old key fob. Batteries Plus has a range of shells that will replace the outer plastic of your keychain and buttons, while leaving the electronic components intact. They're a cost-effective method to refresh your keychain, and save you the hassle of having to schedule an appointment with the dealership.
Keys for Keyless Entry
Car key fobs have many advantages. They allow you to lock and unlock your car without having to look for your keys. This is particularly useful when you're carrying large quantities of groceries or other items in your hands. They can even assist you to open your trunk and hatch when they've got this feature integrated into them.
The downside to these types of keys is that they often drain the battery, making it hard to use them for long periods of time. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, they could also be difficult to program. A lot of key fobs can be 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 can often find these for a much lower price than dealer-supplied options.
If you already have a standard-sized key, the cost of duplication could be as just $10 to $15. You can also buy an additional key from your local hardware or box retailer store. However, replacing keys that are more recent and require specialized encryption could be costly. Keys that are laser cut, sometimes referred to as sidewinder keys or high-security keys. They feature a more robust shank, and less carved-out grooves on the key's blade, and they must be programmed with a specific machine that is found at the locksmith shop or dealership.
A key that has chips can be expensive to replace and typically requires a trip to the dealership to get the replacement code. They are also known as transponder or smart keys and they are equipped with electronics that must be validated by your car before it can open doors or start the engine. A dealer can charge between $150 to $300 for a brand new original key that comes with the key fob and an updated transponder chip.
Keys that have keyless entry could be costly to replace in the event that you lose them or your key fob battery dies. The majority of modern cars have these keys, which work by sending a signal from the key fob to a receiver in your car. The car locks or unlocks the car according to the signal. It will also open the trunk and hatch when the key is in close proximity to the receiver.