How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost
It’s never a good idea to lose your car keys. AutoZone offers the technology and replacement parts you need to replace your car key without having to pay dealership costs.
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 purchasing through a dealer.
Keys with Transponder Chips
Many modern cars have key cutting for cars fobs that provide security and comfort to the car owner. These devices 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 costs of these devices. It’s much less expensive to get a spare car key now, rather than waiting until you lose the key and you are faced with paying for the visit of a locksmith or towing charges.
Since the mid-1990s, the transponder chip has been a key component of the majority of cars. Its name comes from “transmitter and responder”. This technology was designed to stop the increasing number of car thefts. The car transponder transmits an encrypted signal. When the key is inserted in the ignition, the antenna ring that is placed around the ignition cylinder receives the signal and, when it matches the password, the engine is started. This is a big deal because most thieves simply use hot wires to get it started and then leave the scene.
Transponder chips operate on the same basis as microchips used in computers and cell phones. They don’t require constant power. Instead, they send an electromagnetic signal of low frequency that can be detected by special receivers placed in the ignition key’s cylinder or on the head itself.
We suggest visiting your local locksmith if in need of the spare key for a vehicle with transponder. Many locksmiths have a system to make new keys for your particular car model and make. This is an excellent alternative to visiting the dealership.
It’s also important to remember that some shops, such as AutoZone offer a key programming service. However, they typically charge significantly more than locksmiths. They can achieve this because they benefit from the “scaling effect” that occurs when the number of units sold rises. In this way, they could pass on their costs savings to the consumer.
Keys with Electronics
Modern keys are equipped with chips or transponders which pair to the vehicle when the key is placed into the ignition. These keys are more expensive to replace than traditional keys because they require programming that is only completed by a dealership auto locksmith or your vehicle’s manufacturer. This procedure can cost up to $500 for new keys, the programming of the immobilizer and possibly, labor costs.
The best way to cut down on car key replacement costs is to not require them in the first place. This means having a spare key in the event that you lose the original. You can purchase an additional key for $25 to $50 at a box store or hardware retailer, based on the type of key.
Many people are unaware that they can buy replacement keys from the manufacturer online or at a discount. A factory-issued key is likely to contain the correct transponder. This is important, as you will not be able use a car key that is aftermarket unless it has been professionally programmed.
The majority of box shops and hardware stores do not have the equipment to program modern car keys They can only offer basic duplication services. You can go to a dealer or an independent auto repair shop or a locksmith shop to get them replaced.
If you’re planning to purchase an inexpensive key online, make sure that it’s not programmed to the vehicle of someone else. You can do this by examining the key blade to find chip or an open cutout that has evidence of the previous key.
A key duplication machine can be bought, but it is not an option for the majority of people. The equipment typically costs more than the blank keys, and you’ll have to cut many keys to break even. If you’re not comfortable with this, a vice and hand file are a much cheaper alternative. But, it’s not the most secure method as it may cause damage to the electronic components of the key or even break the key in the lock.
Keys with Key Fobs
Modern automobiles are equipped with remote controls that can lock and unlock the vehicle, and also start the motor. They are tiny transmitters which communicate with the onboard computer of your vehicle via radio waves. They’re a benefit for drivers, but they can be costly to replace or duplicate if you lose one.
Key fobs are more expensive than conventional keys because they contain sophisticated electronic components. Key fobs must also be programmed prior to their use with your vehicle, which can add up in costs as well.
If you lose your only functioning fob, it could cost upwards of $300 to get a replacement original fob and key from the dealership made. Consumer Reports claims that you can reduce the cost of the new fob by up to 50% if you purchase it online. Search for a key fob for your vehicle’s model at Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts store. Some of these fobs may require laser cutting by a locksmith or Car Key Cutting Cost programmed by a dealer in your area, but most are programmable by customers with ease (though some will require two working keys for this).
Key fobs that are standard can be replaced for a lot less than more advanced models because they do not have an embedded chip which requires reprogramming. They can be costly to duplicate if you’ve a lost or damaged key and require a template make them again however, they are cheaper than the expense of replacing the entire key set purchased from your car’s dealer.
Another method to reduce your key cutting costs is to purchase a new case for your current key fob. Batteries Plus offers a variety of new shells that replace the plastic outer and buttons on your key fob, while leaving the electronics inside unchanged. These shells are an affordable solution to update your keychain without the need to make an appointment with a dealer.
Keys for Keyless Entry
The car key fob has numerous advantages. They allow you to lock and unlock your car without having to find your keys, particularly when you’re carrying groceries or other heavy loads in your hands. They can even help you open your trunk and hatch, when they’ve got this feature built in.
These keys are not ideal for long-term use because they can drain your battery. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, they could also be difficult to program. Fortunately, a lot of key fobs can be replaced using replacements from third-party vendors like Pop-A-Lock. These are usually available for much cheaper than a dealer-supplied option, when you search online or at the local hardware store.
If you already have a standard-sized key, duplication costs can be as low as $10-$15. You can also purchase an additional key from 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 usually laser-cut, and are sometimes referred to as sidewinder keys or high-security keys. These keys are made with a thicker blade and have fewer grooves on its shank. They must be programmed using a special machine in a locksmith or dealership.
It is costly to replace a key that has a microchip and it is usually necessary to visit the dealer to get the replacement code. These keys are often referred to as transponder or smart keys and they are equipped with electronics that must be validated by your vehicle before it will open any doors or start the engine. A dealer can charge between $150 and $300 for a brand new original key that comes with the key fob as well as a new transponder chip.
If you lose the keys to your keyless entry system or if the battery inside the key fob fails it could be expensive to replace the keys. Most modern cars have keys that function by sending a signal from your key fob to a 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.