How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost
The loss of your car keys is not a good idea. Luckily, AutoZone has the technology and parts to replace your key without having to pay the dealership.
Bring a working key to an AutoZone store and an associate will match the contours on site with a key cutting machine. It’s typically 20 percent less than purchasing from a dealer.
Keys with Transponder Chips
Modern cars have key fobs, which provide security and convenience for car owners. These devices are not free. In some cases it can be high to replace a damaged or lost key fob. There are ways to cut down on the expense of these devices. It’s cheaper to purchase an extra key today 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 has been an integral part of most automobiles. Its name is derived from “transmitter and responder”. This technology was designed to counter the growing number of car thefts. The car transponder transmits a secret code via a signal. When the key is inserted into ignition, an antenna ring that is placed around the ignition cylinder reads the signal and, if it matches with the password, the engine is started. This is an important thing because most thieves simply connect a hot wire to the vehicle to start it and then take off.
Transponder chips function in a similar way to microchips found in cell phones and computers. The different is that they do not require constant power to function. Instead, they transmit an electromagnetic signal of low frequency that can be detected by special receivers placed in the ignition cylinder or on the key head itself.
We recommend visiting your local locksmith if you need the spare key for a vehicle with a transponder. Many locksmiths have a system to program new keys for your particular car model and make. This is an excellent alternative to driving to the dealership.
Also, it’s important to know that some stores like AutoZone provide a key-programming service. However, they often cost significantly higher than a locksmith. This is due to the fact that they can benefit from the “scaling” effect that occurs when the quantity of units sold increases. They can then pass on the savings to consumers.
Keys with Electronics
Modern keys come with transponders or chips that pair with the vehicle 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, which must be performed by an auto locksmith or a dealership. This process can cost as much as $500 for a new key, the reprogramming of the immobilizer, and possibly, labor costs.
The best method to save money on key cost is to avoid the need to replace your keys in the first place. This means having a spare key in case you lose the original. You can purchase an additional key for $25-$50 at a box store or hardware retailer, based on the key type.
Many people are unaware that they can purchase replacement keys from the manufacturer online or at a discounted price. The benefit of buying an original key is that it will likely have the right transponder chip. This is crucial, since you won’t be able to use a car key cutting car that is aftermarket unless it’s been professionally programmed.
The majority of hardware stores and box shops do not have the equipment to program modern-day car keys and therefore, they are unable to offer basic duplication services. You can also visit an independent locksmith, a repair shop, or dealer to have them replaced.
If you plan to buy an inexpensive key on the internet, ensure that it’s not programmed for someone else’s vehicle. This can be accomplished by checking the key blade to see if there is chips, or a cutout showing the signs of an old key.
A key duplication machine is an alternative, but it won’t be cost-effective for the majority of people. The machine costs more than keys that are blank, so you’ll need to cut many keys in order to break even. If you’re not at ease using a vice, hand-files are an alternative that is less expensive. This is not the safest option because it can cause damage to the electronic components of the key or even break the key in the lock.
Keys with Key Fobs
A lot of modern cars have key fobs that are remote controls to lock and unlock your car and even start the engine. They are tiny transmitters that communicate with the computer onboard of your vehicle via radio waves. They are a great benefit for drivers, but they are expensive to duplicate or replace in the event of loss.
Key fobs are more expensive than traditional keys due to the fact that they are equipped with sophisticated electronics. Fobs must also be programmed to work with your car and can add up in price.
A new fob and key can cost up to $300 when you lose your only functional fob. Consumer Reports claims that you can reduce the cost of an entirely new fob by up to 50% if you purchase it online. Search for a key fob for your car’s model on Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts store. Some of these fobs may require laser cutting by locksmiths or programmed by your local dealer, but a lot are programmable by customers with ease (though some require two working, current keys to do this).
Key fobs that are standard are cheaper than the more sophisticated models to replace because they don’t come with an embedded chip that has to be programmed after the fact. They are still expensive to duplicate if you’ve got a lost or damaged key and require a template make them again, but they are much cheaper than the expense of replacing the entire key set from your car’s dealer.
You can also cut down on cost of cutting keys by buying a new shell to replace your old key fob. Batteries Plus has a range of new shells that replace the outer plastic and buttons on your keychain, and leave the electronics inside unaltered. These shells are a cost-effective solution to updating your keychain without making an appointment with the dealer.
Keys for Keyless Entry
Car key fobs offer many advantages. They allow you to lock and unlock your car without having to search for your keys. This is especially useful when you have heavy groceries or other items in your hands. They can even help you open your hatch and trunk, if they have this functionality built in.
The drawback to these kinds of keys is that they frequently consume battery power which makes it difficult to use them for a long period of time. Additionally, they can be difficult to program, based on your vehicle’s model and make. Fortunately, most key fobs can be replaced with replacements from third-party vendors like Pop-A-Lock. These can often be found at a much lower cost than a dealer-supplied option, if you look online or at the local hardware store.
If you already have a standard key, duplication costs can be as just $10 to $15. You may also be able to purchase an alternative at your local hardware store or box chain store. Keys that are newer and require specialized coding typically cost more to replace, however. These keys are typically laser cut, sometimes called sidewinder or high-security keys. They have a thicker shank, and less carved-out grooves on the blade and they have to be programmed with a specific machine at the locksmith shop or dealership.
A key that has a chip can be quite expensive to replace and usually requires the visit to a dealership to get the replacement code. These are commonly called smart or transponder keys, and they have electronics inside that must be validated by your vehicle before it can open doors or start the engine. Dealers charge between $150 and $300 for a key that comes with the key fob and a transponder chip.
If you lose your keyless entry keys or if the battery inside the key fob fails it could cost you to replace them. The majority of modern cars have these keys, which function by sending a signal from your key fob to a device in your car. The car locks or unlocks itself based on this signal and opens the trunk and hatch when the key is within close proximity to the receiver.