How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost
It’s never a good thing to lose your car keys. Luckily, AutoZone has the technology and the parts to replace your key without overpaying at the dealership.
Simply bring your current working key to a participating AutoZone location and an associate will match its contours by using the key cutting machine on site. It’s about 20% less than buying from dealers.
Keys that have Transponder chips
Modern cars come with key fobs that provide security and convenience to owners. These devices aren’t free. In some instances, it can be quite expensive to replace a damaged or lost key fob. There are ways to reduce the cost of these devices. It’s cheaper to have a spare vehicle key today, rather than waiting until you lose the key and are confronted with the expense of an appointment with a locksmith or towing fees.
The transponder chip (which has its name derived from the words “transmitter + responder”) has been a standard feature in automobiles since the mid 1990s. This technology was developed in response to the increasing rate of car theft. The car key cutting near me transponder transmits an encrypted signal. When the key is inserted in the ignition, the antenna ring around the ignition cylinder detects this signal and when it matches the password, the engine starts. This is important because most thieves simply wire the vehicle before driving away.
Transponder chips operate on the same principle as the microchips in computers and cell phones. They don’t require constant power. They transmit a low frequency electromagnetic signal that is detected by special detectors placed on the ignition cylinder and key head.
We recommend visiting your local locksmith if you require a spare key for a car equipped with a transponder. Most locksmiths have a device to program new keys to match your vehicle model and. This is an excellent alternative to visiting the dealership.
It is also important to know that some stores such as AutoZone offer a key programming service. However, they typically cost significantly more than a locksmith. They do this because they take advantage of the “scaling effect” that occurs when the number units sold rises. In other words, they can transfer their cost savings to consumers.
Keys with Electronics
Modern keys have chips or Car Key Cutting Cost transponders which are linked to the car when the key is inserted into the ignition. These keys are more expensive to replace than traditional keys because they require programming that is only done by a dealership, auto locksmith, or your manufacturer of your vehicle. This process can cost as high as $500 for new keys, the reprogramming of the immobilizer, and possible labor charges.
The most effective method to save money on key cost is to avoid the need to replace 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 type of key.
Many people are unaware that they can buy replacement keys online at a discounted price from the manufacturer. The advantage of purchasing an original key is that it will likely be equipped with the right transponder chip. This is important because you won’t be able to use an aftermarket key without having it professionally programmed.
The majority of box shops and hardware stores do not have the equipment to program modern car keys and therefore, they are unable to offer basic duplication services. You can bring them to a dealer or a reputable auto repair shop or a locksmith to get 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 determine if there’s chips or cutout that shows evidence of an old key.
A key duplication device can be purchased, but it is not an option for the majority of people. The machine costs more than keys that are blank, so you’ll need to cut car keys near me many keys in order to break even. If you’re not happy with this, a vice and hand file are a more affordable option. But, it’s not the safest method because it could damage the key’s electronics or even cut the key off inside the lock.
Keys with Key Fobs
Modern cars come with remote controls that lock and unlock the vehicle, and start the motor. These are small remote transmitters which communicate with the computer onboard of your vehicle through radio waves. They’re a great convenience for drivers, however they can be costly to replace or duplicate in the event that you lose one.
Unlike traditional keys, which require a great locksmith, dealer in automotive, or other specialty service provider to design keys, key fobs have sophisticated electronics and are therefore more expensive to produce than their basic counterparts. They also require to be programmed before they work with your vehicle, which could add up in cost too.
If you lose your only functioning fob, it could cost upwards of $300 to get a replacement original fob and key from the dealership. However, Consumer Reports says you can reduce the cost of a replacement fob to only $50 if you buy it on the internet. Find the right key fob that matches 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 customer-programmed easily (though some may require two current, working keys to accomplish this).
Standard key fobs are much less expensive than more advanced models to replace because they don’t contain an embedded chip that has to be programmed after the fact. They are still expensive to copy if you have damaged or lost keys and require a template reproduce them, but they are much cheaper than the expense of replacing an entire key set from your dealer in your vehicle.
You can also reduce your cost of cutting keys by purchasing a new shell to replace your current key fob. Batteries Plus has a range of new shells that replace the outer plastic and buttons on your key fob and leave the electronics inside unchanged. They’re a cost-effective way to refresh your keychain and save you the hassle of trying to make an appointment at the dealership.
Keys with Keyless Entry
The car key fob offers numerous advantages. They allow you to lock and unlock your vehicle without having to search for your keys. This is particularly useful when you are carrying large quantities of groceries or other items in your hands. If they have this feature built in they will assist you to open your hatch and trunk.
These keys are not ideal for long-term use because they drain the battery. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, they might also be difficult to program. Fortunately, most key fobs are reprogrammable with replacements from third-party vendors like Pop-A-Lock. They are often available at a lower cost than dealer-supplied options, by searching at the internet or go to the local hardware store.
If you have a standard key, duplication costs are usually very low and range from $10 to $15. You can also purchase keys to replace them at your local box retailer or hardware store. Keys that are newer and require specialized encoding usually cost more to replace, however. These keys are typically laser cut, sometimes referred to as sidewinder 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 the locksmith shop or dealership.
It can be costly to replace a key with a microchip, and it’s often required to visit the dealer to have the replacement coded. These keys are often referred to as transponder or smart keys and they have electronics inside that must be validated by your vehicle before it will open any doors or start the engine. Dealers can charge between $150 and $300 for a key that has the key fob and the transponder chip.
Keys with keyless entry can also be expensive to replace in the event that you lose them or the battery of your key fob dies. Most modern cars have these keys, which function by sending a signal from your key fob to a receiver in your car. The car locks or unlocks itself according to the signal and opens the trunk and hatch when the key is close to the receiver.