How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost

It's never a good thing to lose your car keys. AutoZone provides the technology and replacement parts 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. It's about 20 percent less than purchasing from a dealer.

Keys with Transponder chips

Modern cars have key fobs, which offer security and convenience for car owners. However, these devices come with costs. In some cases, the cost of replacing a key fob which is damaged or lost is high. The good news is that there are methods to cut the costs associated with these devices. It's much less expensive to get a spare car key now instead of waiting until you lose the key and you are faced with paying for the visit of a locksmith or towing fees.

Since the mid-1990s the transponder chip had been a vital component of the majority of cars. Its name is derived from "transmitter and responder". This technology was designed to combat the rising number of car thefts. The car transponder transmits a secret code via a signal. When the key is inserted into the ignition, the antenna ring that is placed around the ignition cylinder detects the signal and, when it matches the password, the engine is started. This is important because most thieves will simply hot-wire the vehicle before driving away.

Transponder chips function in a similar way to microchips found in cell phones and computers. They do not require constant power. They emit a low frequency electromagnetic signal which can be detected by special detectors placed on the ignition cylinder as well as key head.

If you need to have an extra car key cutting business made for a car equipped with a transponder chip, we highly recommend that you visit your local locksmith. The majority of locksmiths have a tool to program new keys for your specific vehicle 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 provide key programming services. They usually charge more than professional locksmiths. They can do this because they take advantage of the "scaling effect" that occurs when the number units sold rises. They can then pass on the savings to the consumers.

Keys with Electronics

Modern keys are equipped with chips or transponders which are linked to the car when the key is turned in the ignition. These keys are more expensive to replace than traditional car keys due to the fact that they require programming that can only be done by a dealership, auto locksmith, or your vehicle's manufacturer. This process can cost up to $500 for new keys, the changing of the immobilizer's programming, and possible labor charges.

The best way to reduce the expense of replacing your car keys is to not require them in the first place. That means having an extra key in case you lose the original. You can buy a duplicate key at an hardware store or box store for around $25 to $50, depending on the kind of key.

Many people are unaware that they can buy replacement keys online or at an affordable price from the manufacturer. The benefit of buying a factory key is that it will likely be equipped with the correct transponder chip. This is crucial, since you won't be able to make use of an aftermarket car key without having it professionally programmed.

The majority of hardware stores and box stores don't have the technology to program modern car keys, which is why they can only provide basic key duplication services. You can also go to a dealer, an independent auto repair shop, or a locksmith to have them replaced.

If you are planning to purchase a key for a low price online, make sure it's not programmed for another vehicle. This can be accomplished by looking at the blade of the key to see if there is an embedded chip, or a cutout showing signs of an old key.

Purchasing a key duplication machine is another option, but it won't be affordable for the majority of people. The machinery usually costs more than the blank keys, and you'll have to cut a lot of keys to break even. If you're not happy with this, a vice and hand file are a much more affordable option. But, it's not the most secure method as it may harm the electronics of the key or break the key off in the lock.

Key Fobs with keys

Many modern vehicles come with key fobs, which are remote controls that lock and unlock your car and also to start the engine. These are essentially miniature remote transmitters that connect to the onboard computer of your vehicle using radio waves to send commands. They are a great benefit for drivers, but they are expensive to duplicate or replace if they are lost.

Contrary to traditional keys that require a reputable locksmith, automotive dealer or a different specialist service provider to create keys, key fobs are equipped with sophisticated electronics and are therefore more expensive to manufacture than the standard keys. They also need to be programmed to work with your vehicle, which can also increase the cost.

If you lose your sole functioning fob, it could cost you up to $300 to have a brand new 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 buy it on the internet. Find a key fob that matches your car's model on Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts shop. Some of these fobs might need to be laser-cut by locksmiths or programmed by a local dealer, but many can be programmed by the customer with relative ease (though some require two working keys to do this).

Standard key fobs can be replaced for less than more sophisticated models because they do not contain an embedded chip that needs to be reprogrammed. They can still be expensive to duplicate if you've got damaged or lost keys and need a template to make them again, but they are much more affordable than the cost of replacing a complete key set purchased from your dealer in your vehicle.

Another way to cut your key cutting costs is to simply purchase a new case for your existing key fob. Batteries Plus offers a selection of new shells that replace the plastic outer and buttons on your key fob while leaving the electronics inside unaltered. They're a cost-effective method to refresh your keychain, and save you the hassle of trying to schedule an appointment with the dealership.

Keys with Keyless Entry

The car key fob has many advantages. They let you lock and unlock your vehicle without having to search for your keys. This is especially useful when you are carrying heavy groceries or other items in your hands. If they have this feature built-in they will help you open the trunk and hatch.

The drawback to these kinds of keys is that they tend to consume battery power, making it hard to use them for long periods of time. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, they might also be difficult to program. Key fobs are often replaced with new ones from third-party vendors like Pop-A Lock. If you look online or in your local hardware store, you will often find these for a much lower price than the dealer-supplied options.

If you have a standard key, duplication costs are typically very affordable and vary from $10 to $15. You can also purchase a replacement key at your local hardware store or box retailer store. Keys that are newer and require specialized encryption typically cost more to replace, but. These keys are usually laser-cut and may be referred to as sidewinder keys or high-security keys. These keys have a thicker blade and have fewer grooves on the shank. They have to be programmed using a special machine found in a locksmith dealership.

It can be expensive to replace a key that has microchips and it is often required to visit a dealer in order to have the replacement coded. These are commonly called smart or transponder keys, and they are equipped with electronics which must be validated by your car before it will open any doors or start the engine. A dealer will often charge between $150 to $300 for a new key that has both the key fob and the transponder chip.

If you lose the keys to your keyless entry system or if the battery inside the key fob fails, it can be costly to replace the keys. These keys are found in most modern cars. They function by transmitting a message from the key fob into a receiver within your car. The car locks or unlocks itself based on this signal and opens the hatch and trunk if the key is close to the receiver.