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 that you need to replace your car key without paying a dealership's high prices.
Simply bring your current working key to a participating AutoZone location and an associate will match the contours using the key cutting machine on site. This costs on average 20% less than buying from dealers.
Keys with Transponder Chips
Modern cars are equipped with key fobs that provide convenience and security to car owners. However, these devices come with costs. In some cases it can be high to replace a damaged or lost key fob. The good news is that there are methods to lower the costs associated with these devices. It is much cheaper to have a spare car key now instead of waiting until you lose the key and you are faced with paying for a locksmith's visit or towing charges.
The transponder chip (which takes its name from the words "transmitter + responder") has been a feature of most cars since the mid 1990s. This technology was created in response to the increasing rate of car theft. Essentially, a car transponder chip transmits a signal that contains an encrypted password. When the key is placed in the ignition and the antenna rings around, it detects the signal. If the signal is in line with the password, the engine will begin. This is a big deal because the majority of thieves simply use hot wires to start it, and then take off.
Transponder chips operate in a similar way to microchips in cell phones and computers. They do not require constant power. Instead, they emit a low-frequency electromagnetic signal that is recognized by special receivers that are placed in the ignition key's cylinder or on the head itself.
If you're looking to get a spare car key created for a car equipped with transponder chips We highly recommend you visit your local locksmith. The majority of locksmiths have a tool to create new keys to match your vehicle model and make. This is an excellent alternative to going to the dealership.
It's also important to note that some stores such as AutoZone offer a key programming service. However, they typically cost more than locksmiths. This is because they are able to benefit from the "scaling" effect which occurs when the number of units sold rises. They can then pass on the savings to the consumers.
Keys with Electronics
Modern keys are equipped with chips or transponders that are connected to the car when the key is put in the ignition. These keys are more expensive to replace than traditional keys because they require programming, which must be completed by an auto locksmith or a dealership. This process can cost up to $500 for the new key, and reprogramming of the immobilizer and possibly costs for labor.
The best way to reduce the expense of replacing your car keys is to not need them in the first place. It is crucial to have an extra car key in case the original one is lost. You can purchase a cheap duplicate key from a hardware store or box store for around $25 to $50, depending on the type of key.
Many people are unaware that they can buy keys replacement online or at a a discounted price from the manufacturer. The advantage of purchasing an original key is that it will likely come with the correct transponder chip. This is important since you won't be able to use an aftermarket key unless it has been professionally programmed.
Most hardware stores and box stores don't have the technology to program modern car keys, which is why they offer only basic key duplication services. You can also visit an independent locksmith, auto repair shop or dealer to get them replaced.
If you are planning to purchase an inexpensive key on the internet, ensure that it's not programmed for another vehicle. This can be done by checking the key blade to see if there is a chip, or a cutout showing evidence of an old key.
Purchasing a key duplication machine is another option however it's not cost-effective for the majority of people. The machine costs more than keys with blanks, which means you'll have to cut a lot of 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 harm the electronics of the key or break the key off in the lock.
Key Fobs with Keys
Modern automobiles are equipped with remote controls that lock and unlock the car and also start the motor. These are small remote transmitters that communicate with the computer onboard of your vehicle through radio waves. These are great features for drivers, but they are expensive to duplicate or replace in the event of loss.
Contrary to traditional keys that require a great locksmith, dealer in automotive, or any other specialist service provider to make keys, key fobs have advanced electronics, making them more expensive to make than their standard counterparts. Fobs must also be programmed to work with your vehicle and this can increase the cost.
A new fob and key can cost up to $300 in the event that you lose your sole functional fob. Consumer Reports claims that you can cut the cost of a new fob by as much as 50% if you buy it on the internet. Look 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 locksmiths or programmed by your local dealer, but a lot can be programmed by the customer with ease (though some may require two working keys for this).
Key fobs that are standard are cheaper than more advanced models to replace since they don't come with an embedded chip that needs to be programmed after the fact. They can be costly to copy if you have a lost or damaged key and need a template to reproduce them, but they are much cheaper than the expense of replacing the entire key set from the car's dealer.
Another option to reduce your costs for cutting keys is by simply buying a new case for your current key fob. Batteries Plus offers a variety of new shells that replace the plastic exterior and buttons on your keychain, and leave 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 allow you to lock and unlock your vehicle without having to search for your keys, especially if you're carrying groceries or other heavy weights in your hands. If they're equipped with this feature, they can help you open your trunk and hatch.
These keys aren't recommended for long-term use because they drain batteries. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, they could also be difficult to program. Fortunately, a lot of key fobs can be replaced using replacements purchased from third-party providers like Pop-A-Lock. If what is it worth look online or visit your local hardware store, you'll often find them at significantly less than the dealer-supplied alternatives.
If you own an ordinary key, duplicate costs are usually very low, and can vary from $10 to $15. You may also be able to purchase an alternative at your local hardware store or box chain retailers. However, replacing keys that are more modern and require specialized encoding can be expensive. Keys that are laser-cut, and are sometimes referred to as sidewinder keys or high-security keys. They have a larger shank and have less grooves carved out on the blade and they have to be programmed using a specific machine at a dealership or locksmith shop.
It is costly to replace a key using a microchip, and it's often required to visit the dealer to have the replacement coded. They are also known as smart or transponder keys, and they have electronics inside that must be validated by your car before it can open doors or start the engine. Dealers can charge between $150 to $300 for a key that comes with the key fob as well as a transponder chip.
Keys with keyless entry may be costly to replace in the event that you lose them or your key fob battery dies. Many modern cars come with these keys, which function by sending a signal from the key fob to a device 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.