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How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost

It's never a good idea to lose your car keys. AutoZone provides the technology and replacement parts you need to replace your car keys without paying dealership 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 dealers.

Keys with Transponder chips

Many modern cars have key fobs that provide an element of security and comfort to the car owner. However they come at a cost. In some instances, the cost of replacing a key fob that has been damaged or lost could be costly. The good news is that there are ways to reduce the cost associated with these devices. It is cheaper to order an extra key now rather than to wait until you lose your car keys and need to pay a locksmith or towing charges.

Since the mid-1990s the transponder chip had been a key component of most automobiles. Its name comes from "transmitter and responder". This technology was developed as a response to the rising rate of theft from cars. A car transponder transmits a secret code via a signal. When the key is inserted in the ignition the antenna will ring around it detects the signal. If the signal matches the password, then the engine will begin. This is significant since most thieves hot wire the vehicle to start it, and then leave the scene.

Transponder chips work on a similar principle to the microchips used in cell phones and computers. They don't require constant power. They transmit a low frequency electromagnetic signal which can be detected by special detectors that are placed on the ignition cylinder as well as the key head.

If you require an extra car key made for a vehicle equipped with a transponder chip, we highly recommend that you visit your local locksmith. Many locksmiths have a system to program new keys to match your car model and make. This is an excellent alternative to visiting a dealership.

It's also important to remember that some stores, like AutoZone offer a key programming service. However, they often cost significantly more than locksmiths. They can do this because they can benefit from a "scaling effect" that occurs when the number units sold rises. In other words, they are able to transfer their cost savings to consumers.

Keys with Electronics

Modern keys come with chips or transponders that are paired to the car when the key is put in the ignition. They are more expensive to replace than traditional car keys because they require programming that is only completed by a dealership auto locksmith or the manufacturer of your vehicle. The process could cost up to $500 for a new key, the reprogramming of the immobilizer, and possible labor charges.

The best way to reduce car key replacement costs is to not need them in the first place. This means having a spare key in case you lose the original. You can buy a duplicate key from an hardware store or box store for around $25 to $50, based on the type of key.

Many people are unaware that they can purchase replacement keys online at a discounted price from the manufacturer. The advantage of buying a factory key is that it will come with the proper transponder chip. This is essential because you won't be able to use an aftermarket key without having it professionally programmed.

The majority of hardware and box stores do not have the technology to program modern car keys, so they offer only basic key duplication services. You can also visit an independent locksmith, a repair shop or the dealer to have them replaced.

Another thing to take into consideration is that if you're thinking of buying a cheap key from an online retailer, you'll have to make sure it isn't already programmed to someone else's car. This can be accomplished by examining the blade of the key to see if there is chips, or a cutout showing signs of an old key.

A key duplication machine is a different option however it's not affordable for most people. The cost of the machine is higher than blank keys, so you'll need to cut many keys in order to break even. If you're not at ease with a vice hand files are an alternative that is less expensive. This isn't the most secure option as it could cause damage to the electronic components of the key or even break the key in the lock.

Keys with Key Fobs

Many modern vehicles come with key fobs that are remote controls that lock your car, unlock it and also to start the engine. These are essentially miniature remote transmitters that communicate with your vehicle's onboard computer through radio waves to send commands. These are a great convenience for drivers but can be costly to duplicate or replace in the event of loss.

Key fobs are more expensive than conventional keys due to the fact that they are equipped with sophisticated electronics. Key fobs must also be programmed prior to their use with your vehicle, which could add up in cost as well.

If you lose your only working fob, it could cost you up to $300 to get a replacement fob and key from the dealer. However, Consumer Reports says you can cut the cost of a replacement fob to as little as $50 by buying it online. Amazon, Walmart, or an auto-parts shop may have keys that are compatible with your car model. Certain key fobs need to be laser-cut or programmed by the local dealer. However, many of them can be programmed by the customer.

Key fobs from the standard model can be replaced for less than the more sophisticated models because they do not contain an embedded chip that needs to be reprogrammed. Although they can be costly to duplicate in the event that you need to design a template to replace a damaged or lost key, the cost is much lower than purchasing a brand new set of keys from your car dealer.

You can also reduce your cost of cutting keys by purchasing a new case to replace your existing key fob. Batteries Plus offers a variety of shells that replace the plastic exterior of your keychain and buttons, but leave the electronics intact. They're an affordable way to refresh your keychain and save you the hassle of having to schedule an appointment with the dealership.

Keys with Keyless Entry

Car key fobs offer many advantages. They let you lock and unlock your car key cutting cost without having to locate your keys, especially when you're carrying heavy groceries or other weights in your hands. If they're equipped with this feature built-in they will assist you to open your hatch and trunk.

These keys aren't ideal for long-term use because they can drain your battery. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, they may also be difficult to program. Fortunately, many key fobs can be replaced using replacements from third-party vendors like Pop-A-Lock. If you search online or visit your local hardware store, you will often find these for less than the dealer-supplied alternatives.

If you already have a standard key, the cost of duplicates can be as low as $10-$15. You might also be able to purchase an alternative at your local hardware store or box chain retailer. Keys that require specialized encryption typically cost more to replace, but. These keys are typically laser cut, sometimes referred to as sidewinder keys or high-security keys. They have a larger shank, and less carved-out grooves on the blade and must be programmed with a specific machine at a locksmith shop or dealer.

It is costly to replace a key with a microchip, and it's often necessary to visit the dealer to get car key cut the replacement code. These are commonly called transponder keys or smart keys, and they are equipped with electronics that need to be verified by your vehicle before it will open any doors or start the engine. Dealers can charge between $150-$300 for a key that includes the key fob as well as the transponder chip.

Keys with keyless entry may also be costly to replace if you lose them or the battery of your key fob is dead. Keyless entry keys are available in a majority of modern vehicles. They function by transmitting an electronic message from the key fob to the car's receiver. The car locks or unlocks the car according to the signal. It also opens the hatch and trunk when the key is in close proximity to the receiver.