How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost
It's never a good thing to lose your car keys. AutoZone offers the technology and replacement parts you need to replace your car key without paying a dealership's high cost.
Bring a key that is working to an AutoZone store and an associate will match the contours on site with a key-cutting machine. It's about 20% less than going through a dealer.
Keys with Transponder chips
Many modern vehicles have key fobs which provide an element of security and ease for the owner of the vehicle. However, these devices come with a cost. In some cases, it can be quite high to replace a lost or damaged key fob. The good news is that there are options to cut the costs associated with these devices. It's cheaper to buy an extra key today than to wait until you lose your car key and have to pay for the locksmith or towing fees.
Since the mid-1990s the transponder chip had been an integral part of most cars. Its name is derived from "transmitter and responder". The technology was developed in response to rising levels of vehicle theft. Transponders in cars transmit an encrypted signal. When the key is inserted into the ignition, an antenna ring that is placed around the ignition cylinder receives this signal and if it matches with the password, the engine will start. This is important because most thieves will simply hot-wire the vehicle and drive off.
Transponder chips work in a similar way to the microchips found in cell phones and computers. The difference is that they don't require constant power to operate. Instead, they transmit an electromagnetic signal at a low frequency which can be detected by special receivers placed in the ignition key's cylinder or on the head itself.
If you need to have a spare car key created for a vehicle equipped with transponder chips We strongly suggest that you visit your local locksmith. Many locksmiths have a system to create new keys for your particular vehicle model and make. This is a great alternative to visiting the dealership.
Also, it's important to note that stores like AutoZone provide a key-programming service. They usually charge more than a professional locksmith. They achieve this because they take advantage of a "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 come with chips or transponders which connect with the vehicle when the key is placed into the ignition. These keys are more expensive to replace than traditional keys as they require programming, which must be performed by an auto locksmith or a dealership. This procedure can cost up to $500 for the new key, and reprogramming of the immobilizer, and possibly costs for labor.
The best way to reduce cost of replacing car keys is to not require them in the first place. It is important to have a spare car key in case the original one is lost. You can purchase a cheap duplicate key at the hardware store or at a box store for around $25 to $50, based on the type of key.
Many people are unaware that they can purchase replacement keys from the manufacturer online or at a discount. A factory-issued key is likely to contain the correct transponder. This is crucial since you won't be able to use an aftermarket key without having it professionally programmed.
The majority of hardware and box stores don't have the technology to program modern car keys, which is why they only offer basic key duplication services. You can go to a dealer, an independent auto repair shop or a locksmith to have them replaced.
Another thing to think about is that if you're thinking of buying a key at a bargain price from an online retailer, you'll need make sure it isn't already programmed to someone else's car. This can be done by examining the blade of the key for chip or an open cutout that has evidence of the previous key.
A key duplication machine is another option however it's not cost-effective for the majority of people. The machine is more expensive than keys with blanks, which means you'll need to cut numerous keys to break even. If you're not sure about this, a vice or hand file are a more affordable alternative. However, this isn't the safest method because it could harm the electronics of the key or break the key off in the lock.
Keys with Key Fobs
Many modern vehicles come with key fobs that are remote controls to lock and unlock your vehicle and start the engine. These are essentially miniature remote transmitters that communicate with the computer in your vehicle via radio waves to send commands. They're a great convenience for drivers, however they can be costly to replace or duplicate if you lose one.
In contrast to traditional keys, which require a great locksmith, automotive dealer, or other specialty service provider to create keys, key fobs are equipped with advanced electronics, making them more expensive to make than their standard counterparts. Fobs must also be programmed to work with your car and can add up in price.
A new key and fob could cost as much as $300 if you lose your only functional fob. Consumer Reports claims that you can cut the cost of the new fob by as much as 50% if you purchase it on the internet. Amazon, Walmart, or an auto parts shop might have an appropriate key fob for the car model you have. Some of these fobs might require laser cutting by locksmiths or programmed by your local dealer, but many can be programmed by the customer with relative ease (though some require two working, current keys to accomplish this).
Standard key fobs can be replaced for a lot less than more advanced models because they do not have an embedded chip which needs to be reprogrammed. They are still expensive to duplicate if you've got damaged or lost keys and need a template to duplicate them, but they are much more affordable than the cost of replacing the entire key set from the dealer for your car.
Another way to cut the cost of cutting keys is to purchase an entirely new shell for your current key fob. Batteries Plus offers a variety of new shells that replace the plastic exterior and buttons on your key fob but leaving the inside electronics unaltered. They're a cost-effective way to refresh your keychain and spare you the headache of trying to make an appointment at the dealership.
Keys with Keyless Entry
Car key fobs have many advantages. They allow you to lock and unlock your car without having to find your keys, especially if you're carrying heavy groceries or other weights in your hands. If they're equipped with this feature they will help you open your trunk and hatch.
The downside to these types of keys is that they tend to consume battery power which makes it difficult to use them for a long period of time. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, they may also be difficult to program. Fortunately, most key fobs are reprogrammable with replacements purchased from third-party suppliers like Pop-A-Lock. These are usually available for much cheaper than a dealer-supplied option, when you search online or at your local hardware store.
If you own an ordinary key, duplicate costs are usually very affordable and vary from $10 to $15. You can also buy an additional key from your local box retailer or hardware store. However replacing keys that are more recent and require specialized encryption can be expensive. They are usually laser cut, sometimes referred to as sidewinder or high-security keys. They have a larger shank, and less carved-out grooves on the key's blade, and they have to be programmed with a specific machine found in a locksmith shop or dealer.
It is costly to replace a key using microchips and it is often necessary to visit a dealer to obtain the replacement code. These keys are also referred to as smart keys or transponder keys. They have electronics that need to be verified before they can open doors or start engines. A dealer will often charge between $150 and $300 for a new key that has both the key fob as well as a new 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 them. The majority of modern cars have these keys, which work by sending a signal from your key fob to a receiver inside your car. The car then locks or unlocks based on this signal and opens the trunk and hatch if the key is in close proximity to the receiver.