How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost
The loss of your car keys is never a good idea. AutoZone offers the technology and replacement parts you require to replace your car key without having to pay dealership prices.
Bring a working key to an AutoZone store and an associate will match the contours on site using a key-cutting machine. It's about 20% less than buying through a dealer.
Keys that have Transponder chips
Modern cars come with key fobs, which provide security and convenience for car owners. However they also come with an expense. In certain instances, the cost of replacing a key fob which is damaged or lost could be costly. There are ways to reduce the expense of these devices. It's cheaper to have a spare car key made now, rather than waiting until you lose the key and are facing the cost to get car key cut of an appointment with a locksmith or towing charges.
Since the mid-1990s the transponder chip has been a vital component of the majority of cars. The name derives from "transmitter and responder". This technology was developed to combat the rising number of car thefts. In essence, the chip in a car transponder transmits an electronic signal that has a secret password. When the key is inserted in the ignition, the antenna ring around it reads the signal. If the signal matches the password, then the engine will begin. This is important because most thieves will simply hot-wire the vehicle and then drive off.
Transponder chips operate on the same basis as microchips used in cell phones and computers. The different is that they do not require constant power to function. Instead, they transmit an electromagnetic signal at a low frequency which can be recognized by special receivers that are placed in the ignition key's cylinder or on the head itself.
If you need to have a spare car key made for a vehicle equipped with a transponder chip, we highly recommend that you visit your local locksmith. Most locksmiths will have a device that can program new keys for the make and model of your car. This is a great alternative to going to the dealership.
It's also important to note that stores such as AutoZone offer a key-programming service. They often charge much more than professional locksmiths. This is due to the fact that they can benefit from the "scaling" effect which occurs when the quantity of units sold increases. In other words, they can transfer their cost savings to consumers.
Keys with Electronics
Modern keys have transponders or chips that are paired to the car when the key is put in the ignition. They are more expensive to replace than traditional keys due to the fact that they require programming, which can only be done by an auto locksmith or a dealership. This procedure can cost as much as $500 for an entirely new key, changing of the immobilizer's programming, and the possibility of labor costs.
The best method to cut down on key cutting costs is by avoiding the necessity of replacing your keys in the first place. It is crucial to have an extra car key in the event that the original key cutter is lost. You can buy a duplicate key from an hardware store or box store for between $25-$50, based on the kind of key cutting car.
Many people are unaware that they can purchase replacement keys online or at a discounted price from the manufacturer. The advantage of buying the factory key is that it's likely to be equipped with the proper transponder chip. This is important, as you cannot make use of an aftermarket car key unless it's been professionally programmed.
The majority of box shops and hardware stores do not have the equipment to program modern car keys, so they can only offer basic duplication services. You can also visit an independent locksmith, a repair shop or the dealer to get them replaced.
Another thing to take into consideration is that if you're thinking of purchasing a key for a low price from an online retailer, you'll need 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 determine if it has chips or cutout that shows evidence of an old key.
A key duplication machine is another option, but it won't be affordable for the majority of people. The machine is more expensive than blank keys, so you'll need to cut many keys in order to break even. If you're not sure about this, a vice or hand file are a cheaper alternative. However, this isn't the most secure method as it could harm the electronics of the key or break the key off inside the lock.
Keys with Key Fobs
Modern automobiles are equipped with remote controls that can lock and unlock the car and even start the motor. They are basically miniature remote transmitters that connect to the onboard computer of your vehicle using radio waves to transmit commands. These are great features for drivers, but they are expensive to duplicate or replace if lost.
Contrary to traditional keys that require a professional locksmith, dealer in automotive, or other specialty service provider to make keys, key fobs have sophisticated electronics and are therefore more expensive to produce than their basic counterparts. Fobs also need to be programmed prior to their use with your vehicle, which can increase the cost too.
If you lose your sole working fob, it could cost upwards of $300 to have a new original key and fob from the dealer. However, Consumer Reports says you can reduce the cost of a replacement fob to only $50 by buying it online. Find a key fob for your vehicle's model at Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts shop. Some of these keys may need to be laser-cut by locksmiths or programmed by a local dealer, but a lot can be customer-programmed with relative ease (though some may require two current, working keys for this).
Key fobs for standard keys are less expensive than more advanced models to replace because they don't have an embedded chip that needs to be reprogrammed after the fact. They can still be expensive to duplicate if you've got damaged or lost keys and require a template to reproduce them however, they are more affordable than the cost of replacing the entire key set from your dealer for your car.
Another way to cut your key cutting costs is to purchase a new case for your key fob. Batteries Plus offers a variety of shells that replace the outer plastic of your keychain and buttons, yet leave the electronics intact. They're a cost-effective way to refresh your keychain and spare you the hassle of trying to make an appointment at the dealership.
Keys with Keyless Entry
The car key fob comes with many advantages. They let you lock and unlock your vehicle without having to look for your keys. This is particularly useful when you're carrying large amounts of groceries or other things in your hands. If they're equipped with this feature built-in, they can help you open your trunk and hatch.
The drawback to these kinds of keys is that they frequently consume battery power which makes it difficult to use them for a long period of time. Additionally, they can be difficult to program, based on your vehicle's make and model. Fortunately, most key fobs can be replaced using replacements purchased from third-party suppliers like Pop-A-Lock. If you look online or in your local key cutting hardware store, you can often find them at significantly less than the dealer-supplied options.
If you have an ordinary key, duplicate costs are usually very affordable and range between $10 and $15. You might also be able to purchase a replacement at your local hardware store or box chain retailers. Keys that are newer and require specialized coding typically cost more to replace, however. They are usually laser-cut, often referred to as sidewinder or high-security keys. These keys are made with a thicker blade and less grooves on its shank. They must be programmed by a special machine in a locksmith or dealership.
A key with chip could be costly to replace and often requires the visit to a dealership to get the replacement code. These keys are also referred to as smart keys or transponder keys. They are equipped with electronics that need to be verified before they can be used to open doors or start engines. A dealer typically charges between $150 and $300 for a brand new original key that has both the key fob as well as a new transponder chip.
If you lose your keyless entry keys or if the battery in 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 in your car. The car locks or unlocks the car based on the signal. It will also open the trunk and hatch when the key is close to the receiver.