How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost
It's never a good idea to lose your car keys. Luckily, AutoZone has the technology and the parts to replace your key without having to pay the dealership.
Simply bring a current working key to a participating AutoZone location and an associate will match its contours by using a key cutting machine onsite. On average, this is 20% less than purchasing through the dealer.
Keys with Transponder chips
Many modern cars have key fobs which provide security and ease to the car owner. However, these devices come with an expense. In some instances it can be expensive to replace a damaged or lost key fob. The good news is that there are options to lower the costs associated with these devices. It's much less expensive to have a spare vehicle key today instead of waiting until you lose the key and are confronted with the expense of an appointment with a locksmith or towing fees.
Since the mid-1990s the transponder chip had been a key component of most automobiles. Its name is derived from "transmitter and responder". This technology was developed in response to the increasing rate of theft from cars. In essence, a car transponder chip transmits an electronic signal that has the secret password. When the key is put in the ignition and the antenna rings around, it detects the signal. If the signal matches the password, then the engine will start. This is important as most thieves simply wire the vehicle before driving away.
Transponder chips function in a similar way to microchips found in computers and cell phones. The distinction is that they don't require constant power to function. They emit a low frequency electromagnetic signal that is detected by special detectors placed on the ignition cylinder and the key head.
We recommend visiting your local locksmith if in need of the spare key for a car equipped with transponder. Many locksmiths have a system to create new keys to match your car model and make. This is a great alternative to going to the dealership.
It's also important to note that some shops, such as AutoZone will provide key programming services. They usually charge more than a professional locksmith. This is because they can profit from the "scaling" effect which occurs when the number of units sold rises. In this way, they could pass on their costs savings to consumers.
Keys with Electronics
Modern keys come with chips or transponders which pair to the vehicle whenever the key is inserted in the ignition. They are more expensive to replace than traditional car keys due to the fact that they need programming that can only be performed by a dealership, auto locksmith key cutting or your vehicle's manufacturer. The process can cost anywhere from to $500 for a new key, and reprogramming of the immobilizer, and possibly the cost of labor.
The most effective method to cut down on key cost is to avoid the need to replace your keys in the first place. This means you should have an extra key in case you lose the original. You can purchase a cheap duplicate key from an hardware store or box store for around $25 to $50, based on the kind of key.
Most people don't know that they can purchase replacement keys from the manufacturer online or at a discounted price. The advantage of buying the factory key is that it's likely to have the correct transponder chip. This is crucial, since you won't be able to use an aftermarket car key without having it professionally programmed.
Most hardware stores and box stores do not have the technology to program modern car keys, which is why they can only provide basic key duplication services. You can also go to an independent locksmith, a repair shop, or dealer to get them replaced.
If you plan to buy a cheap key on the internet, ensure that it hasn't been programmed for another vehicle. This can be done by looking at the key blade to find chip or a cutout that shows signs of an earlier key.
A key duplication machine is an alternative however, it's not cost-effective for the majority of people. The machine costs more than blank keys, so you'll have to cut a lot of keys to make a profit. If you don't feel at ease using a vice, hand files are a more affordable alternative. But, it's not the safest method because it may damage the key's electronics or even break the key in the lock.
Key Fobs with keys
Modern automobiles are equipped with remote controls that can lock and unlock the car and even start the motor. They are tiny transmitters which communicate with the computer onboard of your vehicle through radio waves. These are great features for drivers, but they are costly to duplicate or replace if lost.
In contrast to traditional keys, which require a professional locksmith, automotive dealer or any other specialist service provider to design keys, key fobs are equipped with sophisticated electronic components and are more expensive to manufacture than their basic counterparts. Key fobs must also be programmed prior to working with your vehicle, which can add up in cost as well.
A new car key cut key and fob can cost up to $300 when you lose your only functional fob. However, Consumer Reports says you can cut the cost of a replacement fob down to just $50 if you buy it on the internet. Amazon, Walmart, or an auto-parts store might have keys that are compatible with the car model you have. Some of these fobs may require laser cutting by a locksmith or programmed by a local dealer, but many are programmable by customers with ease (though some will require two working keys for this).
Key fobs for standard keys are less expensive than more advanced models to replace because they don't contain an embedded chip that needs to be reprogrammed following the fact. However, they can be costly to duplicate in the event that you need to create templates for a damaged or lost key it is less than purchasing a new key from your car dealer.
Another method to reduce your key cutting costs is to purchase an entirely new shell for your current key fob. Batteries Plus offers a selection of new shells that replace the plastic exterior and buttons on your key fob and leave the electronics inside unchanged. They're a cost-effective method to refresh your keychain and save you the hassle of having to schedule an appointment at the dealership.
Keys with Keyless Entry
Car key fobs offer a lot of benefits. They allow you to lock and unlock your vehicle without having to search for your keys, especially when you're carrying heavy groceries or other items in your hands. They can even assist you to open your trunk and hatch, in the event that they have this feature built-in.
The downside to these types of keys is that they often drain the battery which makes it difficult to use for long periods of time. Additionally, they are difficult to program, based on the vehicle's make and model. Fortunately, a lot of key fobs can be replaced using replacements purchased from third-party suppliers like Pop-A-Lock. These are usually available for much cheaper than the dealer-supplied version if you look online or at the local hardware store.
If you have an ordinary key, duplicate costs are usually very low, and can range from $10 to $15. You may also be able to purchase an alternative at your local hardware store or box chain retailers. Keys that are newer and require specialized coding typically cost more to replace, however. These keys are typically laser cut, sometimes called sidewinder or high-security keys. They feature a more robust shank and less carved-out grooves on the blade of the key, and they must be programmed using a specific machine found in the locksmith shop or dealership.
A key that has chip could be costly to replace and often requires a trip to the dealership to get keys cut the replacement code. These keys are also known as smart keys or transponder keys. They have electronics that must be verified before they can be used to open doors or start engines. Dealers can charge between $150 and $300 for a key that comes with the key fob as well as transponder chips.
If you lose your keys for keyless entry or if the battery inside your Key fob cut near me fob goes out it could be expensive to replace the keys. The majority of modern cars have keys that function by sending a signal from the key fob to a device in your car. The car then locks or unlocks based on this signal and opens the trunk and hatch when the key is close to the receiver.