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 that you need to replace your car keys without paying dealership costs.

Simply bring your current working key to a participating AutoZone location and an associate will match the contours by using the key cutting machine on site. On average, this costs 20% less than buying through a dealer.

Keys with Transponder chips

Many modern vehicles have key fobs which provide an element of security and convenience to the car owner. These devices aren't free. In some cases, it can be quite high to replace a lost or damaged key fob. The good news is that there are ways to lower the costs associated with these devices. It's cheaper to have a spare car keys cut vehicle key made now, rather than waiting until you lose the key and are faced with paying for an appointment with a locksmith or towing fees.

The transponder chip (which has its name derived from the words «transmitter + responder») has been a standard feature in automobiles since the mid-1990s. This technology was designed to combat the rising number of car thefts. A car transponder transmits the secret code through a signal. When the key is inserted in the ignition the antenna will ring around it and reads the signal. If the signal is in line with the password, the engine will begin. This is important as most thieves simply wire the vehicle before driving away.

Transponder chips work on the same principle as the microchips found in computers and cell phones. They do not require constant power. Instead, they transmit a low-frequency electromagnetic signal that can be identified by special receivers in the ignition key's cylinder, or on the head itself.

We recommend visiting your local locksmith if you require the spare key for a car equipped with a transponder. Many locksmiths have a tool that can program new keys to match the make and model of the vehicle you own. This is a fantastic alternative to going to the dealership.

It is also important to know that some stores such as AutoZone offer a key programming service. They usually charge more than professional locksmiths. They achieve this because they profit from a «scaling effect» that occurs when the number of units sold rises. They can then pass the savings to the consumers.

Keys with Electronics

Modern keys have chips or transponders which are linked to the car when the key is inserted into the ignition. They are more expensive to replace than traditional keys as they require programming, which must be performed by an auto locksmith or dealership. This procedure can cost up to $500 for an entirely new key, reprogramming of the immobilizer, and possibly, labor costs.

The best way to cut down on the expense of replacing your car keys is to not need them in the first place. It is important to have an extra car key in the event that the original key is lost. You can purchase a cheap duplicate key from an hardware store or box store for between $25 to $50, based on the kind of key.

Many people are unaware that they can purchase replacement keys from the manufacturer online at a reduced price. The advantage of buying an original key is that it will come with the proper transponder chip. This is essential since you won't be able to use an aftermarket key unless it has been professionally programmed.

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

If you plan to buy a key for a low price online, make sure that it's not programmed to another vehicle. You can do this by looking at the key blade to find a chip or for an open cutout that has evidence of the previous key.

A key duplication device can be bought, but it is not a viable option for the majority of people. The cost of the machine is higher than keys that are blank, so you'll have to cut a lot of keys in order to break even. If you're not happy with this, a vice and hand file are a more affordable alternative. This is not the safest option because it can harm the electronic components of the key or break the key in the lock.

Keys with Key Fobs

Modern cars come with remote controls that can lock and unlock the car, and even start the motor. These are small remote transmitters which communicate with the onboard computer of your vehicle using radio waves. These are a great convenience for drivers but can be expensive to duplicate or replace if they are lost.

Key fobs are more expensive than standard keys because they contain sophisticated electronics. Fobs also require programming to work with your vehicle and can add cost.

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 buy it on the internet. Amazon, Walmart, or an auto-parts shop may have an appropriate key fob for the car model you have. Some of these fobs may need to be laser-cut by locksmiths or programmed by a local dealer, but a lot are programmable by customers easily (though some will require two current, working keys to accomplish this).

Key fobs that are standard can be replaced for less than the more sophisticated models since they do not have an embedded chip which must be reprogrammed. They can still be expensive to copy if you have damaged or lost keys and need a template to reproduce them, but they are much more affordable than the cost of replacing a complete key set from the car's dealer.

You can also lower your key cutting costs by purchasing a new shell to replace your existing key fob. Batteries Plus has a range of shells that can replace the outer plastic of your keychain and buttons, while leaving the electronics intact. These shells are an affordable solution to updating your keychain without having to make an appointment with a dealer.

Keys with Keyless Entry

The car key fob offers many advantages. They let you lock and unlock your car without having to look for your keys. This is especially useful when you're carrying heavy groceries or other items in your hands. If they have this feature they will help you open the trunk and hatch.

The downside to these types of keys is that they frequently drain the battery which makes it difficult to use for long periods of time. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, they might also be difficult to program. Fortunately, most key fobs are reprogrammable with replacements purchased from third-party suppliers like Pop-A-Lock. If you search online or in your local hardware store, you'll typically find them for less than dealer-supplied options.

If you have an ordinary key, duplicate costs are usually low and range between $10 and $15. You can also buy a replacement key at your local hardware store or box retailer store. However, replacing keys that are more modern and require specialized encoding could be costly. They are usually laser-cut and may be referred to as sidewinder keys, or high security keys. They have a thicker shank and have less grooves carved out 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 that has microchips and it is often necessary to visit a dealer in order to get the replacement code. These keys are also referred to as transponder or smart keys. They contain electronic components that need to be verified before they can be used to open doors or Car key Cutting cost start your engine. Dealers charge between $150-$300 for a key that has the key fob as well as transponder chips.

If you lose your keys for keyless entry or if the battery inside the key fob fails it could cost you to replace them. Keyless entry keys can be found in the majority of modern automobiles. They function by transmitting a message from the key fob into the car's receiver. The car locks or unlocks itself based on this signal and opens the hatch and trunk if the key is in close proximity to the receiver.