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How to Cut Your Car key cutting cost (linked website)
The loss of your car keys is not an ideal idea. AutoZone provides the technology and replacement parts that you need to replace your car key without paying a dealership's high costs.
Simply bring a current working key to an AutoZone location and an associate will match the contours using the key cutting machine on site. On average, this is 20% less than purchasing through a dealer.
Keys with Transponder Chips
Many modern vehicles have key fobs that provide security and convenience to the car owner. These devices aren't free. In some instances it can be expensive to replace a damaged or lost key fob. The good news is that there are methods to lower the costs associated with these devices. It is much cheaper to get a spare car key now, rather than waiting until you lose the key and are facing the cost of a locksmith's visit or towing charges.
Since the mid-1990s the transponder chip had been an integral part of the majority of cars. Its name comes from "transmitter and responder". This technology was developed as a response to the rising rate of vehicle theft. The car transponder transmits the secret code through a signal. When the key is put in the ignition the antenna will ring around it detects the signal. If the signal matches the password, then the engine will start. This is important because most thieves will simply hot-wire the vehicle before driving off.
Transponder chips operate on the same basis as microchips in cell phones and computers. They do not require constant power. Instead, they emit an electromagnetic signal of low frequency that is detected by special receivers placed in the ignition cylinder or on the key head itself.
If you need to have an extra car key made for a car equipped with transponder chips, we highly recommend that you visit your local locksmith. Most locksmiths have a device to make new keys to match your car model and make. This is a great alternative to visiting the dealership.
It's also important to note that stores like AutoZone offer a key-programming option. However, they typically charge significantly higher than a locksmith. They do this because they can benefit from an "scaling effect" that occurs when the amount of units sold increases. In this way, they could pass on their costs savings to the consumer.
Keys with Electronics
Modern keys are equipped with transponders or chips which are linked to the car when the key is turned in the ignition. These keys are more expensive to replace than traditional keys as they require programming, which can only be performed by a dealership or auto locksmith. The process could cost as high as $500 for a new key, the reprogramming of the immobilizer, and possibly, labor costs.
The most effective method to save money on key cost is to avoid the necessity of replacing your keys in the first place. It is crucial to have a spare car key in the event that the original is lost. You can buy a duplicate key at an hardware store or box store for about $25 to $50, depending on the type of key.
Most people don't know that they can buy replacement keys from the manufacturer online or at a reduced price. The benefit of buying the factory key is that it will likely come with the proper transponder chip. This is crucial because you won't be able to use an aftermarket key without having it professionally programmed.
The majority of box shops and hardware stores do not have the tools needed to program modern car key, so they can only offer basic duplication services. You can also go to an independent locksmith, auto repair shop, or dealer to have them replaced.
Another thing to take into consideration is that if you're considering purchasing a key for a low price from an online retailer, you'll need to ensure that it's not programmed to someone else's car. This can be done by examining the blade of the key to determine if it has an embedded chip, or a cutout showing signs of an old key.
A key duplication machine may be purchased, but this is not a viable option for the majority of people. The machine is more expensive than keys with blanks, which means you'll have to cut a lot of keys to break even. If you're not happy with this, a vice or hand file are a much more affordable option. It's not the best option because it can damage the key's electronic components or even break the key in the lock.
Keys with Key Fobs
Many modern cars come with key fobs, which are remote controls to lock and unlock your vehicle and start the engine. These are basically mini remote transmitters that connect to the onboard computer of your vehicle using radio waves to send commands. They're a benefit for drivers, however they can be expensive to replace or duplicate if you lose one.
Key fobs are more expensive than traditional keys due to their sophisticated electronic components. They also need to be programmed to work with your vehicle and can add up in price.
A new key and fob can cost up to $300 in the event that you lose your sole functional fob. Consumer Reports claims that you can cut the cost of the new car key cut fob by as much as 50% if you purchase it online. Amazon, Walmart, or an auto-parts store might have an appropriate key fob for your car model. Some of these fobs might require laser cutting by locksmiths or programmed by a local dealer, but a lot can be customer-programmed with relative ease (though some require two current, working keys to do this).
Key fobs that are standard are cheaper than more advanced models to replace because they don't come with an embedded chip that needs to be reprogrammed following the fact. They can be costly 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 your car's dealer.
Another option to reduce your key cutting costs is by simply buying an entirely new shell for your current key fob. Batteries Plus has a range of shells that will replace your key fob's outer plastic and buttons, yet leave the electronics intact. They're a cost-effective way to refresh your keychain, and save you the hassle of trying to make an appointment at the dealership.
Keys with Keyless Entry
The car key fob has numerous advantages. They allow you to lock and unlock your car without having to find your keys, particularly when you're carrying heavy groceries or other weights in your hands. They can also help you open your trunk and hatch if they have this functionality built in.
The drawback to these kinds of keys is that they frequently drain the battery, making it hard to use them for a long period of time. Furthermore, they can be difficult to program, depending on the vehicle's make and model. Key fobs are often replaced with new ones from third-party providers like Pop-A-Lock. If you search online or visit your local hardware store, you can typically find them for significantly less than the dealer-supplied options.
If you own an ordinary key, duplicate costs are typically very low and vary from $10 to $15. You might also be able to buy an alternative at your local hardware store or box chain store. However replacing keys that are more recent and require specialized encoding could be costly. These keys are typically laser cut, sometimes referred to as sidewinder or high-security keys. They have a thicker shank, and less carved-out grooves on the blade and they have to be programmed using a special machine found in a locksmith shop or dealer.
It is costly to replace a key using a microchip and it is usually necessary to visit a dealer in order to have the replacement coded. These keys are often referred to as transponder or smart keys and they are equipped with electronics that need to be verified by your car before it can open doors or start the engine. A dealer can charge between $150 and $300 for a new original key that includes 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 your key fob dies it could be expensive to replace the keys. Keyless entry keys can be found 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 on the signal. It also opens the hatch and trunk when the key is near the receiver.