How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost
It's never a good thing to lose your car keys. Luckily, AutoZone has the technology and the parts to replace your keys without having to pay the dealership.
Bring a working key to an AutoZone store and an associate will match the contours of the site using a key-cutting machine. It's about 20% less than buying from a dealer.
Keys with Transponder chips
Modern cars are equipped with key fobs, which provide convenience and security to car owners. They are not free. In certain instances it could be expensive to replace a lost or damaged key fob. There are ways to cut down on the costs of these devices. It's cheaper to buy an extra key now rather instead of waiting until you lose your car keys and need to pay a locksmith or towing charges.
Since the mid-1990s the transponder chip has been an integral part of all cars. secret info derives from "transmitter and responder". The technology was created to stop the increasing number of car thefts. Essentially, a car transponder chip transmits signals that contain a secret password. When the key is placed in the ignition, the antenna ring around it reads the signal. If the signal matches the password, the engine will start. This is important because most thieves simply wire the vehicle and drive away.
Transponder chips work on a similar principle to the microchips used in cell phones and computers. The difference is that they don't require constant power to function. Instead, they emit an electromagnetic signal of low frequency that can be detected by special receivers placed in the ignition cylinder or on the key head itself.
We suggest visiting your local locksmith if you need a spare key for a vehicle with a transponder. Many locksmiths have a system to make new keys to match your vehicle model and make. This is a great alternative to visiting the dealership.
It's also important to remember that stores like AutoZone provide a key-programming service. They typically charge more than a professional locksmith. This is due to the fact that they can benefit from the "scaling" effect that occurs when the number of units sold increases. They can then pass the savings to the consumers.
Keys with Electronics
Modern keys are equipped with chips or transponders that are connected to the car when the key is put in the ignition. They are more expensive to replace than traditional car keys because they require programming that is only done by a dealership, auto locksmith or the manufacturer of your vehicle. The process could cost up to $500 for new keys, the changing of the immobilizer's programming, and the possibility of labor costs.
The best way to cut down on car key replacement costs is to not require them in the first place. That means having an extra key in case you lose the original. You can purchase an additional key for $25 to $50 at a hardware or box store retailer, based on the key type.
Most people don't know that they can buy replacement keys from the manufacturer online or at a discounted price. A factory key will most likely contain the correct transponder. This is essential because you won't be in a position to use an aftermarket key without having it professionally programmed.
Most hardware stores and box stores don't have the capability to program modern car keys, so they only offer basic key duplication services. You can take them to a dealer or a reputable auto repair shop, or a locksmith to get them replaced.
If you are planning to purchase a cheap key online, make sure that it's not programmed to the vehicle of someone else. This can be done by examining the key blade to find a chip or for a cutout that shows signs of an earlier key.
Purchasing a key duplication machine is an alternative, but it won't be affordable for most people. The machine costs more than blank keys, so you'll need to cut numerous keys in order to break even. If you're not at ease with a vice hand files are an alternative that is less expensive. This isn't the most secure option as it could damage the key's electronic components or even break the key inside the lock.
Keys with Key Fobs
Modern cars come with remote controls that can lock and unlock the car, and start the motor. They are basically miniature remote transmitters that communicate with the computer in your vehicle via radio waves to send commands. These are a great convenience for drivers, but they can be expensive to duplicate or replace in the event of loss.
In contrast to traditional keys, which require a reputable locksmith, dealer in automotive, or other specialty service provider to design keys, key fobs are equipped with advanced electronics, making them more expensive to produce than their basic counterparts. Fobs also need to be programmed before they work with your vehicle, which can increase the cost as well.
A new fob and key could cost as much as $300 in the event that you lose your sole functional fob. Consumer Reports claims that you can reduce the cost of an entirely new fob by as much as 50% if you buy it on the internet. Find a key fob that matches your car's model on Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts store. Some of these fobs might need to be laser-cut by a locksmith or programmed by your local dealer, but many can be programmed by the customer with relative ease (though some require two current, working keys for this).
Standard key fobs are much less expensive than more advanced models to replace as they don't contain an embedded chip that has to be reprogrammed following the fact. They are still expensive to copy if you have a lost or damaged key and require a template duplicate them, but they are much more affordable than the cost of replacing an entire key set from your car's dealer.
Another way to cut the cost of cutting keys is by simply buying a new shell for your current key fob. Batteries Plus offers a variety of new shells that replace the plastic outer and buttons on your keychain, while leaving the electronics inside unchanged. They're a cost-effective way to refresh your keychain and save you the hassle of having to schedule an appointment at the dealership.
Keys with Keyless Entry
The car key fob has many advantages. They let you lock and unlock your vehicle without having to search for your keys, particularly when you're carrying heavy groceries or other loads in your hands. If they've got this feature, they can help you open your trunk and hatch.
These keys aren't ideal for long-term use since they can drain your battery. Additionally, they can be difficult to program, based on your vehicle's model and make. Fortunately, many key fobs are reprogrammable with replacements from third-party vendors like Pop-A-Lock. If you search online or visit your local hardware store, you'll typically find them for significantly less than the dealer-supplied alternatives.
If you already have a standard-sized key, the cost of duplicates can be as low as $10 to $15. You can also buy an additional key from your local hardware or box retailer store. Keys that are newer and require specialized encoding usually cost more to replace, however. Keys that are laser cut, sometimes referred to as sidewinder keys or high-security keys. These keys have a thicker blade and less grooves on its shank. They must be programmed by a specific machine at a locksmith or dealership.
A key with chip could be expensive to replace and usually requires the visit to a dealership to get the replacement code. Keys with chips are also referred to as smart keys or transponder keys. They have electronics that must be validated before they can be used to open doors or start your engine. Dealers will charge between $150 and $300 for a key that has the key fob as well as a transponder chip.
If you lose the keys to your keyless entry system or if the battery inside the key fob fails it could be expensive to replace them. Many modern cars come with these keys, which function by sending a signal from your key fob to a receiver in your car. The car then locks or unlocks in accordance with this signal. It also opens the trunk and hatch if the key is close to the receiver.