The 10 Most Scariest Things About Car Key Cutting Cost

How to Cut Your car key cutting cost [website]

It's never a good thing to lose your car key cut keys. Luckily, AutoZone has the technology and spare car key cut parts to replace your keys without having to pay the dealership.

Simply bring a current working key to an AutoZone location and an associate will match the contours by using an on-site key cutting machine. It's about 20% less than buying from dealers.

Keys with Transponder Chips

Many modern cars have key fobs which provide a level of security and ease to the car owner. However they come at costs. In some cases, the cost of replacing a key fob that is damaged or lost is high. There are methods to lower the expense of these devices. It's cheaper to get a spare car key made now, rather than waiting until you lose the key and you are facing the cost of an appointment with a locksmith or towing costs.

The transponder chip (which takes its name from the words "transmitter + responder") has been a standard feature in cars since the mid 1990s. This technology was created in response to the increasing rate of theft from cars. Transponders in cars transmit a secret code via a signal. When the key is put in the ignition the antenna will ring around it reads the signal. If the signal is in line with the password, the engine will begin. This is crucial because the majority of thieves simply wire the vehicle and drive away.

Transponder chips function on a similar basis as microchips used in cell phones and computers. They do not require constant power. Instead, they send an electromagnetic signal of low frequency that is recognized by special receivers that are placed in the ignition cylinder or on the key head itself.

If you require a spare car key made for a car equipped with transponder chips, we highly recommend that you visit your local locksmith. Many locksmiths have a tool that can program new keys to match the model and make of your car. This is an excellent alternative to visiting a dealership.

Also, it's important to remember that stores like AutoZone offer a key-programming option. However, they often cost significantly more than locksmiths. They can do this because they can benefit from an "scaling effect" that occurs when the number units sold rises. In this way, they could pass on their costs savings to the consumer.

Keys with Electronics

Modern keys come with chips or transponders which pair to the vehicle when the key is put into the ignition. These keys are more costly to replace than traditional keys due to the fact that they require programming, which can only be performed by a dealership or auto locksmith. The process could cost as high as $500 for an entirely new key, programming of the immobilizer and the possibility of labor costs.

The best way to avoid car key replacement costs is to not need them in the first place. This means having an extra key in case you lose the original. You can purchase a duplicate key for $25-$50 at a box store or hardware retailer, based on the key type.

Most people don't know that they can purchase replacement keys from the manufacturer online or at a discount. The benefit of buying the factory key is that it will come with the proper transponder chip. This is crucial, since you won't be able to make use of 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 offer only basic key duplication services. You can bring them to a dealer or an independent auto repair shop or a locksmith shop to get them replaced.

If you are planning to purchase a key for a low price online, make sure it's not programmed to the vehicle of someone else. This can be accomplished by looking at the blade of the key to see if there is a chip or a cutout that shows evidence of an old key.

A key duplication machine may be bought, but it is not a viable option for most people. The machine is more expensive than keys with blanks, which means you'll need to cut many keys to make a profit. If you're not happy with that, a vice and hand file are a much more affordable option. This is not the safest option as it could cause damage to 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 vehicle, and even start the motor. These are essentially miniature remote transmitters that communicate with the computer in your vehicle via radio waves to send commands. They are a great benefit for drivers, but they are expensive to duplicate or replace if they are lost.

Contrary to traditional keys that require a reputable locksmith, dealer in automotive, or a different specialist service provider to create keys, key fobs are equipped with sophisticated electronics and are therefore more expensive to produce than the standard keys. Key fobs must also be programmed prior to their use with your vehicle, which could add up in cost too.

A new key and fob could cost as much as $300 when you lose your only functional fob. However, Consumer Reports says you can reduce the cost of a replacement fob to only $50 by purchasing it online. Search for a key fob for 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 a local dealer, but a lot can be customer-programmed easily (though some will require two current, working keys to accomplish this).

Standard key fobs are much less expensive than more advanced models to replace because they don't come with an embedded chip that needs to be programmed after the fact. While they can be expensive to duplicate if you need to create an original template for a lost or damaged key it is lower than purchasing a brand new set of keys from your car key cutting price dealer.

Another option to reduce your key cutting costs is by simply buying a new shell for your existing key fob. Batteries Plus has a range of shells that replace the outer plastic of your keychain and buttons, but leave the electronic components intact. They're a cost-effective way to refresh your keychain and save you the headache of trying to schedule an appointment at the dealership.

Keys with Keyless Entry

Car key fobs come with many advantages. They allow you to lock and unlock your car without having to look for your keys. This is especially useful when you are carrying large quantities of groceries or other items in your hands. If they're equipped with this feature built-in they will help you open your hatch and trunk.

These keys aren't ideal for long-term use because they drain batteries. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, they may also be difficult to program. A lot of key fobs can be replaceable with new ones purchased from third-party providers like Pop-A-Lock. If you search on the internet or at your local hardware store, you will often find these for less than the dealer-supplied alternatives.

If you own an ordinary key, duplicate costs are typically very low, and can vary from $10 to $15. You might also be able to purchase a replacement at your local hardware store or box chain store. However, replacing keys that are more recent and require specialized encoding could be costly. They are typically laser-cut, and are sometimes referred to as sidewinder keys, or high security keys. These keys have a thicker blade and less grooves on the shank. They need to be programmed using a special machine in a locksmith or dealership.

A key with chips can be costly to replace and often requires an appointment with a dealer to have the replacement coded. They are also known as transponder keys or smart keys, and they are equipped with electronics that must be validated by your car before it can open doors or start the engine. Dealers can charge between $150 and $300 for a key that comes with the key fob and transponder chips.

Keys with keyless entry can also be expensive to replace in the event that you lose them or the battery of your key fob dies. Keyless entry keys can be found in most modern cars. They function by transmitting an electronic message from the key fob into a receiver within your car. The car locks or unlocks the car according to the signal. It also opens the hatch and trunk when the key is in close proximity to the receiver.