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 overpaying at the dealership.

Bring a working key to an AutoZone store and an associate will match the contours of the site with a key-cutting machine. This costs on average 20% less than buying from dealers.

Keys that have Transponder chips

A lot of modern cars come with key fobs that offer a level of security and ease to the car owner. These devices aren't free. In some cases the cost of replacing a key fob which has been lost or damaged could be costly. There are methods to lower the costs of these devices. It's much less expensive to have a spare car key now, rather than waiting until you lose the key and are confronted with the expense of an appointment with a locksmith or towing costs.

Since the mid-1990s, the transponder chip has been a vital component of all cars. Its name comes from "transmitter and responder". This technology was developed in response to the increasing rate of theft from cars. In essence, the chip in a car transponder transmits signals that contain the secret password. When the key is inserted into ignition, an antenna ring around the ignition cylinder detects this signal and when it matches the password, the engine starts. This is important as most thieves simply wire the vehicle and drive off.

Transponder chips operate in a similar way to microchips in computers and cell phones. They don't require constant power. Instead, they emit an electromagnetic signal of low frequency that is recognized by special receivers that are placed in the ignition key's cylinder or on the head itself.

If you require a spare car key created for a car equipped with transponder chips, we highly recommend that you visit your local locksmith. Most locksmiths will have a tool to program new keys for the make and model of the vehicle you own. This is a fantastic alternative to visiting a dealership.

It's also important to know that some stores like AutoZone provide a key-programming service. However, they often cost higher than a locksmith. They do this because they can profit from an "scaling effect" that occurs when the amount of units sold increases. In this way, they could pass on their costs savings to consumers.

Keys with Electronics

Modern keys have transponders or chips that are connected to the car when the key is put 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 the new key, and reprogramming of the immobilizer and possibly labor charges.

The best way to avoid car key replacement costs is to not need them in the first place. It is importantmitters that communicate with your vehicle's onboard computer through radio waves to transmit commands. These are great features for drivers, but they are expensive to duplicate or replace if lost.

Contrary to traditional keys that require a great locksmith, dealer in automotive, or other specialty service provider to create keys, key fobs are equipped with advanced electronics, making them more expensive to manufacture than the standard keys. Fobs also require programming to work with your vehicle and can add cost.

If you lose your sole working fob, it could cost you up to $300 to get a replacement original fob and key from the dealership made. However, Consumer Reports says you can reduce the cost of a replacement fob to just $50 if you buy it on the internet. Find the right key fob that matches your car's model on Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts shop. Certain key fobs must be programmed or laser-cut by your local dealer. However, a lot of them can be programmed by the customer.

Key fobs that are standard can be replaced for less than more sophisticated models because they do not contain an embedded chip that requires reprogramming. They can be costly to copy if you have a lost or damaged key and require a template to reproduce them however, they are more affordable than the cost of replacing an entire key set purchased from your dealer in your vehicle.

You can also cut down on cost of cutting keys by purchasing a new shell to replace your current key fob. Batteries Plus offers a variety of shells that replace your key fob's outer plastic and buttons, but leave the electronics intact. They're a cost-effective method to refresh your keychain and spare you the hassle of trying to schedule an appointment with the dealership.

Keys with Keyless Entry

Car key fobs come with a lot of benefits. They allow you to lock and unlock your car without having to look for your keys. This is especially useful when you're carrying large quantities of groceries or other items in your hands. They can also help you open your trunk and hatch, in the event that they have this feature integrated into them.

The disadvantage of these types of keys is that they frequently consume battery power, making it hard to use them for a long period of time. Additionally, they can be difficult to program, depending on your vehicle's make and model. A lot of key fobs can be replaceable with new ones purchased from third-party suppliers like Pop-A-Lock. If you search on the internet or at your local hardware store, you can 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-$15. You can also purchase a replacement key at your local hardware store or box retailer store. Newer keys that require specialized encoding usually cost more to replace, however. They are usually laser-cut and may be referred to as sidewinder keys or high-security keys. They have a larger shank and less carved-out grooves on the blade and they have to be programmed using a specific machine that is found at a locksmith shop or dealer.

A key with chips can be expensive to replace and usually requires an appointment with a dealer to get the replacement code. These keys are also referred to as transponder or smart keys. They are equipped with electronics that must be validated before they are able to open doors or start engines. A dealer can charge between $150 and $300 for a new original key that includes both the key fob as well as the transponder chip.

Keys that have keyless entry could also be expensive to replace if you lose them or your key fob battery is dead. The majority of modern cars have these keys, which function by transmitting a signal from the key fob to a receiver in your car. The car locks or unlocks the car on the signal. It will also open the trunk and hatch when the key is near the receiver.