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15 Gifts For The Car Key Cutting Cost Lover In Your Life
How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost

The loss of your car keys is never an ideal idea. AutoZone provides the technology and replacement parts that you need to replace your car keys without paying dealership costs.

Simply bring a working key to a participating AutoZone location and an associate will match its contours using a key cutting machine onsite. On average, this is 20% less than going through the 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 some instances, it can be quite high to replace a lost or damaged key fob. The good news is that there are options to cut the costs associated with these devices. It's cheaper to buy a spare key now than wait until you lose your car key and have to pay for locksmith services or towing costs.

Since the mid-1990s the transponder chip has been an integral part of the majority of automobiles. Its name comes from "transmitter and responder". This technology was developed to stop the increasing number of car thefts. In essence, a car transponder chip transmits signals that contain an encrypted password. When the key is put in the ignition, the antenna ring around it reads the signal. If the signal is in line with the password, the engine will start. This is significant since most thieves use hot wires to get it started and then take off.

Transponder chips function on the same basis as microchips used in computers and cell phones. The difference is that they don't require constant power to operate. Instead, they emit a low-frequency electromagnetic signal which can be identified by special receivers in the ignition key's cylinder, or on the head itself.


If you need to have a spare car key made for a car equipped with a transponder chip, we highly recommend that you visit your local locksmith. The majority of locksmiths have a tool to create new keys for your particular vehicle model and make. This is an excellent alternative to driving to the dealership.

It's also important to note that stores such as AutoZone offer a key-programming option. They often charge much more than professional locksmiths. automotive key cutting is because they are able to take advantage of the "scaling" effect which occurs when the quantity of units sold increases. In other words, they can transfer their cost savings to consumers.

Keys with Electronics

Modern keys are equipped with transponders or chips which connect with the vehicle when the key is placed in the ignition. These keys are more expensive to replace than traditional keys because they require programming, which must be performed by an auto locksmith or a dealership. This process can cost up to $500 for a new key, reprogramming the immobilizer and possibly the cost of labor.

The best way to avoid car key replacement costs is to not need them in the first place. That means having a spare key in the event that you lose the original. You can buy an additional key for $25 to $50 at the hardware store or a box store, depending on the type of key.

Many people are unaware that they can purchase replacement keys online at a discounted price from the manufacturer. A factory key is likely to have the correct transponder. This is important since 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 equipment to program modern car keys, so they can only provide basic duplication services. You can also go to a locksmith, independent auto repair shop, or dealer to get them replaced.

If you're planning to purchase a cheap key online, make sure it hasn't been programmed for another vehicle. This can be done by looking at the key blade for chips or a cutout that shows signs of an earlier key.

A key duplication device can be purchased, but this is not a viable option for everyone. The cost of the machine is higher than keys with blanks, which means you'll need to cut numerous keys to make a profit. If you're not happy with that, a vice and hand file are a more affordable alternative. It's not the best alternative as it can damage the key's electronic components or even break the key in the lock.

Key Fobs with Keys

Many modern vehicles come with key fobs that are remote controls that allow you to lock and unlock your car and start the engine. These are basically mini remote transmitters that communicate with the onboard computer of your vehicle using radio waves to transmit commands. These are great features for drivers but can be expensive to duplicate or replace in the event of loss.

In contrast to traditional keys, which require a professional locksmith, dealer in automotive, or any other specialist service provider to design keys, key fobs are equipped with sophisticated electronics and are therefore more expensive to manufacture than their basic counterparts. Fobs also require programming to work with your vehicle, which can also add cost.

If you lose your only 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 down to as little as $50 by buying it online. Find a key fob for your car's model at Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts shop. Certain key fobs will need to be laser-cut or programmed by the local dealer. However, many of them can be programmed by the user.

Key fobs that are standard are cheaper than more advanced models to replace since they don't come with an embedded chip that requires to be programmed after the fact. While they can be expensive to duplicate in the event that you need to design an original template for a lost or damaged key, the cost is much lower than purchasing a brand new key from your car dealer.

Another way to cut your key cutting costs is to simply purchase a new shell for your current key fob. Batteries Plus has a range of new shells that replace the plastic outer and buttons on your key fob 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 with the dealership.

Keys with Keyless Entry

Car key fobs come with a lot of benefits. They let you lock and unlock your car without having to find your keys, especially when you're carrying groceries or other heavy loads in your hands. If they've got this feature they will help you open your trunk and hatch.

The downside to these types of keys is that they often consume battery power which makes it difficult to use them for a long period of time. Additionally, they are difficult to program, based on the make and model. Key fobs are often replaced with new ones from third-party vendors like Pop-A Lock. These can often be found at a lower cost than a dealer-supplied option, when you search at the internet or go to the local hardware store.

If you have an ordinary key, duplicate costs are usually very low, and can vary from $10 to $15. You can also buy keys to replace them at your local hardware store or box retailer store. However replacing keys that are more recent and require specialized encryption could be costly. They are usually laser-cut and sometimes called sidewinder keys or high-security keys. These keys have a thicker blade and less grooves on its shank. They must be programmed using a special machine at a locksmith or dealership.

It is costly to replace a key with a microchip, and it's often necessary to visit the dealer to obtain the replacement code. They are also known as smart or transponder keys, and they have electronics inside that need to be verified by your vehicle before it will open any doors or start the engine. Dealers will charge between $150-$300 for a key that comes with the key fob as well as a transponder chip.

If you lose your keyless entry keys or if the battery inside your key fob goes out it could be expensive to replace the keys. Many modern cars come with these keys, which function by sending a signal from your key fob to a receiver inside your car. The car locks or unlocks the car based on the signal. It will also open the trunk and hatch when the key is near the receiver.

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