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5 Clarifications Regarding Keys Replacement For Cars
Keys Replacement For Cars

You can purchase an alternative key for a mechanical one at any hardware store. However, this key must be programmed by a locksmith or dealership.

Smart keys are more complicated and require a visit to the dealer to connect them to your car. These kinds of keys are usually expensive, but some car insurance companies cover the cost.

Mechanical Keys

You can still purchase mechanical keys for cars which you insert into an ignition lock cylinder to start your vehicle. If your car has one of these, replacing the fob and key is fairly inexpensive (if they are lost or stolen).

A locksmith can cut a basic key for you at a lower price than you would pay in a dealership. You could also have your neighbor or a friend who knows how to program transponder keys from the aftermarket (which are cheaper than keys made by the factory) cut you a spare key and program them. It is essential to have a spare because modern cars won't start when a key is not programmed with the correct chip is used.

Transponder keys look like mechanical keys, but they are actually equipped with an electronic chip in the base of their plastic form that communicates with your car's computer system. Your car will accept the code on the chip, but will not start if you choose another code.

If the spare key you have has chips it must be programmed at a dealership. You'll need an equipment that can cut the key and then program it. The machines are available at certain dealerships and it is unlikely that a locksmith have the equipment needed to make a key using transponder.

It is expensive to replace keys using remotes, especially if you require a spare. If you have only the key shank missing and an operational replacement fob, you could try reprogramming your fob by yourself. However, it can be time-consuming and complicated. If you've lost your entire key and fob however you should seek out a dealer as the best option.

Other types of car keys require more specialized skills to replace. They include flip keys and smart key. They are more complicated and typically need to be replaced at the dealership. Some key fobs feature a spring-loaded key that folds into the enclosure and opens a door or uses a proximity sensor to open and start your vehicle.

Transponder Keys

If your car was built in the past 10 years or so, you're likely to use a transponder key system. The keys have the microchip as well as a receiver that is programmed to communicate with start your vehicle.

Transponder keys can be an effective method of preventing theft, since they require two components to start the car: the transmitter in the key and the receiver attached to the immobilizer. Without both the key and the immobilizer system in place, the car won't start and it will be impossible to connect hotwire.

The key chips come with a unique serial number for your vehicle. The serial number of the key is sent to the immobilizer in the car, and then checked to be in line. If it does then the engine will begin. This security feature can only be defeated by a special device which can read the chip and match it with another car.

You'll have to find a locksmith who has the equipment to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships offer this service, however their overhead makes them more costly than an independent locksmith.

Getting a new car key with a chip inside it can be a complicated process. The key needs to be cut using a specific machine in order to have the proper tracks that can be used to program the key to your car. It requires specialized software as well as the appropriate key cutter to do the job correctly.

Most auto parts stores can duplicate some of the more basic keys for chips, but you will need to know the serial number from the original key in order to ensure that the correct information is programmed into the key. Many people make the mistake of visiting their dealer to have a chip key copied and end with a bill that is higher than what they should.

Laser-Cut Keys

Laser-cut keys, also referred to as sidewinder keys due to their distinctive winding cuts in the key shank provide an additional layer of security to your vehicle. Because it requires specialized equipment to duplicate these keys, they're a great security measure against auto theft.

Like transponder keys, they feature built-in chips that block unauthorized key copies from opening your vehicle. They also usually contain a unique code the key, which needs to be programmed for your specific vehicle to allow it to be opened and started. This additional level of security will protect your investment and prevent thieves from attempting to steal your vehicle for parts or to resell it.


Laser-cut keys differ slightly from mechanically cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves carved out on the key. They also have a larger key shaft that is an indication that it's not a regular car key. Locksmiths usually use milling machines to cut these keys. It's akin to a drill bit and it's designed to cut metal with precise angles.

These are the most secure keys you can purchase for your vehicle. They are difficult to duplicate and can only be done by cut by a certified locksmith or dealer. They're not made using traditional keys. Instead, they're constructed from a small piece of steel that is cut into a specific code at the factory, and then cut using laser. This type of key is able to endure a lot of wear and tear and is among the best options for protecting your vehicle.

Depending on the key, it can fold in the fob, or pop out by pressing the button. Keys like these are commonly used in German cars and offer an extra layer of security against car thieves. The cylinder is resistant to breaking into, making it very difficult for a thief pick or pick-lock the vehicle.

Smart Keys Keys

In contrast to the traditional single piece of carved metal, smart keys use RFID, or radio-frequency identification to connect with the car. key replacement car are equipped with a chip that has an individual code, which is encoded on each key. Whenever you unlock your car's doors or open the trunk the key sends a signal to the vehicle's computer onboard. The computer will then prompt the appropriate frequency to allow you to start your vehicle.

The chip inside the smart key comes with a variety of security features to guard it from theft. First the key emits a low-frequency signal that can't be picked up by any receiver but your vehicle. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will transmit another one that is an exclusive code that only your car can understand. This stops a cyber-savvy criminal from using an external pulse generator to "fool" the system and make the key work for other vehicles.

Certain smart keys come with specific features, like saving preferences for drivers and opening windows remotely, or the sunroof from afar, and many more. These functions can be accessed by activating the proximity sensor on the key fob by pressing a button, or, in some cases, by twisting a small piece of metal inside the key.

Most key fobs feature buttons that open the doors for themselves however some come with another method of opening them by a slot or placing the dead key near a spot on the dashboard, where it houses an inductive coil which can transfer energy. Some even come with an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade concealed in the key to enable this.

Replacing a smart key typically requires a visit the dealer, who will either have the replacement in stock or purchase it for you. The dealer will also need to program your new key to identify your vehicle. However, you can also visit a locksmith to get your replacement key fob programmed and replaced. Locksmiths may charge more than a dealer, but they'll be able to finish the job more quickly and at a lower cost.

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