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10 Things We Hate About Car Key Cutting Cost
How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost

It's never a good thing to lose your car keys. AutoZone provides the technology and replacement parts you require to replace your car key without paying a dealership's high prices.

Simply bring your current working key to a participating AutoZone location and an associate will match its contours using a key cutting machine onsite. On average, this costs 20% less than going through a dealer.

Keys with Transponder Chips

Modern cars are equipped with key fobs, which offer security and convenience to owners. However they come at an expense. In some cases it can be high to replace a damaged or lost key fob. The good news is that there are options to cut the costs associated with these devices. It's cheaper to have a spare car key now instead of waiting until you lose the key and you are facing the cost of a locksmith's visit or towing charges.

The transponder chip (which is named after the words "transmitter + responder") has been in use in the majority of automobiles since the mid-1990s. The technology was created to stop the increasing number of car thefts. Transponders in cars transmit the secret code through a signal. When the key is placed in the ignition and the antenna rings around, it reads the signal. If the signal matches the password, the engine will begin. This is crucial because the majority of thieves will simply hot-wire the vehicle before driving away.

Transponder chips function in a similar way to microchips found in computers and cell phones. The different is that they do not require constant power to function. They emit a low-frequency electromagnetic signal which can be detected by special detectors that are placed on the ignition cylinder as well as key head.

If you're looking to get an extra car key made for a vehicle equipped with transponder chips, we highly recommend that you visit your local locksmith. Most locksmiths will have a device that can program new keys to match the model and make of your car. This is a great alternative to going to the dealership.

It's also important to note that some shops, such as AutoZone provide key programming services. However, they usually cost more than locksmiths. They achieve this because they benefit from an "scaling effect" that occurs when the number units sold increases. In this way, they could pass on their costs savings to consumers.

Keys with Electronics

Modern keys are equipped with transponders or chips that are connected to the car when the key is inserted into the ignition. These keys are more expensive to replace than traditional keys as they require programming, which can only be completed by a dealership or auto locksmith. This procedure can cost up to $500 for a new key, the changing of the immobilizer's programming, and possibly, labor costs.

The most effective way to save on car key cutting costs is by avoiding the necessity of replacing your keys in the first place. This means you should have an extra key in case you lose the original. You can purchase a duplicate key for $25 to $50 at a hardware or box store store, depending on the type of key.

Many people are unaware that they can purchase replacement keys from the manufacturer online at a discounted price. A factory-issued key will likely have the correct transponder. This is important because you won't be in a position to use an aftermarket 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 only offer 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.

Another thing to take into consideration is that if you're thinking of buying a key at a bargain price from an online retailer, you'll have to ensure that it's not programmed to someone else's car. This can be done by examining the blade of the key for chip or an open cutout that has evidence of a previous key.

A key duplication machine may be bought, but it isn't an option for the majority of people. The machine is more expensive than keys with blanks, which means you'll need to cut numerous keys to make a profit. If you're not at ease with a vice hand files are a more affordable alternative. It's not the best option because it can cause damage to the electronic components of the key or even break the key inside the lock.

Key Fobs with Keys

Many modern vehicles come with key fobs, which are remote controls to lock and unlock your car and even start the engine. These are small remote transmitters which communicate with the computer onboard of your vehicle through radio waves. These are great features for drivers but can be expensive to duplicate or replace in the event of loss.

Key fobs are more expensive than standard keys due to the fact that they are equipped with sophisticated electronics. Fobs also require programming to work with your car, which can also add cost.


If you lose your sole functioning fob, it could cost up to $300 to have a new original key and fob from the dealership made. Consumer Reports claims that you can cut the cost of the new fob by as much as 50% if you buy it online. Amazon, Walmart, or an auto-parts store might have a key fob that fits your car model. Some of these key fobs will need to be programmed or laser-cut by the local dealer. However, a lot of them can be programmed by the buyer.

Key fobs that are standard are cheaper than the more sophisticated models to replace because they don't have an embedded chip that needs to be reprogrammed following the fact. Although car cutting out can be costly to duplicate in the event that you need to create templates for a damaged or lost key The cost is far less than purchasing a new set of keys from a car dealer.

You can also reduce your key cutting costs by buying a new shell to replace your existing key fob. Batteries Plus has a range of shells that will replace the outer plastic of your keychain and buttons, but leave the electronic components intact. These shells are a cost-effective solution to upgrade your keychain without the need to make an appointment with the dealer.

Keys with Keyless Entry

Car key fobs offer a lot of benefits. They allow you to lock and unlock your car without the need to hunt for your keys. This is especially beneficial when you have heavy groceries or other items in your hands. If they're equipped with this feature, they can help you open your hatch and trunk.

The drawback to these kinds of keys is that they tend to consume battery power, making it hard to use for long periods of time. Additionally, they can be difficult to program, based on your vehicle's make and model. A lot of key fobs can be replaced with new ones from third-party providers like Pop-A-Lock. If you look online or visit your local hardware store, you can often find them at a much lower price than the dealer-supplied options.

If you already have a standard-sized key, the cost of duplicates can be as low as $10 to $15. You can also purchase an additional key from your local box retailer or hardware store. However replacing keys that are more recent and require specialized encryption can be expensive. These keys are typically laser-cut, and are sometimes referred to as sidewinder keys or high-security keys. They have a thicker shank and have less grooves carved out on the key's blade, and they must be programmed using a special machine found in a dealership or locksmith shop.

A key that has chip could be costly to replace and often requires an appointment with a dealer to have the replacement coded. These keys are often referred to as transponder keys or smart keys, and they have electronics inside which 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 a transponder chip.

Keys with keyless entry may be costly to replace if you lose them or your key fob battery is dead. Keyless entry keys can be found in a majority of modern vehicles. They function by transmitting a message from the key fob to a receiver within your car. The car then locks or unlocks based on this signal and opens the trunk and hatch if the key is within close proximity to the receiver.

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