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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 need to replace your car key without having to pay dealership cost. Simply bring your current working key to a participating AutoZone location and an associate will match its contours using a key cutting machine onsite. This costs on average 20 percent less than buying from a dealer. Keys that have Transponder chips Modern cars have key fobs, which offer security and convenience to owners. However they come at a cost. In certain instances the cost of replacing a key fob which has been damaged or lost can be high. There are ways to reduce the cost of these devices. It's much less expensive to have a spare vehicle key today, rather than waiting until you lose the key and are confronted with the expense of the visit of a locksmith or towing costs. The transponder chip (which is named after the words “transmitter + responder”) has been a feature of most automobiles since the mid 1990s. This technology was designed to counter the growing number of car thefts. The basic idea behind a car transponder chip transmits signals that contain an encrypted password. When the key is inserted in the ignition the antenna will ring around it detects the signal. If the signal matches the password, the engine will start. This is an important thing since most thieves hot wire the vehicle to start it, and then leave the scene. Transponder chips work in a similar way to the microchips used in computers and cell phones. The different is that they do not need constant power to work. Instead, they transmit a low-frequency electromagnetic signal that is detected by special receivers placed in the ignition key's cylinder, or on the head itself. If you require an extra car key made for a car with a transponder chip We strongly suggest that you visit your local locksmith. Most locksmiths have a device to make new keys to match your vehicle model and make. This is an excellent alternative to visiting the dealership. It's also important to note that some stores, like AutoZone offer a key programming service. However, they often charge significantly higher than a locksmith. They can do this because they benefit from a “scaling effect” that occurs when the amount of units sold increases. They can then pass the savings to the consumers. Keys with Electronics Modern keys come with transponders or chips which pair to the vehicle whenever the key is put into the ignition. They are more expensive to replace than traditional car keys due to the fact that they require programming that can only be completed by a dealership auto locksmith or your vehicle's manufacturer. The process can cost anywhere from to $500 for a new key, as well as reprogramming the immobilizer and possibly the cost of labor. The best method to save money on key cutting costs is by avoiding the need to replace your keys in the first place. This means you should have an extra key in case you lose the original. You can purchase an additional key for $25 to $50 at a hardware or box store store, depending on the type of key. Most people don't know that they can buy replacement keys from the manufacturer online at a discount. A factory-issued key will most likely have the correct transponder. This is crucial, since you won't be able to use a car key that is aftermarket without having it professionally programmed. The majority of box shops and hardware stores do not have the equipment to program modern car key, so they can only provide basic duplication services. You can also go to a dealer, an independent auto repair shop, or a locksmith to have them replaced. Another thing to take into consideration is that if you're planning on buying a cheap key from an online retailer, you'll have to make sure it isn't already programmed to someone else's car. You can do this by looking at the key blade to find chip or a cutout that shows signs of a previous key. A key duplication device can be bought, but it 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 break even. If you're not happy with that, a vice and hand file are a more affordable alternative. However, this isn't the most secure option as it may harm the electronics of the key or even break the key inside the lock. Key Fobs with keys Modern cars come with remote controls that can lock and unlock the car and also start the motor. They are basically miniature remote transmitters that connect to your vehicle's onboard computer through radio waves to transmit commands. These are a great convenience for drivers, but they are costly to duplicate or replace in the event of loss. Key fobs are more expensive than standard keys because they contain sophisticated electronics. Key fobs must also be programmed prior to their use with your vehicle, which could increase the costs as well. If you lose your sole functioning fob, it could cost you up to $300 to have a new fob and key from the dealer. Consumer Reports claims that you can cut the cost of the new fob by up to 50% if you purchase it on the internet. Amazon, Walmart, or an auto parts shop might have a key fob that fits your car model. Some of these fobs may require laser cutting by locksmiths or programmed by a local dealer, but a lot can be customer-programmed with relative ease (though some require two current, working keys to accomplish this). Key fobs from the standard model can be replaced for a lot less than more sophisticated models since they do not have an embedded chip which requires reprogramming. While they can be expensive to duplicate in the event that you need to design templates for a damaged or lost key, the cost is much less than buying a new set of keys from your car dealer. You can also cut down on key cutting expenses by buying a new shell to replace your old key fob. Batteries Plus offers a variety of new shells that replace the plastic exterior and buttons on your keychain, while leaving the electronics inside unaltered. These shells are an affordable solution to update your keychain without having to make an appointment with a dealer. Keys with Keyless Entry Car key fobs have a lot of benefits. They allow you to lock and unlock your car without having to locate your keys, particularly when you're carrying heavy groceries or other loads in your hands. If they have this feature built-in, they can help you open your trunk and hatch. The drawback to these kinds of keys is that they tend to consume battery power, making it hard to use them for long periods of time. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, they could also be difficult to program. Fortunately, a lot of key fobs are reprogrammable with replacements from third-party vendors 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 options. If you have a standard key, duplication costs are usually low and range from $10 to $15. You may also be able to buy a replacement at your local hardware store or box chain retailer. However replacing keys that are more recent and require specialized encryption could be costly. These keys are typically laser-cut, often referred to as sidewinder keys or high-security keys. These keys have a thicker blade and less grooves on the shank. similar website must be programmed using a special machine found in a locksmith dealership. It is costly to replace a key with a microchip, and it's often required to visit a dealer in order to get the replacement code. These keys are also known as transponder or smart keys. They have electronics that must be verified before they can be used to open doors or start engines. Dealers can charge between $150-$300 for a key that comes with the key fob and a transponder chip. If you lose the keys to your keyless entry system or if the battery in the key fob fails it could cost you to replace them. Many modern cars come with these keys, which work by sending a signal from your key fob to a receiver in your car. The car locks or unlocks the car according to the signal. It also opens the hatch and trunk when the key is close to the receiver.