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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 that you need to replace your car key without having to pay dealership costs. Simply bring a working key to an AutoZone location and an associate will match its contours using a key cutting machine onsite. It's typically 20% less than buying from dealers. Keys with Transponder chips Modern cars have key fobs that provide convenience and security to car owners. However they also come with costs. In some cases, the cost of replacing the key fob that is damaged or lost can be high. There are methods to lower the expense of these devices. It's much less expensive to have a spare vehicle key made now instead of waiting until you lose the key and you are facing the cost of an appointment with a locksmith or towing fees. Since the mid-1990s, the transponder chip has been a key component of the majority of automobiles. Its name comes from “transmitter and responder”. The technology was developed as a response to the rising rate of theft from cars. The basic idea behind the car transponder chip emits a signal that contains a secret password. When the key is placed in the ignition and the antenna rings around, it detects the signal. If the signal matches the password, the engine will start. This is crucial because the majority of thieves simply wire the vehicle and drive away. Transponder chips function on the same basis as microchips found in computers and cell phones. The distinction is that they don't need constant power to work. Instead, they emit an electromagnetic signal of low frequency which can be identified by special receivers in the ignition key's cylinder or on the head itself. If you're looking to get a spare car key created for a car with a transponder chip, we highly recommend that you visit your local locksmith. Many locksmiths have a tool to program new keys for the make and model of your vehicle. This is a fantastic alternative to visiting a dealership. It's also important to remember that some shops, such as AutoZone will provide key programming services. They typically charge more than professional locksmiths. This is because they can benefit from the “scaling” effect which occurs when the number of units sold rises. auto key cutting can then pass the savings to the consumers. Keys with Electronics Modern keys are equipped with transponders or chips that are connected to the car when the key is turned in the ignition. These keys are more expensive to replace than traditional car keys because they require programming that can only be performed by a dealership, auto locksmith or the vehicle's manufacturer. This procedure can cost up to $500 for new keys, the reprogramming of the immobilizer, and possibly, labor costs. The best way to reduce the expense of replacing your car keys is to not have them in the first place. It is important to have an extra car key in the event that the original is lost. You can buy an additional key for $25-$50 at a hardware or box store shop, based on the type of key. Many people are unaware that they can buy replacement keys online at an affordable price from the manufacturer. The advantage of purchasing an original key is that it will come with the right transponder chip. This is vital, as you cannot use an aftermarket car key unless it's been professionally programmed. The majority of hardware stores and box shops do not have the technology necessary to program modern car key They can only provide basic duplication services. You can also visit an independent locksmith, auto repair shop or the dealer to have them replaced. Another thing to take into consideration is that if you're thinking of purchasing a key for a low price 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 checking the key blade to find chips or the cutout to see if it shows evidence of a previous key. Purchasing a key duplication machine is a different option however it's not affordable for the majority of people. The cost of the machine is higher than keys that are blank, so you'll need to cut many keys to break even. If you're not happy with this, a vice and hand file are a more affordable option. However, this isn't the most secure method as it could harm the electronics of the key or even cut the key off inside the lock. Keys with Key Fobs Modern automobiles are equipped with remote controls that lock and unlock the car and start the motor. These are essentially miniature remote transmitters that connect to the onboard computer of your vehicle using radio waves to send commands. They are a great benefit for drivers, but they can be costly to duplicate or replace in the event of loss. Key fobs are more expensive than conventional keys due to the fact that they are equipped with sophisticated electronic components. Key fobs must also be programmed prior to working with your vehicle, which could increase the costs as well. A new fob and key could cost as much as $300 in the event that you lose your sole functional fob. However, Consumer Reports says you can cut the cost of a replacement fob down to just $50 by buying it online. Look for a key fob for your vehicle's model on Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts store. Some of these key fobs must be programmed or laser-cut by the dealer in your area. However, many of them can be programmed by the customer. Key fobs that are standard are cheaper than the more sophisticated models to replace since they don't have an embedded chip that has to be reprogrammed following the fact. They are still expensive to copy if you have a lost or damaged key and require a template to duplicate them, but they are much cheaper than the expense of replacing a complete key set purchased from your dealer for your car. Another method to reduce the cost of cutting keys is to purchase a new case for your existing key fob. Batteries Plus offers a selection of new shells that replace the outer plastic and buttons on your key fob and leave the electronics inside unchanged. These shells are a cost-effective solution to upgrade your keychain without making an appointment with a dealer. Keys for Keyless Entry The car key fob comes with numerous advantages. They let you lock and unlock your vehicle without the need to hunt for your keys. This is especially useful when you have heavy groceries or other items in your hands. They can even help you open your hatch and trunk, if they have this functionality built in. The drawback to these kinds of keys is that they tend to drain the battery which makes it difficult to use them for long periods of time. Additionally, they are difficult to program, depending on the make and model. Fortunately, a lot of key fobs are reprogrammable with replacements purchased from third-party providers like Pop-A-Lock. These are usually available at a much lower cost than the dealer-supplied version by searching online or at your local hardware store. If you already have a standard key then the cost of duplicates can be as low as $10 to $15. You can also buy keys to replace them at your local box retailer or hardware store. Keys that are newer and require specialized encoding usually cost more to replace, however. These keys are typically laser-cut, often called sidewinder or high-security keys. They feature a more robust shank and less carved-out grooves on the blade and they must be programmed with a specific machine at the locksmith shop or dealership. It can be expensive to replace a key that has a microchip and it is usually necessary to visit a dealer in order to obtain the replacement code. Keys with chips are also referred to as smart keys or transponder keys. They have electronics that must be verified before they can open doors or start engines. A dealer will often charge between $150 and $300 for a new key that comes with the key fob and an updated transponder chip. Keys with keyless entry may also be costly to replace if you lose them or your key fob battery fails. These keys are found in the majority of modern automobiles. They function by sending a message from the key fob to an internal receiver in 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 close to the receiver.