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How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost It's never a good idea to lose your car keys. AutoZone offers the technology and replacement parts you need to replace your car key without having to pay dealership prices. Bring a working key to an AutoZone store and an associate will match the contours of the site with a key-cutting machine. On average, this costs 20% less than purchasing through the dealer. Keys with Transponder chips Modern cars come with key fobs, which provide security and convenience for car owners. They are not free. In some cases it could be expensive to replace a damaged or lost key fob. The good news is that there are ways to reduce the cost associated with these devices. It is cheaper to order an extra key now rather instead of waiting until you lose your car key and need to pay locksmith services or towing costs. Since the mid-1990s, the transponder chip has been an integral part of the majority of cars. Its name comes from “transmitter and responder”. The technology was developed as a response to the rising rate of theft from cars. In essence, a car transponder chip transmits a signal that contains the secret password. When the key is placed in the ignition and the antenna rings around, it and reads the signal. If the signal matches the password, then the engine will start. This is a big deal since most thieves use hot wires to start it and then leave the scene. Transponder chips work in a similar way to the microchips found in computers and cell phones. They don't require constant power. They emit a low frequency electromagnetic signal that is detected by special detectors placed on the ignition cylinder as well as the key head. We recommend visiting your local locksmith if you need an extra key for your vehicle that has a transponder. Most locksmiths have a device to program new keys for your specific car model and make. This is an excellent alternative to going to the dealership. key cut service 's also important to remember that stores such as AutoZone provide a key-programming service. However, they usually cost more than a locksmith. This is due to the fact that they are able to benefit from the “scaling” effect which occurs when the number of units sold rises. In this way, they could pass on their costs savings to consumers. Keys with Electronics Modern keys have transponders or chips which are linked to the car when the key is put in the ignition. They are more expensive to replace than traditional car keys due to the fact that they need programming that is only done by a dealership, auto locksmith or your vehicle's manufacturer. This process can cost as much as $500 for a new key, the reprogramming of the immobilizer, and possibly, labor costs. The best way to avoid the expense of replacing your car keys 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 a duplicate key at the hardware store or at a box store for about $25 to $50, based on the kind of key. Many people are unaware that they can purchase replacement keys online or at an affordable price from the manufacturer. A factory key will most likely contain the correct transponder. This is crucial, since you cannot use a car key that is aftermarket unless it's been professionally programmed. The majority of hardware and box stores don't have the technology to program modern car keys, so they only offer basic key duplication services. You can also go to an independent locksmith, a repair shop, or dealer to have them replaced. Another thing to think about is that if you're thinking of purchasing a key for a low price from an online retailer, you'll need ensure that it's not programmed to another vehicle. This can be accomplished by looking at the blade of the key to see if there is an embedded chip or a cutout that shows the signs of an old key. The purchase of a key duplication device is a different option however it's not cost-effective for the majority of people. The equipment typically costs more than the blank keys and you'll need to cut a lot of keys in order to break even. If you're not comfortable with this, a vice and hand file are a more affordable option. This is not the safest alternative as it can cause damage to the electronic components of the key or break the key in the lock. Keys with Key Fobs Modern cars come with remote controls that can lock and unlock the car and even start the motor. These are essentially miniature remote transmitters that communicate with the computer in your vehicle via radio waves to transmit commands. They are a great benefit for drivers but can be expensive to duplicate or replace in the event of loss. Contrary to traditional keys that require a professional locksmith, automotive dealer, or any other specialist service provider to create, key fobs contain sophisticated electronic components and are more expensive to produce than the standard keys. They also require to be programmed before they work with your vehicle, which can add up in costs as well. If you lose your sole functioning fob, it could cost you up to $300 to get a replacement fob and key from the dealer. However, Consumer Reports says you can reduce the cost of a replacement fob to only $50 if you buy it on the internet. Look for an appropriate key fob that matches your car's model at Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts store. Some of these fobs may require laser cutting by a locksmith or programmed by your dealer in your area, but most can be customer-programmed with relative ease (though some will require two working keys to accomplish this). Key fobs for standard keys are cheaper than more advanced models to replace as they don't come with an embedded chip that requires to be programmed after the fact. They can still be expensive to duplicate if you've damaged or lost keys and need a template to make them again, but they are much more affordable than the cost of replacing a complete key set from the car's dealer. Another method to reduce your costs for cutting keys is to simply purchase an entirely new shell for your key fob. Batteries Plus offers a variety of shells that 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 The car key fob comes with numerous advantages. They let you lock and unlock your car without having to locate your keys, especially when you're carrying heavy groceries or other loads in your hands. If they're equipped with this feature built in, they can help you open the trunk and hatch. The drawback to these kinds of keys is that they frequently consume battery power which makes it difficult to use them for long periods of time. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, they may also be difficult to program. Fortunately, most key fobs are reprogrammable with replacements purchased from third-party providers like Pop-A-Lock. If you search online or visit your local hardware store, you can often find these for less than dealer-supplied options. If you already have a standard key then duplication costs can be as low as $10 to $15. You may also be able purchase an alternative at your local hardware store or box chain retailer. Keys that require specialized encoding usually cost more to replace, however. Keys that are laser-cut, often referred to as sidewinder or high-security keys. They have a larger shank, and less carved-out grooves on the key's blade, and they must be programmed using a special machine at a dealership or locksmith shop. A key with chip could be costly to replace and often requires a trip to the dealership to have the replacement coded. These keys are often referred to as transponder keys or smart keys, and they are equipped with electronics that must be validated by your vehicle before it will open any doors or start the engine. A dealer will often charge between $150 to $300 for a brand new original key that has both the key fob and the transponder chip. If you lose the keys to your keyless entry system or if the battery in your key fob dies, it can be costly to replace them. The majority of modern cars have keys that function by sending a signal from your key fob to a device in your car. The car then locks or unlocks in accordance with this signal. It also opens the trunk and hatch if the key is within close proximity to the receiver.