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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 paying a dealership's high prices. Bring a key that is working to an AutoZone store and an associate will match the contours on site with a key-cutting machine. This costs on average 20 percent less than purchasing from an agent. Keys that have Transponder chips Many modern vehicles have key fobs that offer security and convenience for the owner of the vehicle. However they come at costs. In some instances it can be high to replace a lost or damaged key fob. There are ways to cut down on the costs of these devices. It's cheaper to buy a spare key now than wait until you lose your car key and have to pay for the locksmith or towing fees. The transponder chip (which has its name derived from the words “transmitter + responder”) has been a feature of most cars since the mid 1990s. The technology was developed in response to the increasing rate of theft from cars. Transponders in cars transmit the secret code through a signal. When the key is inserted into ignition, the antenna ring around the ignition cylinder detects the signal and, if it matches with the password, the engine is started. This is important as most thieves will simply hot-wire the vehicle and drive off. Transponder chips work in a similar way to the microchips used in cell phones and computers. The distinction is that they don't need constant power to work. They emit a low frequency electromagnetic signal which can be detected by special detectors placed on the ignition cylinder and key head. If you need to have an extra car key made for a vehicle equipped with a transponder chip, we highly recommend that you visit your local locksmith. The majority of locksmiths have a tool to create new keys for your particular vehicle model and make. This is an excellent alternative to taking your car to the dealership. Also, it's important to remember that stores like AutoZone offer a key-programming option. They usually charge more than a professional locksmith. They do this because they can profit from an “scaling effect” that occurs when the number of units sold increases. In other words, they can pass on their costs savings to consumers. Keys with Electronics Modern keys come with chips or transponders which pair to the vehicle when the key is placed in the ignition. They are more expensive to replace than traditional car keys due to the fact that they require programming that can only be done by a dealership, auto locksmith or your vehicle's manufacturer. The process could cost as much as $500 for a new key, the changing of the immobilizer's programming, and possibly, labor costs. The best way to save on car 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 a cheap duplicate key at a hardware store or box store for around $25 to $50, based on the kind of key. Many people are unaware that they can buy replacement keys online or at reduced prices from the manufacturer. The advantage of purchasing a factory key is that it's likely to come with the correct transponder chip. This is important, as you won't be able to make use of an aftermarket car key unless it's been professionally programmed. The majority of box shops and hardware stores do not have the tools needed to program modern car keys They can only provide basic duplication services. You can also visit an independent locksmith, a repair shop, or dealer to have them replaced. Another thing to consider is that if you're planning on purchasing a key for a low price from an online retailer, you'll need make sure it isn't already programmed to another vehicle. You can do this by looking at the blade of the key for chips or an open cutout that has evidence of the previous key. A key duplication machine can be purchased, but it is not an option for the majority of people. why not try this out than keys that are blank, so you'll need to cut numerous keys to break even. If you're not sure about this, a vice and hand file are a more affordable option. However, it's not the most secure option as it may cause damage to the electronic components of the key or break the key off inside the lock. Keys with Key Fobs A lot of modern cars have key fobs, which are remote controls that lock and unlock your car and start the engine. These are essentially miniature remote transmitters that connect to your vehicle's onboard computer through radio waves to send commands. They are a convenience for drivers, but they can be expensive to replace or duplicate in the event that you lose one. In contrast to traditional keys, which require a reputable locksmith, automotive dealer, or other specialty service provider to design, key fobs contain sophisticated electronic components and are more expensive to make than their standard counterparts. Fobs also require programming to work with your car, which can also increase the cost. A new key and fob 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 as little as $50 by buying it online. Amazon, Walmart, or an auto parts shop might have an appropriate key fob for the car model you have. Some of these fobs may need to be laser-cut by a locksmith or programmed by a local dealer, but many can be customer-programmed easily (though some may require two working keys to do this). 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. While they can be expensive to duplicate if you need to design a template for a damaged or lost key, the cost is much lower than purchasing a brand new key from your car dealer. You can also cut down on key cutting expenses by purchasing a new shell to replace your old key fob. Batteries Plus has a range of shells that will replace the plastic exterior of your keychain and buttons, while leaving the electronics intact. These shells are a cost-effective option to updating your keychain without having to make an appointment with a dealer. Keys for Keyless Entry Car key fobs come with numerous advantages. They let you lock and unlock your car without having to find your keys, especially if you're carrying heavy groceries or other items in your hands. They can even help you open your trunk and hatch if they have this functionality built in. The drawback to these kinds of keys is that they often consume battery power, making it hard to use them for long periods of time. Additionally, they can be difficult to program, based on the vehicle's model and make. Fortunately, most key fobs can be replaced using replacements from third-party vendors like Pop-A-Lock. If you look online or in your local hardware store, you'll often find them at a much lower price than the dealer-supplied options. If you have a standard key, duplication costs are usually low, and can vary between $10 and $15. You may also be able to buy an alternative 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, and are sometimes referred to as sidewinder or high-security keys. These keys have a thicker blade and have fewer grooves on its shank. They need to be programmed by a specific machine found in a locksmith dealership. It can be expensive to replace a key with a microchip and it is often necessary to visit the dealer to have the replacement coded. These are commonly called transponder or smart keys and they come with electronic components which must be validated by your vehicle before it can open doors or start the engine. Dealers will charge between $150 and $300 for a key that has the key fob and a transponder chip. If you lose your keyless entry keys or if the battery inside your key fob goes out it could cost you to replace them. These keys are found in most modern cars. They function by sending messages from the key fob into the car's receiver. The car then locks or unlocks based on this signal and opens the hatch and trunk if the key is within close proximity to the receiver.