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How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost It's never a good idea to lose your car keys. Luckily, AutoZone has the technology and spare parts to replace your key without overpaying at the dealership. Simply bring a working key to an AutoZone location and an associate will match its contours using the key cutting machine on site. It's about 20 percent less than buying from dealers. Keys with Transponder Chips Modern cars have key fobs, which offer security and convenience to owners. These devices aren't free. In some cases, the cost of replacing the key fob that has been damaged or lost could be costly. There are ways to cut down on the expense of these devices. It's cheaper to buy an extra key today than to wait until you lose your car keys and have to pay for a locksmith or towing charges. The transponder chip (which has its name derived from the words “transmitter + responder”) has been a standard feature in cars since the mid 1990s. This technology was developed as a response to the rising rate of car theft. In essence, the car transponder chip emits signals that contain the secret password. When the key is inserted in the ignition, an antenna ring that is placed around the ignition cylinder receives this signal and when it matches the password, the engine starts. This is important as most thieves will simply hot-wire the vehicle and then drive away. Transponder chips operate on the same basis as microchips used in computers and cell phones. They don't require constant power. They emit a low frequency electromagnetic signal which can be detected by special detectors placed on the ignition cylinder as well as key head. If you need to have a spare car key made for a car with transponder chips We strongly suggest that you visit your local locksmith. Most locksmiths have a device to program new keys for your particular vehicle model and. This is a great alternative to going to the dealership. It's also important to note that some stores such as AutoZone will provide key programming services. They typically charge more than a professional locksmith. They achieve this because they take advantage of the “scaling effect” that occurs when the number units sold increases. In other words, they are able to transfer their savings to the consumer. Keys with Electronics Modern keys come with chips or transponders that are connected to the car when the key is put in the ignition. These keys are more expensive to replace than traditional keys because they require programming that is only done by a dealership, auto locksmith, or your vehicle's manufacturer. This process can cost up to $500 for a new key, the programming of the immobilizer and the possibility of labor costs. The best way to reduce car key replacement costs is to not have them in the first place. That means having a spare key in case you lose the original. You can purchase a cheap duplicate key from the hardware store or at a box store for about $25-$50, based on the type of key. Many people are unaware that they can buy replacement keys online at a discounted price from the manufacturer. The advantage of buying an original key is that it will be equipped with the correct transponder chip. This is important because you won't be able to use an aftermarket key unless it has been professionally programmed. The majority of box shops and hardware stores do not have the technology necessary to program modern car keys and therefore, they are unable to provide basic duplication services. You can bring them to a dealer or an independent auto repair shop or a locksmith to get them replaced. Another thing to think about 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 a vehicle belonging to someone else. This can be accomplished by examining the blade of the key to determine if it has a chip or a cutout that shows evidence of an old key. A key duplication machine can be purchased, but this is not an option for the majority of people. The machine costs more than keys that are blank, so you'll have to cut a lot of keys in order to break even. If you're not sure about this, a vice or hand file are a much more affordable option. This is not the safest alternative as it can damage the key's electronic components or even break the key inside the lock. Keys with Key Fobs Modern cars are equipped with remote controls that lock and unlock the car and even start the motor. These are tiny remote transmitters that communicate with the onboard computer of your vehicle via radio waves. These are great features for drivers, but they can be costly to duplicate or replace if lost. In contrast to traditional keys, which require a great locksmith, automotive dealer, or any other specialist service provider to create keys, key fobs have sophisticated electronics and are therefore more expensive to make than their basic counterparts. 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 upwards of $300 to get a replacement original fob and key from the dealership. However, Consumer Reports says you can reduce the cost of a replacement fob down to only $50 if you buy it on the internet. Look for an appropriate key fob for your vehicle's model on Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts store. Some of these key fobs must be laser-cut or programmed by the local dealer. However, many of them can be programmed by the user. Standard key fobs are much cheaper than more advanced models to replace since they don't have an embedded chip that has to be programmed after the fact. Although they can be costly to duplicate if you need to create templates for a damaged or lost key it is less than buying a new set of keys from your car dealer. Another way to cut your key cutting costs is to purchase an entirely new shell for your current key fob. Batteries Plus offers a variety of new shells that replace the plastic outer 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 the dealer. Keys with Keyless Entry Car key fobs offer many advantages. They allow you to lock and unlock your car without having to locate your keys, especially when you're carrying groceries or other heavy items in your hands. If they have this feature built in they will assist you to open your hatch and trunk. cheap key cutting of these types of keys is that they frequently consume battery power and make it difficult to use them for a long period of time. Additionally, they are difficult to program, depending on the make and model. A lot of key fobs can be repaired by purchasing new ones from third-party providers like Pop-A-Lock. If you look online or in your local hardware store, you'll typically find them for less than the dealer-supplied alternatives. If you already have a standard key then the cost of duplicates can be as low as $10-$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. They are typically laser-cut, and are sometimes referred to as sidewinder keys or high security keys. These keys have a thicker blade and less grooves on its shank. They have to be programmed by a special machine found in a locksmith dealership. A key with a chip can be quite costly to replace and often requires the visit to a dealership to have the replacement coded. Keys with chips are also referred to as smart keys or transponder keys. They are equipped with electronics that must be validated before they can open doors or start engines. Dealers charge between $150 to $300 for a key that comes with the key fob as well as the transponder chip. If you lose the keys to your keyless entry system or if the battery inside the key fob fails, it can be costly to replace the keys. Most modern cars have these keys, which work by sending a signal from your key fob to a receiver in your car. The car locks or unlocks itself in accordance with this signal. It also opens the hatch and trunk if the key is close to the receiver.