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How to Cut Your Car Key Cutting Cost Losing your car keys is never an ideal idea. Fortunately, AutoZone has the technology and spare parts to replace your key without having to pay the dealership. Simply bring a working key to a participating AutoZone location and an associate will match its contours using the key cut ting machine on site. On average, this costs 20% less than buying through the dealer. Keys that have Transponder chips Modern cars come with key fobs, which provide security and convenience for car owners. These devices are not free. In certain instances, it can be quite high to replace a lost or damaged key fob. There are methods to lower the expense of these devices. It's cheaper to have a spare car key today instead of waiting until you lose the key and you are faced with paying for the visit of a locksmith or towing costs. Since the mid-1990s the transponder chip has been a vital component of most automobiles. Its name comes from “transmitter and responder”. This technology was developed in response to rising levels of car theft. Transponders in cars transmit a secret code via a signal. When the key is put in the ignition the antenna will ring around it reads the signal. If the signal matches the password, then the engine will begin. This is an important thing because the majority of thieves simply use hot wires to start it and then leave the scene. Transponder chips operate on a similar principle to the microchips used in computers and cell phones. They don't require constant power. Instead, they send an electromagnetic signal at a low frequency which can be detected by special receivers placed in the ignition cylinder or on the key head itself. We suggest that you visit your local locksmith if you need the spare key for a vehicle with a transponder. The majority of locksmiths have a tool to make new keys for your specific vehicle model and. This is a great alternative to going to the dealership. Also, it's important to note that stores like AutoZone provide a key-programming service. However, they typically charge significantly higher than a locksmith. They do this because they can benefit from an “scaling effect” that occurs when the number units sold rises. In this way, they could pass on their costs savings to consumers. Keys with Electronics Modern keys are equipped 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, which must be done by an auto locksmith or dealership. This procedure can cost up to $500 for a new key, and reprogramming of the immobilizer and perhaps labor charges. The best way to avoid car key replacement costs is to not have them in the first place. It is crucial to have a spare car key in case the original one is lost. You can buy another key for between $25 to $50 at a hardware or box store retailer, based on the type of key. Many people are unaware that they can buy replacement keys from the manufacturer online at a discounted price. A factory key will most likely contain the correct transponder. This is essential because you won't be able to use an aftermarket key without having it professionally programmed. Most hardware stores and box stores don't have the capability to program modern car keys, so they can only provide basic key duplication services. You can bring them to a dealer or a reputable auto repair shop, or a locksmith to get them replaced. If you plan to buy a cheap key online, make sure that it's not programmed to the vehicle of someone else. You can do this by examining the key blade for chips or the cutout to see if it shows evidence of an earlier key. A key duplication machine is another option, but it won't be affordable for most people. The machine is more expensive than keys with blanks, which means you'll have to cut a lot of keys to make a profit. If you're not sure about that, a vice and hand file are a more affordable option. However, this isn't the most secure method as it may harm the electronics of the key or break the key off inside the lock. Key Fobs with Keys Modern automobiles are equipped with remote controls that can lock and unlock the car, and even start the motor. These are tiny remote transmitters that communicate with the onboard computer of your vehicle using radio waves. They are a great benefit for drivers, but they are costly to duplicate or replace in the event of loss. Key fobs are more expensive than traditional keys due to their sophisticated electronics. They also require to be programmed prior to their use with your vehicle, which could add up in cost as well. 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 reduce the cost of a replacement fob to as little as $50 by buying it online. Look for the right key fob for your car's model at Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts shop. Some of these keys may require laser cutting by locksmiths or programmed by your dealer in your area, but most can be programmed by the customer easily (though some will require two working, current keys to accomplish this). Key fobs from the standard model can be replaced for less than the more sophisticated models because they do not contain an embedded chip that needs to be reprogrammed. They can be costly to copy if you have damaged or lost keys and require a template reproduce them, but they are much more affordable than the cost of replacing the entire key set from your dealer in your vehicle. Another way to cut your costs for cutting keys is to purchase an entirely new shell for your existing key fob. Batteries Plus has a range of new shells that replace the outer plastic and buttons on your key fob, and leave the electronics inside unaltered. 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 have many advantages. They allow you to lock and unlock your vehicle without having to search for your keys, particularly when you're carrying heavy groceries or other loads in your hands. They can even assist you to open your trunk and hatch, when they've got this feature built-in. The disadvantage of these types of keys is that they frequently consume battery power and make it difficult to use them for long periods of time. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, they might also be difficult to program. Fortunately, many key fobs are reprogrammable with replacements purchased from third-party providers like Pop-A-Lock. If you search on the internet or at your local hardware store, you can often find them at 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 to buy a replacement at your local hardware store or box chain retailer. Newer keys that require specialized encoding usually cost more to replace, however. They are usually 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 need to be programmed by a specific machine at a locksmith or dealership. A key that has chip could be expensive to replace and typically requires a trip to the dealership to have the replacement coded. Keys with chips are also referred to as transponder or smart keys. They have electronics that must be validated before they are able to open doors or start engines. Dealers will charge between $150-$300 for a key that includes the key fob and the transponder chip. If you lose your keyless entry keys or if the battery in your key fob goes out, it can be costly to replace them. Keyless entry keys can be found in most modern cars. They function by transmitting a message from the key fob to an internal receiver in your car. The car locks or unlocks the car according to the signal. It will also open the trunk and hatch when the key is close to the receiver.