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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 having to pay the dealership. Simply bring a working key to a participating AutoZone location and an associate will match its contours by using the key cutting machine on site. It's about 20% less than buying from a dealer. Keys with Transponder Chips A lot of modern cars come with key fobs which provide security and ease to the car owner. These devices aren't free. In certain instances, it can be quite expensive to replace a damaged or lost key fob. There are methods to lower the expense of these devices. It's much less expensive to get a spare car key today, rather than waiting until you lose the key and are facing the cost of an appointment with a locksmith or towing charges. The transponder chip (which takes its name from the words “transmitter + responder”) has been a feature of most automobiles since the mid-1990s. This technology was designed to stop the increasing number of car thefts. A car transponder transmits the secret code through a signal. When the key is put in the ignition, the antenna ring around it reads the signal. If the signal matches the password, then the engine will start. This is important as most thieves will simply hot-wire the vehicle and then drive off. Transponder chips function in a similar way to microchips in cell phones and computers. They do not require constant power. Instead, they transmit an electromagnetic signal of low frequency which can be recognized by special receivers that are placed in the ignition cylinder or on the key head itself. We recommend visiting your local locksmith if you need the spare key for your vehicle that has a transponder. The majority of locksmiths have a tool to program new keys to the specific model and make of the vehicle you own. This is a great alternative to visiting the dealership. It's also important to know that some stores like AutoZone offer a key-programming service. However, they typically cost more than a locksmith. This is because they can take advantage of the “scaling” effect which occurs when the number of units sold increases. They can then pass on the savings to the consumers. Keys with Electronics Modern keys come with transponders or chips that are connected to the car when the key is put in the ignition. They are more expensive to replace than traditional keys because they require programming that can only be completed by a dealership auto locksmith or the vehicle's manufacturer. The process could cost as high as $500 for an entirely new key, changing of the immobilizer's programming, and possibly, labor costs. The most effective way to save on car key cost is to avoid the necessity of replacing your keys in the first place. It is important to have a spare car key in the event that the original one is lost. You can purchase another key for between $25-$50 at a hardware or box store shop, based on the type of key. Most people don't know that they can buy replacement keys from the manufacturer online at a reduced price. The advantage of buying an original key is that it will likely have the correct transponder chip. This is important since 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 equipment to program modern car keys They can only provide basic duplication services. You can also visit an independent locksmith, auto repair shop or the dealer to get 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 to ensure that it's not programmed to another vehicle. You can do this by checking the key blade to find a chip or for the cutout to see if it shows evidence of the previous key. A key duplication device can be purchased, but this is not a viable option for the majority of people. The machine is more expensive than keys that are blank, so you'll have to cut a lot of keys to break even. If you're not happy with this, a vice or hand file are a much more affordable option. This is not the safest option because it can cause damage to the electronic components of the key or even break the key in the lock. Key Fobs with Keys Many modern cars come with key fobs that are remote controls that lock and unlock your car and even start the engine. These are essentially miniature remote transmitters that communicate with the onboard computer of your vehicle using radio waves to transmit commands. They're a great convenience for drivers, however they can be costly to replace or duplicate in the event that you lose one. Unlike traditional keys, which require a reputable locksmith, automotive dealer or other specialty service provider to make keys, key fobs have sophisticated electronics and are therefore more expensive to produce than the standard keys. Fobs must also be programmed to work with your car, which can also add cost. If you lose your only working fob, it could cost you up to $300 to have a brand new original key and fob from the dealer. Consumer Reports claims that you can cut the cost of a new fob by as much as 50% if purchasing it on the internet. Look for the right key fob that matches your car's model at Amazon, Walmart or an auto-parts shop. Certain key fobs must be programmed or laser-cut by the dealer in your area. However, many of them can be programmed by the customer. Standard key fobs can be replaced for less than more advanced models due to the fact that they don't have an embedded chip which needs to be reprogrammed. They can be costly to copy if you have a lost or damaged key and need a template to duplicate them but they're much more affordable than the cost of replacing an entire key set from the car's dealer. You can also reduce your key cutting costs by purchasing a new case to replace your existing key fob. Batteries Plus offers a selection of new shells that replace the outer plastic and buttons on your key fob but leaving the inside electronics unchanged. They're an affordable way to refresh your keychain and spare you the headache of trying to make an appointment at the dealership. Keys with Keyless Entry Car key fobs come with a lot of benefits. They allow you to lock and unlock your vehicle without having to search for your keys. This is especially useful when you have large quantities of groceries or other items in your hands. If they're equipped with this feature they will assist you to open your hatch and trunk. These keys aren't ideal for long-term use since they can drain your battery. Additionally, they are difficult to program, based on the vehicle's make and model. Fortunately, many key fobs can be replaced with replacements purchased from third-party providers like Pop-A-Lock. They are often available at a lower cost than dealer-supplied options, when you search on the internet or visit the local hardware store. If you have a standard key, duplication costs are usually very low and range from $10 to $15. You can also purchase keys to replace them at your local box retailer or hardware store. However replacing mobile key cutting for cars that are more modern and require specialized encoding can be expensive. These keys are usually laser-cut and may be referred to as sidewinder keys or high-security keys. They feature a more robust shank and less carved-out grooves on the blade and must be programmed using a specific machine that is found at a dealership or locksmith shop. It can be expensive to replace a key that has microchips and it is often required to visit a dealer to get the replacement code. These are commonly called smart or transponder keys, and they come with electronic components which must be validated by your vehicle before it can open doors or start the engine. Dealers charge between $150-$300 for a key that has the key fob, as well as transponder chips. Keys with keyless entry may also be expensive to replace in the event that you lose them or your key fob battery dies. Most modern cars have keys that function by sending a signal from your key fob to a device in your car. The car locks or unlocks the car based on the signal. It will also open the hatch and trunk when the key is in close proximity to the receiver.