Car Key Cutting - Security, Convenience, and Peace of Mind
Car key cutting is more than just shaping a piece of metal. It's an art form that guarantees security and convenience as well as peace of mind for vehicle owners.
Bring your current key to an AutoZone location and an associate will duplicate it using the correct key cutting method for your particular model and make. The key-cutting process takes only a few minutes and is less expensive than a replacement car key purchased from the dealership.
Mechanical Keys
Mechanical keys are the simplest type of car key and go back to the early days of automotive locks. These keys have a pattern of grooves and ridges cut into them that line up with the pins in the lock that allows you to unlock it. Mechanical keys can be copied at many hardware stores, however an experienced locksmith with the right tools will usually be more successful in making copies that are more durable and will work with your vehicle.
A professional locksmith can create laser-cut keys. These are more secure than a traditional mechanical key because they feature grooves on both sides of the key. This makes it difficult to copy the key and if someone is using a grinder to attempt to copy it they'll likely leave some metal pieces that will not fit in the lock.
In the 1990s transponder keys were created to provide an additional layer of security. These keys contain a chip in the head of the key that communicates with your car to confirm that it is genuine. If the chip inside your car's key is not matched, your vehicle will not start. These keys are more expensive than mechanical keys and require expert programming.
Smart keys are the most recent development in car keys. These are a combination of traditional mechanical keys and remote control. It allows you to unlock and start your car with the key, and lets you do it from a distance. A mobile auto locksmith can design smart keys for your car within a matter of minutes, using the latest technology.
Hardware stores are not the best place to get an alternative mechanical key for the one that has been damaged or lost. The majority of chains don't have the proper equipment or highly skilled professionals to make an authentic key that will work well in your vehicle. You will save money and be more secure if you let the design of your key to a professional.
Laser Keys
Laser cut keys are more costly to produce than standard key blanks but they provide a higher level of security for your car. Lasers are used to carve keys from the middle, allowing them to be inserted into the lock on either end, and work. They also have a different design and are more difficult to duplicate.
The thicker shank with less grooves will allow you to identify a laser-cut key from a bladed traditional key. This makes the key harder to turn than the standard key which makes it harder for thieves to open your car without much time and effort. The keys are less likely to be caught in the lock, since they have more precise cutting.
When you insert a laser-cut key into your lock, it sends a signal to the car's receiver that matches the unique pattern. This informs the car that it's the right key, and that it is able to be started. If a burglar does manage to get their hands on an unauthorized copy of your key, your vehicle's transmitter will not recognize it and will refuse to start.
Laser-cut keys have been in use in luxury cars since the 1990s. They are more expensive to produce than standard keys and require special equipment, but they provide an extra layer of security to your vehicle. If you lose yours a professional locksmith should be able to replace it quickly and efficiently for a reasonable price.
It is possible that you will need the transponder chip programmed into your key depending on the vehicle you own. This isn't something that you can do by yourself, and most car dealerships will charge you an expense of a few hundred dollars to complete the task for you. A good locksmith is likely to be able program your transponder on your behalf, although they may not have the same amount of experience as the dealer you are dealing with.
The majority of newer vehicles come with laser-cut keys with transponder chips that provide an extra layer of security. These chips are registered to the car's specific ignition system, allowing it to verify that the key is authentic before starting the engine. Even if someone manages to steal the key and duplicate it, they won't be able to use it to start your car since the engine will refuse to start if it doesn't have the proper code.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips can be found in almost all cars built in the past 20 years. They are basically radio transmitters that can keep your car from starting without the correct key in place. This was a major breakthrough in the fight against auto theft as thieves had discovered a variety of ways to start cars by brute force (pushing the ignition switch with a flat screwdriver) and hot-wiring (bypassing the ignition system completely). The transponder chip solved the problem since it could only allow the car to start for a short time, while also registering that there was a valid key in the ignition.
A regular transponder will look like a metal key with a top made of plastic. The plastic top houses the transponder, which will send an alert to your car whenever the key is near enough. This signal contains the digital serial number which is matched to the transponder inside your car. If the signals match then you'll be in a position to operate your vehicle. This is the best anti-theft technology a car manufacturer can implement because it makes car theft impossible for anyone with an authentic key.
There are a variety of types of transponder keys that can be used in your vehicle, depending on the model. Certain keys come with a transponder chip inside the head. Some have an accessory fob that houses the key transponder. Key fobs typically feature buttons which allow you to lock and unlock your car or set the alarm and other functions.
A locksmith can help you obtain a new transponder key for your car and can even program it for you, if necessary. This process is usually fairly easy and requires only a few steps. The new key needs to be cut with a metal key cutter. This can be accomplished at any automotive store. The transponder keys blanks will then have to be programmed by an expert locksmith for your vehicle. The procedure of programming usually takes only 10 minutes.
Key Fobs
Many modern cars use the remote keyless entry system that requires a fob. The fob is used to send the vehicle a signal to unlock the doors or start the motor. It also opens the trunk, if it is equipped.
It's important to note that the car key fob is not like the traditional metal key you might have on your keychain. It's a complicated piece of electronic equipment that must be programmed correctly to work with your vehicle. This is why you shouldn't attempt cutting your own fob. It is best to leave cutting and programming of your fobs for key fobs to professionals.
Fobs are usually small and rectangular. Some feature an internal key that folds into it, much like the switchblade. This reduces the size of the fob and allows it to be tucked away when it's not in use. You can also find fobs that look more like an ordinary key, but without the foldable key.
It can be difficult to replace your key fob when you lose it. It could require specialized tools or a trip to the dealer. Dealers typically only offer the key fob that is compatible with the model you have. This is because the dealer has the technological expertise to make sure a replacement fob matches up with the security system of your vehicle.
The process of obtaining an alternative key fob could be quite simple if have the right information. First, you have to know the year, model and year of your vehicle. Bring along a spare key that is functional.
Get the tools you need: Prior to trying to program your key fob, make sure you read the manual of the manufacturer to ensure that you have all the required tools and equipment. You will need to enter a special mode that could involve switching the ignition on and off a certain number of times, pressing certain buttons or the combination of both. Some manufacturers may even employ a flashing light or a sound to signal the entry into programming mode.
key cut place near me can take your key fob to the Mister Minit store nearest you to have it programmed and cut. We can help you save time and money by cutting your key fobs at a a much more reasonable price than the dealership. We are open earlier than the dealer, so you won't need hurry to have your key fob programmed and cut.