Car Key Cutting – Security, Convenience, and Peace of Mind
Car key cutting is more than just shaping a piece of metal. It’s a technique that offers security and ease of mind for car owners.
Bring your current key to a participating AutoZone location and an associate will duplicate it using the appropriate key cutting method for your particular model and make. The key cutting process takes only few minutes and is cheaper than buying new car keys at the dealership.
Mechanical Keys
Mechanical keys date back to early automotive locks and are the most basic kind of car key. These keys have patterns that match the pins of the lock to open it. Mechanical keys can be copied from most hardware stores, but a professional locksmith equipped with the right tools will generally have better success making copies that are more durable and can work in your vehicle.
A professional locksmith can also be able to create laser cut keys. These keys are more secure than mechanical keys because they feature grooves on both sides. This makes it difficult to duplicate the key and, if someone uses a grinder to try to copy it, they’ll likely leave behind metal scraps which will not fit in your lock.
Transponder keys were introduced in the 1990s as an additional layer of security. They have a tiny chip in the head that communicates with your car so it knows it’s authentic keys. If the chip inside the key of your car is not compatible, your vehicle will not start. These keys are more expensive than mechanical keys and require a professional cutting and programming.
Smart keys are the newest technology in cheap car key cutting keys. They are a combination of the traditional mechanical key and a remote control. This allows you to unlock and start your car by using the key. It also allows you to do this from the distance. A mobile auto locksmith can design smart keys for your vehicle in minutes using the latest technology.
Hardware stores aren’t the best option to purchase a replacement car key cutting mechanical key for damaged or lost keys. The majority of hardware stores don’t have the equipment or highly-trained professionals to make an effective key that will work in your car. You will save money and be more secure if you delegate the creation of the key to a professional.
Laser Keys
laser key cutting near me cut keys are more expensive to make than standard key blanks, but offer an additional layer of security for your vehicle. They are cut from the middle using a laser which allows them to be inserted in the lock on either side, and work. They feature a distinct pattern and are more difficult to duplicate.
The wider shank and smaller grooves can help you identify a laser-cut key from a bladed traditional key. This makes it more difficult for thieves to steal your car as the key is more difficult to turn. Keys with this design are less likely to get caught in the lock, because they are more precise cutting.
When you insert the laser-cut keys into your lock, a distinct signal is sent to the car’s receiver. This lets the car know that it is the right key, and it can be started. If a burglar does manage to steal an unauthorized copy of your key, the vehicle’s transmitter will not recognize it and refuse to start.
Laser-cut keys have been in use in luxury cars since the 1990s. They cost more to produce than standard keys and require specialized equipment, but they do add an additional layer of security to your vehicle. If you lose yours, a professional locksmith will be able to replace it quickly and easily for reasonable cost to get car key cut.
Depending on the car you drive, you may need to include a transponder chip into the key to allow it to work. It’s not something you can do yourself, and dealers charge a lot to do it. A reliable locksmith can program your transponder, however they might not have the same expertise as the local dealer.
Transponder chips are incorporated into the keys of many newer vehicles to add an additional layer of security. These chips are registered to your vehicle’s specific ignition system and allow it to confirm that the key is authentic before allowing the engine to start. Even if a thief is capable of stealing and replicating the key, they will not be able to start the car because the engine won’t start when the code isn’t correct.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are present in nearly all vehicles built in the last 20 years. These are radio transmitters that prevent your car from being started without the correct keys. This was a significant advancement in the fight against auto theft because thieves had found a lot of ways to start vehicles by brute force (pushing the ignition switch with a flat screwdriver) and hot-wiring (bypassing the ignition system completely). The transponder chip solved all of this because it only allowed the car to start for a short period of time while also registering that there was a genuine key in the ignition.
A standard transponder key will look much like a normal metal key with a plastic top. This plastic top contains the actual transponder, which will transmit a signal to your car once the key is within close proximity. This signal contains the digital serial number that matches the original transponder in your car. If the signals are compatible, your car will allow you to operate it. This is among the most effective methods of anti-theft technology the car manufacturer has put in place since it has made car theft nearly impossible for those who do not possess a valid key.
There are several types of transponder keys that can be utilized in your vehicle, based on the model. Some of them have a traditional transponder chip that is contained inside the head of the key. Some also have a remote fob which houses the key transponder. Key fobs typically have buttons that allow you to lock/unlock the car, set an alarm, and perform other functions.
A locksmith can help you acquire an updated transponder key to your vehicle and even program it for you, if needed. The process is generally simple and involves just a few steps. The new key must be cut using a key cutter. This can be accomplished at any automotive store. The transponder keys blanks will then have to be programmed by a professional locksmith for your vehicle. The process of programming is typically fast and takes around 10 minutes.
Key Fobs
A majority of modern vehicles have the remote keyless entry system that requires fob. The key fob transmits a signal to your vehicle to unlock doors or start the engine. If equipped, it can also unlock the boot.
It’s important to note that a car key fob isn’t like the traditional metal Key Fob Cut Near Me that you may have on your keychain. It’s an intricate piece of electronic equipment that has to be properly programmed to work with your specific vehicle. Don’t try to cut your key fob by yourself. It’s best to leave cutting and programming of your key fobs to experts.
Fobs are usually small and rectangular. Some have an internal key that folds into it, similar to a switchblade. This reduces the size of the fob and allows it to be put away when not in use. There are also fobs that appear more like the regular key, but without the foldable key.
If you lose your key fob, it can be a huge trouble to obtain replacement. It may require special key cutting tools or a trip to the dealership. Often, dealers can only provide a fob that is compatible with your specific model. This is because the dealer has the technological expertise to make sure a replacement fob matches up with your car’s security system.
Fortunately, the process of getting an entirely new key fob is fairly simple if you have the right details. First, you have to know the year, make and model of your vehicle. Bring with you a spare key that is functional.
Make sure you have the required equipment: Before you attempt to program your keyfob, review the instructions supplied by the manufacturer to ensure that you have the right tools and equipment. You’ll have to enter a specific mode that may require switching the ignition off and on a certain number of times, pressing certain buttons or the combination of both. Some manufacturers may even signal entry into programming mode by making a sound or light flash.
Once you’ve collected the necessary materials, you can bring your key fob to the nearest Mister Minit store to have it cut and programmed. We’ll save you time and money as we cut your key fobs for cheaper than the dealership. We are also open longer than the dealership so you don’t need to rush off to cut your key fob and programmed.
