Car Key Cutting - Security, Convenience, and Peace of Mind
The art of cutting keys for cars involves more than just cutting a piece of metal. It's a skill that provides security, convenience and peace of mind to car owners.
Bring your current key to an AutoZone location and an associate will duplicate it using the correct key cutting technique for your make and model. The key-cutting procedure takes only a few minutes and is cheaper than buying new car keys at the dealership.
Mechanical Keys
Mechanical keys are the simplest kind of car keys and date back to the beginning of automotive locks. They have a pattern of ridges and grooves cut into them that align with the pin settings in a specific lock to unlock it. Mechanical keys can be copied at the majority of hardware stores, but an experienced locksmith with the right tools will usually have greater success in creating copies that are more durable and will work inside your vehicle.
A professional locksmith is also able to create laser-cut keys. They are more secure than a standard mechanical key since they have grooves on both sides of the key. This makes it harder to duplicate and, if someone attempts to grind the key, they will likely leave behind a lot of metal pieces that won't fit into the lock.
In the 1990s, transponder keys were developed as an additional layer of security. These keys have a small chip in the head that transmits information to your car to ensure it's a genuine key. If the chip inside your car's key is not properly matched, the vehicle will not start. Keys that are programmed to be more expensive than mechanical keys and require professional programming.
Smart keys are the most recent evolution in car keys. They're a mix of a mechanical key and a wireless remote control. You can unlock and start your vehicle with this key and do so via remote. A mobile auto locksmith can create smart keys for your car in minutes using the latest technology.
Hardware stores are not the best place to get an alternative mechanical key for damaged or lost keys. The majority of chains don't have the proper equipment or highly skilled experts to make an excellent key that works in your vehicle. You'll save money and be more secure if you let the making of the key to professionals.
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 cut keys from the middle, permitting them to be put into the lock at either end, and work. They feature a distinct pattern and are more difficult to duplicate.
It is possible to tell a laser-cut key apart from bladed keys with traditional design by the wider shank with less grooves carved. This makes it harder for thieves to steal your car as the key is harder to turn. The keys are less likely to be stuck in the lock as they have a more precise cutting.
When you insert the laser-cut key inside your lock, a distinct signal is sent to the receiver of your car. This informs the car that it is the right key, and it can be started. If a burglar is able to get their hands onto an unauthorized key, the vehicle's transmitter will not be able to recognize it. It will be unable to start.
Laser-cut keys have been used in luxury vehicles since the 1990s. They are more expensive and require specialized equipment keys, but they do provide an extra layer security for your vehicle. A professional locksmith can replace yours quickly and efficiently at a reasonable cost should you lose it.
Depending on the model of your car it may be necessary to have a transponder chip programmed into the ignition to get it working. You can't do this yourself, and car dealerships charge a significant amount to do it. A reputable locksmith should be able to program your transponder on your behalf however they might not have the same level of expertise as the dealer you are dealing with.
Transponder chips are found in the keys of most newer vehicles to provide an extra layer security. These chips are registered to your vehicle's specific ignition system and allow it to check that the key is authentic before starting the engine. Even if the person who stole it is capable of stealing and copying the key, they won't be able to start the car because the engine won't start if the code isn't correct.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips are found in nearly all vehicles built in the past 20 years. These are radio transmitters that stop your car from being started without the correct keys. laser key cutting near me was a major breakthrough in the fight against auto theft because thieves had found a lot of ways to start cars with brute force (pushing the ignition switch using the flat screwdriver) and hot-wiring (bypassing the ignition system completely). The transponder chip solved all of this because it could only allow the car to turn on for a brief period of time while also registering that there was a genuine key in place.
A regular transponder will look like a key made of metal with the top made of plastic. This plastic top houses the actual transponder which sends a signal to your car whenever the key is close enough. This signal contains the digital serial number which is matched to the transponder inside your car. If the signals match, your car will allow you to operate it. This is the most effective anti-theft technology the car manufacturer can employ as it makes car theft almost impossible for anyone with a valid key.
Based on the model, there are several different types of transponder key that can be used. Some keys have an embedded transponder in the head. Some have a remote fob that contains the key transponder. Key fobs typically include buttons that permit you to lock/unlock the car or set an alarm and perform other functions.
A locksmith can help get you a new transponder for your vehicle and can even program it if needed. This procedure is usually straightforward and involves only a few simple steps. The first step is that the new key has to be cut using a regular metal key cutter, which is usually be done in any automotive store. Then, the blank transponder key will need to be programmed to your specific vehicle by an auto locksmith who is a professional. The procedure of programming usually takes about 10 minutes.
Key Fobs
Many modern vehicles have the remote keyless system which requires fob. The fob is used to send a signal from your vehicle to unlock the doors or start the motor. It also opens the trunk, provided it's equipped.
Remember that a car fob is different from the traditional metal keys that you might have on your keychain. It's an intricate piece of electronic equipment which must be programmed correctly to work with your vehicle. This is why you shouldn't attempt cutting your own fob. It is recommended to leave cutting and programming of your fobs for key fobs to professionals.
Fobs are usually small and rectangular. Some come with an internal key that folds into it, similar to the switchblade. This lets the fob become smaller and compact when not in use. There are also fobs that resemble a regular key, without the foldable key.
If you lose your key fob, it could be a major trouble to obtain replacement. It could require specialized tools or a trip to the dealer. Often, the dealer can only provide a fob that works with the specific model of your car. The dealer has the technical knowledge to ensure that a replacement fob is compatible with your vehicle's safety system.
Fortunately the process of obtaining a new key fob is fairly easy if you have the correct information. You'll need to know your car's year, make and model. Take an extra key that works.
Gather Necessary Tools: Before trying to program your key fob, make sure you read the manual of the manufacturer to ensure you have all the required tools and equipment. You'll be required to enter a specific mode, which may require pressing certain buttons and turning the ignition off or on at a specific number of times or a combination. Some manufacturers may even use a flashing light or sound to signal the entry into programming mode.
You can take your key fob to the Mister Minit store nearest you to be programmed and cut. We can save you time and money as we cut your key fobs at a lower price than the dealership. We are also open later than the dealership, so you don't need to rush off to work to get your key fob cut and programmed.