Car Key Cutting - Security, Convenience, and Peace of Mind
The art of cutting keys for cars involves more than just bending a piece metal. It's a technique that provides security and ease of mind for car owners.
Bring your current key to an AutoZone store and an associate will duplicate the key using the correct key cutting technique for your vehicle's make and model. The process of cutting keys takes just a few minutes and is much less expensive than purchasing a new car key at the dealership.
Mechanical Keys
Mechanical keys date back to the early automotive locks and are the simplest type of car keys. They have a pattern of grooves and ridges cut into them that align with the pin settings in a specific lock to unlock it. Most hardware stores can copy mechanical keys, but a locksmith with the proper tools will be able to make copies that are more durable and work in your vehicle.
A professional locksmith can also be capable of creating laser cut keys. They are more secure than mechanical keys as they have grooves on both sides. This makes it more difficult to make a copy, and if someone tries to grind the key, they will likely leave behind a lot of metal scraps which will not fit into your lock.
In the 1990s transponder keys were created to provide an additional layer of security. They have a chip in the head of the key that communicates with your car to confirm that it is legitimate. If the chip inside your car's key is not matched, your vehicle will not start. These keys are more costly than a mechanical key and require professional cutting and programming.
Smart keys are the newest advancement in car keys. They're a combination of a traditional mechanical key and a remote control. You can open and start your car with this key and do so remotely. A professional auto locksmith on the move can make smart keys that can be replaced for your vehicle in a matter of minutes using the most advanced technology.
Many people believe that they can find an alternative for their lost or damaged mechanical key from hardware stores, but this is not a safe practice. The majority of hardware stores do not have the equipment or highly-trained experts to create an effective key that will work in your vehicle. You'll save money and be more secure if you let the making of the key to a professional.
Laser Keys
Laser cut keys are more expensive than standard blanks, however, they provide an extra layer of security to your vehicle. Lasers are used to carve keys from the middle, permitting them to be put into the lock at either end and still work. They also have a different pattern and are harder to duplicate.
You can discern a laser-cut key from traditional bladed keys due to the larger shank, which has less grooves carved. This makes it harder for thieves to steal your car as the key is more difficult to turn. Keys with this design are less likely to get stuck 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 which matches its unique pattern. This informs the car that it's the right key and can be started. If a criminal manages to get their hands on a stolen key, the car's transmitter will not recognize it. It will be unable to start.
Laser-cut keys have been in use in luxury vehicles since the 1990s. They are more expensive to produce than standard keys and require specialized equipment, but they provide an extra layer of security to your vehicle. If you lose yours a professional locksmith is likely to be able replace it quickly and at an affordable price.
Depending on your car it may be necessary to have a transponder chip programmed into the key to get it to work. It's not something you can do yourself, and dealers charge a lot to do it. A reliable locksmith is likely to be able program your transponder on your behalf however they might not have the same amount of experience as the dealer you are dealing with.
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 permit it to confirm that the key is genuine before you start the engine. Even if the thief is capable of stealing and copying the key, they will not be able to start the car because the engine won't be able to start when the code isn't correct.
Transponder Keys
Most cars built in the last 20 years or so will have a transponder chip inside of it. These are radio transmitters that prevent your car from being started without the right keys. This was a significant breakthrough in the fight against car theft, as thieves had come up with a variety of ways to start cars using brute force. (Pushing the ignition switch with flat screwdrivers) and hot-wiring. (Bypassing the ignition system completely). The transponder chip was the solution to all of this, since it allowed the car to be turned on for a short period of time. It also verified that there was a key present.
A standard transponder key will appear like a regular metal key, but with a plastic top. This plastic top houses the actual transponder which sends a signal to your car whenever the key is close enough. This signal contains a digital serial number that matches the original transponder inside of your car. If the signals are compatible your car's system, it will allow you to operate it. This is the most effective anti-theft system that the car manufacturer can employ since it makes car theft almost impossible for anyone with an authentic key.
There are a variety of types of transponder keys that can be used in your vehicle, based on the model. Some keys have an embedded transponder in the head. Some have remote keys that has the key transponder. Key fobs usually have buttons that allow you to lock or unlock your car, set an alarm, and perform other functions.
A locksmith can assist you acquire a new transponder key for your car and can even program it for you, if needed. The process is typically simple and requires only just a few steps. First, the new key will need to be cut using the standard metal key cutter, which can usually be done at any automotive retailer. The transponder keys that are blank will then need to be programmed by a professional locksmith for your vehicle. The process of programming typically takes only 10 minutes.
Key Fobs
A lot of modern cars have a remote keyless entry system that requires a fob. The fob's key sends a signal to your vehicle to unlock doors or start the engine. It also opens the trunk, if it is equipped.
It is important to keep in mind that the car key fob is not like the traditional key you've got on your keychain. It's a complicated piece of electronic equipment which must be programmed correctly in order to work with your vehicle. You should never try to cut your key fob yourself. It's best to leave the cutting and programming of your fobs to experts.
Fobs are typically small and rectangular. Some have a key that can be folded inside, similar to a switchblade. This reduces the size of the fob and allows it to be tucked away when not in use. There are also fobs that look more like the regular key, but without the foldable key.
It isn't easy to replace your key fob when you lose it. It could require specialized tools or a visit to the dealer. Usually, the dealer will only offer a fob compatible with the specific model of your car. The dealer has the expertise to make sure that a replacement fob is compatible with your vehicle's safety system.
Fortunately our homepage of obtaining an entirely new key fob is fairly simple if you have the right information. First, you have to know the year, make and model of your vehicle. Take an extra 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 of the necessary tools and equipment. You will need to enter a special mode that could involve switching the ignition on and off at a specific number of times, pressing certain buttons or the combination of both. Some manufacturers might even employ a flashing light or sound to signal the start of programming mode.
You can take your key fob to the Mister Minit store nearest you to be cut and programmed. We can help you save time and money by cutting your key fobs for an affordable cost than the dealership. Most importantly, we stay open longer than the dealership, so you don't need to rush off to cut your key fob and programmed.