Car Key Cutting - Security, Convenience, and Peace of Mind
Car key cutting is more than just creating a metal piece. It's an art that ensures 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 correct key cutting technique for your particular model and make. The process of cutting keys is a matter of minutes and is less expensive than purchasing a new car key purchased from the dealership.
Mechanical Keys
Mechanical keys are the simplest form of car key and go back to the early days of automobile locks. They have an arrangement that is in line with the pin settings of a lock to open it. Most hardware stores can copy mechanical keys, but locksmiths who have the right tools will be able to create copies that are more durable and can be used in your car.
A professional locksmith is also able to make keys that are laser-cut. They are more secure than mechanical keys because they have grooves on both sides. This makes it harder to duplicate the key, and if someone uses a grinder to try to do so, they'll likely leave behind metal scraps which will not fit in your lock.
In the 1990s transponder keys were invented to add another layer of security. They have a chip in the head of the key that communicates with your vehicle to let it know it is genuine. If the chip in the key is not connected to your vehicle it will not begin and will remain unresponsive. Keys that are programmed to be more expensive than mechanical keys and require expert programming.
Smart keys are the latest advancement in car keys. They're a mix of keys that are mechanical and wireless remote control. You can unlock and start your vehicle with this key and operate it via remote. A mobile professional auto locksmith can create replacement smart keys for your vehicle in just a few minutes, using the most advanced technology.
Hardware stores aren't the best place to get an alternative mechanical key for the one that has been damaged or lost. Most chains do not have the proper equipment or highly skilled professionals to make an authentic key that will work well in your vehicle. You'll save money and be more secure if you delegate the design of your key to a professional.
Laser Keys
Laser cut keys are more costly to produce than standard keys, but they provide a higher level of security for your vehicle. Lasers are used to carve keys from the middle permitting them to be put into the lock at either end, and work. They also have a unique pattern and are harder to duplicate.
The longer shank that is thicker and has less grooves will allow you to discern 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. The keys are less likely to get trapped in locks, as they have a more precise cutting.
When you insert the laser-cut key into your lock, a unique signal is sent to the receiver of your car. This signals the car that it's the correct key and it can be used to start. If a criminal manages to obtain an unauthorized copy of your key, the vehicle's transmitter will not recognize it and not start.
Laser-cut keys were first introduced in the 1990s and are now used in a variety of luxury vehicles. They are more expensive to make than regular keys and require special equipment, but they do add an additional layer of security to your vehicle. A professional locksmith can replace yours quickly and at a reasonable cost should you lose it.
You might need to have the transponder chip programmed in your key based on the car you own. You can't do this yourself, and car dealerships charge a lot for it. A reputable locksmith will be able to program your transponder for you however they might not have the same level of expertise as the dealer you are dealing with.
The majority of newer vehicles come with laser-cut keys with transponder chips to add an extra layer of security. These chips are registered to the car's specific ignition system, allowing it to confirm that the key is legitimate before you start the engine. Even if click through the next document is capable of stealing and copying the key, they will not be able use it to start the car because the engine won't start in the event that the code isn't valid.
Transponder Keys
Nearly every car manufactured in the past 20 years or that's why it has a transponder chip in it. These are radio transmitters that make sure your car isn't started without the correct keys. This was a major breakthrough in the fight against auto theft because thieves had discovered a variety of ways to start cars by brute force (pushing the ignition switch using the flat screwdriver) and hot-wiring (bypassing the ignition system completely). The transponder chip was able to solve all of that as it could only allow the car to be turned on for a short period of time, while also registering that there was a genuine key in the ignition.
A regular transponder will look like a metal key with an outer cover made of plastic. The plastic top is home to the actual transponder which will send a signal to your car whenever the key is close to. This signal contains a digital serial number that is identical to the original transponder inside of your car. If the signals are compatible the transponder, you'll be able to operate your car. This is the best anti-theft technology an automaker can put in place because it makes car theft impossible for anyone who does not have an authentic key.
There are several kinds of transponder keys that can be used in your vehicle, depending on the model. Some have a traditional transponder chip that is located in the head of the key. Some have an accessory fob that houses the transponder chip of the key. Key fobs usually include buttons that permit you to lock or unlock your car or set an alarm and perform other functions.
A locksmith can help you get you a new transponder for your vehicle and will programme it if required. The process is typically simple and involves only the following steps. First, the new key will need to be cut using an ordinary metal key cutter, which can be done in any automotive retailer. The blank transponder keys will then have to be programmed by an experienced locksmith for your vehicle. The process of programming typically takes only 10 minutes.
Key Fobs
Many modern cars 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, if equipped.
It's important to remember that the car key fob isn't like the traditional metal key you've got on your keychain. It's an intricate piece of electronic equipment which must be programmed correctly to work with your vehicle. That's why you should never attempt to cut your fob yourself. It's best to leave the cutting and programming of your fobs for key fobs to experts.
Fobs are typically small and rectangular. Some have keys that folds inside, like a switchblade. This makes the fob smaller and allows it to be hidden away when not being used. There are fobs without the foldable feature that look like a regular-sized key.
If you lose your key fob it can be a huge trouble to obtain an alternative. It could require specialized tools or a trip to a dealer. Dealers can often only provide an item that is compatible with your model. The dealer has the technical knowledge to make sure that a replacement fob is compatible with your vehicle's security system.
The process of finding the replacement key fob you need can be quite simple if have the correct information. You will be required to know the car's year, make and model. Also, you must have a spare key with you to take along.
Gather Necessary Tools: Before trying to program your key fob, consult the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that you have all the required tools and equipment. You'll have to enter a specific mode that may require turning the ignition on and off at a specific number of times, pressing certain buttons or a combination of both. Some manufacturers may even employ a flashing light or sound to signal the switch to programming mode.
Once you've gathered the required materials, you can bring your key fob into your closest Mister Minit store to have it cut and programmed. We'll save you time and money as we cut your key fobs for less than the dealership. We are open earlier than the dealer, so you won't need hurry to get your keyfob programmed and cut.