Key Cutting For Cars 101: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Car Key Cutting – Security, Convenience, and Peace of Mind Car key cutting is more than cutting a piece of metal. It's a technique that offers security and ease of mind for car owners. Bring your current key to an AutoZone store and an associate will duplicate the key by using the proper key cutting procedure for your vehicle's make and model. The key cutting process takes only about a minute and is less expensive than buying a new car key at the dealership. Mechanical Keys Mechanical keys date back to the early automotive locks and are the most basic kind of car key. They have a pattern of grooves and ridges carved into them that line up with the pins in a specific lock to unlock it. Mechanical keys can be copied from the majority of hardware stores, but an experienced locksmith with the right tools will usually have better success making copies that are more durable and can work with your vehicle. A professional locksmith is also able to create 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 attempts to use a grinder on the key, they'll likely leave behind a large amount of metal pieces that will not fit in your lock. In the 1990s, transponder keys were developed to provide an additional layer of security. These keys have a small chip inside the head that transmits information to your car to ensure it's a genuine key. If the chip on the key of your car is not matched, your car won't start. These keys are more costly than mechanical keys and require professional programming. Smart keys are the newest evolution in car keys. They are the result of combining a traditional mechanical key and a remote control. It allows you to unlock and start your vehicle using the key, and allows you to do this from a distance. A professional auto locksmith on the move can make replacement smart keys for your vehicle in a matter of minutes using the latest technology. Hardware stores are not the best place to get an alternative mechanical key for a lost or damaged one. Most chains do not have the proper equipment or highly skilled professionals to be able to create an excellent key that works in your vehicle. You'll save money as well as be safer if you leave the design of your key to an expert. Laser Keys Laser cut keys are more expensive than regular blanks, however they add an additional security layer to your car. Lasers are used to carve them from the middle, allowing them to be inserted into the lock at either end, and work. They also have a different pattern that is difficult to duplicate. The wider shank and less grooves will allow you to discern a laser-cut key from a traditional bladed key. This means the key is more difficult to turn than an ordinary key, making it more difficult for thieves to open your car without much time and effort. They are also less likely to get stuck in the lock since they are more precise cut. When you insert the laser-cut keys inside your lock, a unique signal is sent to the car's receiver. This signals the car that it's the correct key and allows it to start. If a criminal manages to get their hands onto an unauthorized key, the vehicle transmitter will not recognize it. It will refuse to start. Laser-cut keys have been used in luxury vehicles since the 1990s. They cost more to produce than standard keys and require special equipment, but they add an extra layer of security to your vehicle. If you lose yours a professional locksmith will be able to replace it quickly and efficiently for reasonable cost. It is possible that you will need the transponder chip installed in your key depending on the vehicle you drive. This isn't something you can do by yourself and the majority of car dealerships will charge an amount of money to do it for you. A reputable locksmith can program your transponder, however they might not have the same expertise as the local dealer. Transponder chips are found in the keys of many modern cars to provide an additional layer of security. These chips are registered with your ignition system, allowing it to verify the keys before beginning the engine. Even if a thief is capable of stealing and replicating the key, they will not be able use it to start the car because the engine will not start if the code isn't correct. Transponder Keys Most cars built in the past 20 years or therefore will have a transponder chip in it. These are essentially radio transmitters that can stop your car from starting if you don't have the proper key in place. This was a major innovation in the fight against auto theft since thieves had discovered a variety of ways to start vehicles through brute force (pushing the ignition switch using a flat screwdriver) and hot-wiring (bypassing the ignition system completely). The transponder chip was the answer to all of this because it only allowed the car to be turned on for a short period of time. It also verified that there was a key present. A normal transponder key will look much like a normal metal key with a transparent top. This plastic top houses the actual transponder that will send a signal to your car whenever the key is close enough. This signal contains the digital serial number that is identical to the original transponder in your car. If the signals match, your car will allow you to operate it. This is the best security system the car manufacturer can employ because it makes car theft impossible for anyone without an authentic key. There are several types of transponder keys which can be utilized in your vehicle, based on the model. Some keys have an embedded transponder in the head. Some have an electronic key fob that has the key transponder. Key fobs often come with buttons that allow you to lock or unlock your car or set an alarm and perform other functions. A locksmith can assist you obtain an updated transponder key to your car and can even program it for you, should you require it. This procedure is usually straightforward and involves only just a few steps. The new key must be cut using a metal key cutter. This can be done at any auto shop. Then, the blank transponder key must be programmed to your specific vehicle by a professional auto locksmith. The programming process usually takes only 10 minutes. Key Fobs Many modern cars use an electronic keyless entry system that requires a fob. The fob's key sends an electronic signal to the vehicle to unlock doors and start the engine. If equipped, it can also open the boot. It is important to keep in mind that a car key fob isn't like the traditional metal key you've got on your keychain. It's an intricate piece of electronic equipment that must be programmed correctly in order to work with your vehicle. It is not recommended to cut your key fob by yourself. It is best to leave cutting and programming of your fobs to experts. Fobs tend to be small and rectangular. Some feature a key that folds inside it, much like the switchblade. This makes the fob smaller and allows it to be tucked away when it's not being used. There are fobs without the foldable feature, that look like a regular-sized key. It can be difficult to replace your key fob when you lose it. It could require specialized tools or a visit to the dealer. Often, dealers can only provide a fob that works with your specific model. The dealer has the technical expertise to ensure that a replacement fob is compatible with your vehicle's safety system. The process of finding an alternative key fob could be relatively simple if you have the correct information. To begin, you'll need to know the year, model and year of your car. Take an extra key that works. Gather Necessary Tools: Before attempting to program your key fob, consult the manual of the manufacturer to ensure you have all the necessary tools and equipment. You'll need to enter a specific mode that could involve switching the ignition off and on at a specific number of times, triggering certain buttons or any combination of these. car key cutting prices may even employ an illuminated light or sound to signal the entry into programming mode. You can bring your key fob to the Mister Minit store nearest you to have it cut and programmed. We can save you time and money because we cut your key fobs at less than the dealership. We are open earlier than the dealer so you don't have to rush in order to have your key fob programmed and cut.