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 and ease of mind for car owners.
Bring your current key to an AutoZone location and an associate will duplicate it using the proper key cutting method for your model and make. The process of cutting keys is just a few minutes and is cheaper than purchasing a new car key purchased from the dealership.
Mechanical Keys
Mechanical keys are the most basic type of car key and dates back to the early days of automotive locks. They have a pattern of ridges and grooves cut into them that align with the pins in a specific lock to unlock it. Mechanical keys can be copied from most hardware stores, but a professional locksmith with the right tools will usually have better success making copies that are more durable and will work in your vehicle.
A professional locksmith is also 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 copy the key and, if someone uses grinders to try to duplicate the key they’ll likely end up leaving the metal pieces that will not fit into your lock.
Transponder keys were introduced in the 90s as an additional layer of security. They have a tiny chip in their head that transmits information to your car, so it can verify that it’s genuine keys. If the chip in the key is not connected to your car, it will not start and will remain immobilised. These keys are more expensive than a mechanical key and require professional cutting and programming.
Smart keys are the newest advancement in car keys. These are a combination between a mechanical key and a wireless remote control. It allows you to unlock and start your car by using the key. It also lets you do it from an extended distance. A mobile car key cutting near me auto locksmith can create smart keys for your vehicle within a matter of minutes, using the latest technology.
Hardware stores are not the best option for a replacement mechanical key for the one that has been damaged or lost. The majority of hardware stores do not have the necessary equipment or highly-trained professionals to make keys that work in your car. It is much safer to hand over the making of your key to a professional and you’ll likely save money in the end by choosing this option.
Laser Keys
Laser cut keys are more costly to produce than standard key blanks but offer an additional layer of security for your car. Lasers are used to carve keys from the middle permitting them to be put into the lock on either end and still work. They have a distinctive design and are more difficult to duplicate.
You can discern a laser-cut key from traditional bladed keys by the larger shank, which has fewer carved grooves. This makes it more difficult for thieves to steal your car because the key is more difficult to turn. Keys with this design are also less likely to become stuck in the lock since they are more precise cut.
When you insert a Automobile Key Cutting Near Me cut with lasers into your lock, it transmits a signal to the car’s receiver that matches its unique pattern. This signals the car that it’s the correct key, and allows it to start. If a burglar does manage to steal an unauthorised copy of your key, the car’s transmitter will not be able to recognize it and will not start.
Laser-cut keys first came out in the 1990s and are used in many luxury cars. They cost more to make than regular key blanks and require specialized equipment, but they provide an additional layer of security to your vehicle. A professional locksmith can replace your key quickly and at a reasonable cost should you lose it.
Depending on the model of your car it may be necessary to include a transponder chip into the key to allow it to work. This isn’t something that you can do on your own and the majority of car dealers will charge an amount of money to do it for you. A reputable locksmith is likely to be able program your transponder on your behalf even though they may not have the same amount of experience as the dealer you are dealing with.
Transponder chips are found in the keys of a majority of newer cars to add an additional layer of security. These chips are registered to your car’s specific ignition system and permit it to verify that the key is authentic before you start the engine. Even if the person who stole it is able to steal and duplicate the key car cutting, they will not be able to use it to start the car because the engine will not start in the event that the code isn’t valid.
Transponder Keys
Almost any car built in the past 20 years or that’s why it has an embedded transponder chip within it. These are radio transmitters that prevent your car from being started without the right keys. This was a major innovation in the fight against auto theft as thieves had found a lot of ways to start vehicles with brute force (pushing the ignition switch using the flat screwdriver) 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 amount of time and also registered that there was a key inside.
A normal transponder key will appear like a normal metal key with a plastic top. This plastic top houses the transponder, which will send the signal to your car whenever the key is close enough. The signal is comprised of a digital serial number that is identical to the original transponder inside of your car. If the signals match, you will be able to operate your car. This is one of the most effective methods of anti-theft technology that manufacturers of cars have implemented as it has made car theft nearly impossible for anyone who does not have a valid keys.
There are a variety of types of transponder keys that can be utilized in your vehicle, depending on the model. Some of them have a traditional transponder chip that is contained inside the head of the key. Others have a remote key fob that includes the key transponder. The key fobs will often have buttons on them that allow you to lock or unlock your car and set the alarm and other functions.
A locksmith can assist you obtain a new transponder key for your car and can even program it for you, if needed. This process is usually fairly easy and requires only just a few steps. First, the new key needs to be cut using a regular metal key cutter, which can be done at any auto car key cutting near me retailer. The transponder keys blanks will then need to be programmed by a professional locksmith for your vehicle. The process of programming is generally very quick and only takes around 10 minutes.
Key Fobs
Many modern cars use an electronic keyless entry system that requires a fob. The fob transmits a signal from your vehicle to unlock the doors or start the motor. If equipped, it can also open the boot.
Be aware that the car fob is different from the traditional metal keys you may have on your keychain. It’s a complicated piece of electronic equipment which must be programmed correctly to work with your vehicle. That’s why you should never attempt to cut your own fob. It is best to leave cutting and programming of your fobs to professionals.
Fobs are typically small and rectangular. Some come with keys that folds inside, similar to the switchblade. This allows the fob to be smaller and tucked away when not being used. There are fobs without the foldable feature, which look like normal-sized keys.
If you lost your key fob, it could be a major hassle to find replacement. It may require special tools or a trip to the dealer. Usually, the dealer will only provide a fob that works with the specific model of your car. The dealer has the technical expertise to ensure that a replacement fob is compatible with your vehicle’s safety system.
Fortunately, the process of getting a new key fob is fairly easy if you have the right information. You will have to know your car’s year, make and model. Also, you must have a spare key to bring along.
Gather the Necessary Equipment Before you attempt to program your keyfob, check the instructions provided by the manufacturer to ensure that you have the right tools and equipment. You’ll be required to enter a specific mode, which could involve pressing certain buttons or turning off the ignition at a specific number of times or some combination of these. Some manufacturers might even employ a flashing light or a sound to signal the start of programming mode.
Once you’ve gathered the required items, you can take your key fob into your closest Mister Minit store to have it cut and programmed. We can save you time and money as we cut your key fobs at less than the dealership. Most importantly, we stay open later than the dealership, so you don’t need to rush off to get your key cut places near me fob cut and programmed.