Car Key Cutting - Security, Convenience, and Peace of Mind
Car key cutting is more than cutting a piece of metal. It's an art that ensures security, convenience, and peace of mind for car owners.
Bring your existing key to an AutoZone store and a staff member will duplicate the key by using the proper key cutting procedure for your car's brand and model. The key-cutting process takes a matter of minutes and is cheaper than buying a new car key from the dealership.
Mechanical Keys
Mechanical keys are the simplest kind of car keys and go back to the beginning of automobile locks. These keys have patterns that match the pins of the lock to unlock it. Mechanical keys are available for copying at the majority of hardware stores, but an experienced locksmith with the right tools will generally have greater success in creating copies that are more durable and work with your vehicle.
A professional locksmith can also make laser-cut keys. These keys are more secure than mechanical keys as they feature grooves on both sides. This makes it more difficult to duplicate and, if someone attempts to grind the key, they'll likely leave behind a large amount of metal scraps that will not fit in your lock.
In the 1990s, transponder keys were developed to provide an additional layer of security. They have an embedded chip in the head of the key that communicates with your vehicle to inform it that it is legitimate. If the chip inside the car's key isn't compatible, your car will not start. These keys are more costly than mechanical keys and require professional programming.
Smart keys are the newest technology in car keys. They are an amalgamation of the traditional mechanical key and remote control. It allows you to unlock and start your vehicle by using the key. It also allows you to do so from the distance. A mobile auto locksmith can design smart keys for your vehicle within a matter of minutes, using the latest technology.
Hardware stores are not the best option for an alternative mechanical key for damaged or lost keys. Most chains do not have the right equipment or highly skilled professionals to make an authentic key that works in your vehicle. 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 opting for this method.
Laser Keys
Laser cut keys cost more to make than standard key blanks, but provide an additional layer of security for your car. Lasers are used to carve keys from the middle which allows them to be inserted into the lock on either end, and work. They have a unique design and are more difficult to duplicate.
You can tell a laser-cut key apart from traditional bladed keys due to the larger shank, which has less grooves carved. This makes the key more difficult to turn than the standard key which makes it harder for thieves to open your car without much time and effort. These keys are also less likely to become stuck in locks because they are more precise cut.
When you insert a laser-cut key into your lock, it sends a signal to your car's receiver that matches its unique pattern. This lets the car know it's the correct key, and allows it to start. If a burglar manages to get their hands on an unauthorised key, the vehicle's transmitter will not register it. It will not start.
Laser-cut keys have been used in luxury vehicles since the 1990s. They are more expensive to produce than standard key blanks and require specialized equipment, but they provide an extra layer of security to your vehicle. If you lose one, a professional locksmith is likely to be able replace it quickly and at reasonable cost.
Depending on your car, you may need to have a transponder chip programmed into the key to allow it to work. It's not something you can do yourself, and car dealerships charge a lot to do it. A good locksmith can program your transponder, but they might not have the same expertise as the local dealer.
Transponder chips are included in the keys of most newer cars to provide an extra layer security. These chips are registered with the car's ignition system, allowing it to verify the keys before starting the motor. Even if a thief manages to steal the key and copy it however, they will not be in a position to start your car as the engine will refuse to start in the event that it doesn't have a correct code.
Transponder Keys
Most cars built in the past 20 years or so will have a transponder chip inside of it. These are radio transmitters which stop your car from being started without the correct keys. This was a major innovation in the fight against auto theft as thieves had found a lot of methods to start cars by brute force (pushing the ignition switch with a flat screwdriver) and hot-wiring (bypassing the ignition system completely). The transponder chip solved all of that as it could only allow the car to turn on for a short time, but also verify that there was a genuine key in place.
A regular transponder key will appear like a standard metal key with a plastic top. This plastic top houses the transponder, which will send a signal to your car whenever the key is close enough. The signal is comprised of the digital serial number that is identical to the original transponder inside of your car. If the signals are compatible, you will be in a position to operate your vehicle. This is the most effective security system a car manufacturer can implement as it makes car theft almost impossible for anyone with an official key.
Based on the model, there are different kinds of transponder keys that are available. Some of them have a traditional transponder chip that is located in the head of the key. Some have a remote fob that contains the transponder chip of the key. Key fobs usually have buttons that allow you to lock or unlock your car and set an alarm and perform other functions.
A locksmith can assist you get an additional transponder key for your vehicle and even program it for you, if needed. The process is typically simple and involves only just a few steps. The first step is that the new key will need to be cut with an ordinary metal key cutter, which is usually be done at any automotive store. The transponder keys blanks will then have to be programmed by a professional locksmith for your vehicle. The programming process is usually fast and takes about 10 minutes.
Key Fobs
Many modern cars use a remote keyless entry system that requires fob. The key fob transmits an electronic signal to the vehicle to unlock doors and start the engine. If it is equipped, it will also unlock the boot.
Be aware that the car fob is different from the conventional 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. It is not recommended to cut your key fob on your own. It's best to leave the cutting and programming of your fobs to experts.
Fobs are usually small and rectangular. Some feature an internal key that folds into it, similar to the switchblade. This lets the fob be smaller and compact when not being used. You can also find fobs that resemble a regular key, without the foldable key.
It can be difficult to replace your key fob when you lose it. It may require specialized tools or a trip to a dealership. Usually, the dealer will only provide a fob that is compatible 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 security system.
Fortunately the process of obtaining a new key fob is fairly simple if you have the right details. You will be required to know the car's year, make, and model. Take along a spare key that works.
Gather the Necessary Equipment Before you begin to program your keyfob review the instructions supplied by the manufacturer to ensure you have the right tools and equipment. You'll need to enter a specific mode, which may require pressing certain buttons and turning the ignition off or on a certain number times or some combination of these. Some manufacturers might even employ an illuminated light or sound to signal the entry into programming mode.
You can take your keyfob 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 for cheaper than the dealership. automotive key cutting , we stay open later than the dealership, so you don't have to rush off to work to cut your key fob and programmed.