A How-To Guide For Key Cutting For Cars From Beginning To End

Car Key Cutting – Security, Convenience, and Peace of Mind The art of car key cutting involves more than just cutting a piece of metal. It's an art form that guarantees security and ease of mind for vehicle 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 make and model. The process of cutting keys is just a few minutes and is less expensive than buying a new car key purchased from a dealership. Mechanical Keys Mechanical keys date back to early automotive locks and are the most basic type of car key. These keys have a pattern of ridges and grooves cut into them that line up with the pin settings of the lock that allows you to open it. Most hardware stores can copy mechanical keys, however locksmiths who have the right tools will be able to create copies that are more durable and work in your car. A professional locksmith is also able to make laser-cut keys. They are more secure than mechanical keys due to the fact that they have grooves on both sides. This makes it more difficult to make a copy, and if someone tries to grind the key, they'll likely leave behind a large amount of metal scraps that will not fit in your lock. Transponder keys were introduced in the 1990s to provide an additional layer of security. They have an embedded chip in the head of the key that communicates with your car to let it know it is genuine. If the chip inside the key is not connected to your vehicle it will not be able to start and will remain immobilised. These keys are more expensive than mechanical keys and require expert programming. Smart keys are the newest advancement in car keys. These are a combination between keys that are mechanical and wireless remote control. It allows you to unlock and start your vehicle by using the key. It also allows you to do this from an extended distance. A mobile auto locksmith can make smart keys for your vehicle in minutes using the latest technology. Many people think they can get an alternative for their lost or damaged mechanical key at the hardware store but this is not a safe practice. Most hardware stores do not have the necessary equipment or highly-trained experts to create keys that work in your vehicle. You'll save money and be more secure if you delegate the creation of the key to an expert. Laser Keys Laser cut keys cost more to make 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 feature a distinct design and are more difficult to duplicate. You can tell a laser-cut key apart from traditional bladed keys by the wider shank with smaller grooves that have been carved. This makes it harder for thieves to steal your car since the key is more difficult to turn. The keys are less likely to get caught in the lock, as they have a more precise cutting. When you insert the laser-cut keys inside your lock, a unique signal is sent to the receiver of your car. This informs the car that it's the correct key and allows it to start. If a burglar gets their hands on a stolen key, the vehicle's transmitter will not register it. It will be unable to start. Laser-cut keys have been used in luxury cars since the 1990s. They are more expensive and require special equipment, but they provide an additional layer of security for your vehicle. If you lose one, a professional locksmith should be able to replace it quickly and easily for an affordable price. It is possible that you will need the transponder chip installed in your key depending on the vehicle you drive. It's not something you can do by yourself, and dealerships charge a lot to do it. A reliable 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 keys laser-cut that have transponder chips to add an extra layer of security. These chips are registered with your ignition system, allowing it to verify the key before making the motor start. 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 won't be able to start if the code isn't correct. Transponder Keys Transponder chips are found in almost all cars built in the last 20 years. These are radio transmitters which make sure your car isn't started without the right keys. This was a major advancement in the fight against car theft, since thieves had devised a variety of ways to start cars by brute force. (Pushing the ignition switch with flat screwdrivers) and hot-wiring. (Bypassing the ignition system completely). The transponder chip was able to solve the problem since it would only allow the car to turn on for a short period of time, but also verify that there was a valid key in the ignition. A normal transponder will appear like a key made of metal with the top made of plastic. The plastic top houses the actual transponder that will send the signal to your car when the key is near enough. The signal is a serial number digital that is identical to the transponder in your car. If the signals match your car's system, it will allow you to operate it. This is among the best forms of anti-theft technologies that manufacturers of cars have implemented since it has made theft of cars nearly impossible for anyone who doesn't have a valid key. Depending on the model, there are several different types of transponder key that are available. Certain keys come with an embedded transponder in the head. Some have an electronic key fob which includes the key transponder. Key fobs usually come with buttons that allow you to lock/unlock the car or set an alarm and perform other functions. A locksmith can assist you in getting you a new transponder to your vehicle and can even program it if you need to. This process is usually simple and requires only just a few steps. The first step is that the new key needs to be cut with an ordinary metal key cutter, which can usually be done at any auto retailer. The blank transponder keys will then need to be programmed by an expert locksmith for your vehicle. The process of programming is generally fast and takes around 10 minutes. Key Fobs A lot of modern cars have a remote keyless entry system that requires a fob. The key fob sends a signal from your vehicle to unlock the doors, or start the motor. It can also open the trunk, provided it's equipped. Be aware that the car fob differs from the traditional metal keys you may have on your keychain. It's a complicated piece of electronic equipment that must be programmed correctly in order to work with your vehicle. That's why you should never attempt cutting your own fob. It is always advisable to take your key fob to an expert for cutting and programming. Fobs are typically small and rectangular. Some come with an internal key that folds into it, much like a switchblade. This lets the fob become smaller and compact when not being used. You can also find fobs that resemble the regular key, but without the foldable key. If straight from the source lost your key fob, it can be a real pain to get an alternative. It may require special tools or a trip to a dealer. Often, dealers can only provide a fob that works with the specific model of your car. This is because the dealer has the technology expertise to make sure the replacement fob works with the security system of your vehicle. The process of obtaining the replacement key fob you need can be fairly simple if you have the correct information. You'll need to know your car's year, make, and model. Bring along a spare key that is functional. Gather the Necessary Equipment Before you begin to program your keyfob, review the instructions supplied by the manufacturer to ensure you have the correct 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 any combination of these. Some manufacturers might even employ a flashing light or a sound to signal the switch to programming mode. After you've gathered all the necessary items, you can take your key fob to your nearest Mister Minit store to have it cut and programmed. We can help you save time and money by cutting your key fobs for the lower cost than the dealership. We are open later than the dealership so you don't have to rush in order to get your keyfob programed and cut.