7 Things About Car Key Replacements You'll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing
Car Key Replacements
If it's a basic lock-and-key key or a sophisticated fob key, losing it could be costly. It's recommended to keep a spare key in your wallet.
If you do lose keys, the most affordable option is to find an auto locksmith. A dealership could be more expensive, but it's an excellent option.
Mechanical Keys
Your car keys are likely to be mechanical if you have an old vehicle that doesn't use key fobs. The standard keys are made from steel, brass or a mix of brass and nickel. Keys are cut using a key duplicator, which uses the blank key as a template and an original key on the opposite side of the machine. The original key is cut using a special cutter to create a duplicate.
Transponder Keys
Most newer cars come equipped with a transponder chip integrated into the key that is used to unlock and start the vehicle. These chips can be found in the ignition or on the key head. The transponder sends signals to the car's computer when the key is turned into the ignition. The computer examines the signal and ensures it matches the correct serial number.
This makes it nearly impossible for a stolen vehicle to start without the owner's keys. If the signal does not match the car's signal, it won't start and remain locked. This is a huge benefit to deter car thefts since it lowers the risk of someone else driving off with your vehicle.
A transponder key is more expensive than a regular metal key. The transponder is a microchip which is expensive to create and integrate into a car key. These keys are typically expensive when purchased from a car dealership.
A locksmith can offer much cheaper and more secure transponder key replacements. Beishir Lock and Security carries many of these keys and can even reprogram the chip to work with your vehicle on-the-spot at a fraction of the cost of a dealership.
When shopping around for a transponder replacement key, be sure to get multiple estimates. The final price is influenced by many factors, including the make and model of your vehicle, the additional features you can get on the key (such as a remote control key-fob) and even the location where you choose to copy it.
In the end, you need to weigh the benefits of a transponder key versus the cost and convenience. If you are concerned about safety and security, then a transponder keys might be worth the investment in the long run. A car key that isn't transponder-compatible won't allow the car to start.
Laser-Cut Keys
Although they may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, laser cut keys are actually quite common and provide an extra security measure for vehicles. These keys require specialized key cutting equipment to make and are much more difficult for thieves to duplicate or pick than traditional cut keys.
Contrary to traditional keys, which have grooves cut into one side, laser cut car keys feature slits that are tooled on both sides. This allows them to be inserted into the lock cylinder in either direction, and still operate. They are thus more durable and stronger than traditional keys.
They are also utilized as a bonus to unlock certain locks with high security. The slits are tooled to a certain depth that matches the codes of various automobile manufacturers. It is important to get the correct depth since cutting the blade incorrectly can harm the cutting machine and cause the key to not to function once it has been put into the lock.
The greater thickness and unique slits on keys made by lasers are less vulnerable to being copied or picked. Some keys contain transponder chip that is unique to your vehicle. This means that if someone copies your car key, even if it contains transponder chips, they will not be able start your vehicle.
Keys for cars cut with lasers may be more expensive however they are less expensive than buying a new one from the dealership. Additionally, locksmiths are often able to cut these keys faster than the car dealership.
Another aspect to be aware of is that the quality of a laser cut car key could make all the difference. The wrong blade can easily cause damage to the key cutting machine or lock cylinder, leaving you with a large repair bill. automotive car key replacement to purchase your laser-cut car keys from a locksmith for autos who sells keys.
Bibens Ace South Burlington has a large choice of car key replacement FOB keys for more than 250 different models and brands of vehicles. We also offer laser-cut sidewinder key. Visit us today to discover how you can save money on replacements for your car fob without having to go to a dealer!
Remote Keys
It wasn't long ago that losing your car key or losing it was not a big issue. You could contact a locksmith, get an alternate and then leave. Today's cars are more technologically advanced, and keys that go with them are more difficult to replace. They also are difficult to steal. It's now more expensive to replace a lost car key.
Depending on the type of key you have, the cost to replace it will differ. For traditional keys you can have a copy made for about $10 at a hardware store, or you can get an automotive locksmith to visit you and make one on the spot.
You'll have to take your smart key, transponder with switchblade or transponder that has remote start to the dealer to be changed. This can be quite costly and could take a while to obtain the new key from the manufacturer, which can delay your getting back on the road.
The car key may cease to function without a clear reason, just like other electronic devices. It is usually due to extreme heat or cold however it could also be caused from a bad battery or water in the keyfob following rain. If you notice that your car key isn't responding, you should consider trying to reset it first before calling an auto locksmith.
It's also important to know that your key fob can only function if it's within range of your vehicle. This is why it's important to keep your key fob with you at all times and never let it go out of your pocket unless you're certain that you'll return it quickly.
The most frequent way to lose a car key is by misplacing it or dropping it. This can sometimes result in the key breaking or get stuck in the lock. It's an ideal idea to have an extra.