Car Key Cutting - Security, Convenience, and Peace of Mind

Car key cutting is more than shaping a piece of metal. It's a skill that offers security, convenience and peace of mind for car owners.

Bring your key to an AutoZone store and a staff member will duplicate the key using the appropriate key cutting procedure for your vehicle's make and model. The key-cutting procedure takes only about a minute and is less expensive than buying new car keys at the dealership.

Mechanical Keys

Mechanical keys are the most basic type of car key and go back to the beginning of automotive locks. They are made up of grooves and ridges cut into them that align with the pin settings in the lock to unlock it. Hardware stores are able to copy mechanical keys, however a locksmith with the proper tools can create copies that are more durable and will work in your vehicle.

A professional locksmith can make laser-cut keys. They are more secure than a standard mechanical key since they have grooves on both sides of the key. This makes it harder to copy the key and if someone uses a grinder to attempt to copy it they'll likely leave behind metal scraps which will not fit in your lock.

In the 1990s, transponder keys were developed as an additional layer of security. They have an embedded chip in the head of the key that communicates with your vehicle to confirm that it is genuine. If the chip in the car's key isn't properly matched, the car will not start. These keys are more costly than mechanical keys and require expert programming.

Smart keys are the newest development in car keys. They're a mix of a mechanical key and a wireless remote control. You can unlock and start your vehicle with this key and do so via remote. A professional auto locksmith on the move can make smart keys that can be replaced for your vehicle in just a few minutes using the most advanced technology.

Hardware stores aren't the best place to get a new mechanical key to replace the one that has been damaged or lost. The majority of hardware stores do not have the necessary equipment or highly-trained professionals to create keys that work in your G28 Car Keys. You'll save money as well as be safer if you leave the design of your key to professionals.

Laser Keys

Laser cut keys cost more to produce than standard key blanks, but they provide a higher level of security for your vehicle. Lasers are used to carve keys from the middle, allowing them to be inserted into the lock at either end, and work. They have a unique design and are more difficult to duplicate.

It is possible to discern a laser-cut key from traditional bladed keys due to the wider shank with smaller grooves that have been carved. This makes it more difficult for thieves to steal your car as the key is more difficult to turn. Keys with this design are also less likely to get stuck in the lock because they have a more precise cut.

When you insert a laser-cut keys into your lock it sends a signal to your car's receiver which matches its unique pattern. This informs the car that it is the right key, and it can be used to start. If a burglar manages to get their hands on a stolen key, the car's transmitter will not be able to recognize it. It will refuse to start.

Laser-cut keys have been used in luxury vehicles since the 1990s. They are more expensive and require special equipment keys, but they do provide an additional layer of security to your vehicle. A professional locksmith can replace it quickly and efficiently at a reasonable cost should you lose it.

It is possible that you will need the transponder chip programmed in your key depending on the vehicle you own. This isn't something that you can do by yourself and most dealerships will charge you an arm and a leg to perform the program for you. A reputable locksmith can program your transponder, but they might not have the same expertise as the local dealer.

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 the car's ignition system, allowing it to verify the keys before making the motor start. Even if someone succeeds in stealing the key and duplicate it but isn't capable of using it to start your car as the engine will refuse to start when it doesn't have the correct code.

Transponder Keys

Nearly every car manufactured in the last 20 years or so will have an embedded transponder chip within it. These are radio transmitters that stop your car from being started without the correct keys. This was a significant advancement in the fight against auto theft as thieves had discovered a myriad of ways to start vehicles through brute force (pushing the ignition switch with the flat screwdriver) and hot-wiring (bypassing the ignition system completely). The transponder chip was the answer to all of this, as it only allowed the car to turn on for a short amount of time and also registered that there was a key in place.

A standard transponder can look like a metal key with a top made of plastic. The plastic top is home to the actual transponder that will send a message to your car when the key is within close proximity. The signal is comprised of an electronic serial number that is identical to the original transponder in your car. If the signals are compatible, your car will allow you to operate it. This is the most effective anti-theft technology a car manufacturer can implement since it makes car theft almost impossible for anyone who does not have a valid key.

There are a few different types of transponder keys that can be used in your vehicle, depending on the model. Certain keys come with a transponder chip inside the head. Some have a remote fob which houses the transponder of the key. Key fobs usually have buttons that allow you to lock and unlock your car and set an alarm and perform other functions.

A locksmith can assist you acquire a new transponder key for your car, and can program it for you, should you require it. This process is usually simple and requires only the following steps. The new key must be cut using a metal key cutter. This can be accomplished at any car dealership. The blank transponder keys must then be programmed by a professional locksmith for your vehicle. The process of programming is typically fast and takes around 10 minutes.

Key Fobs

A lot of modern cars come with an electronic remote keyless system that requires fob. The fob transmits the vehicle a signal to unlock the doors or start the motor. If it's equipped, it can also unlock the boot.

Be aware that a car fob is different from the traditional metal keys you've got on your keychain. It's a complex piece of electronic equipment that must be properly programmed to be compatible with the specific vehicle you have. Don't try to cut your key fob yourself. It's always best to bring your key fob to an expert to cut and program it.

Fobs are typically small and rectangular. Some have an open key that can be folded inside, much like a switchblade. This makes the fob smaller and allows it to be hidden away when not being used. There are also fobs that appear more like a regular key, without the foldable key.

If you lost your key fob, it could be a major pain to get replacement. It may require special tools or a trip to a dealership. Dealers usually only offer an item that is compatible with your model. The dealer has the technical knowledge to ensure that the replacement fob is compatible with your vehicle's safety system.

Fortunately the process of obtaining a new key fob is fairly simple if you have the correct information. First, you have to know the year, model and year of your car. Also, you should have a working spare key with you to take along.

Get the tools you need: Prior to attempting to program your key fob, make sure you read the instructions of the manufacturer to ensure you have all of the necessary tools and equipment. You'll need to enter a particular mode that might involve turning the ignition off and on at a specific number of times, triggering certain buttons or a combination of both. Some manufacturers will even signal the switch to programming mode by making a sound or flashing light.

You can take your key fob to the Mister Minit store nearest you to have it programmed and cut. We'll save your time and money since we cut your key fobs for less than the dealership. We are open later than the dealership, so you won't need hurry in order to get your keyfob programed and cut.