Car Key Cutting - Security, Convenience, and Peace of Mind Car key cutting is more than shaping a piece of metal. It's a technique that provides security and ease of mind for vehicle owners. Bring your current key to a participating AutoZone location and an associate will duplicate it using the correct key cutting procedure for your particular model and make. The key-cutting procedure takes only a few minutes and is less expensive than buying a new car key at the dealership. Mechanical Keys Mechanical keys date back to the early automotive locks and are the most basic type of car keys. 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 a professional locksmith equipped with the right tools will usually have greater success in creating copies that are more durable and work inside your vehicle. A professional locksmith can also be capable of making laser-cut keys. These are more secure than a standard mechanical key due to the fact that they have grooves on both sides of the key. This makes it difficult to copy the key and if someone is using a grinder to attempt to copy it they'll likely leave the metal pieces that will not fit in your lock. Transponder keys were introduced in the 90s as an extra layer of security. These keys contain an embedded chip in the head of the key that communicates with your car to let it know it is genuine. If the chip on your car's key is not matched, your car will not start. These keys are more expensive than a mechanical one and require a professional cutting and programming. Smart keys are the latest evolution in car keys. These are a combination between the mechanical key and a wireless remote control. You can unlock and start your vehicle with this key and operate it by remote. A professional auto locksmith on the move can make replacement smart keys for your vehicle in just a few minutes, using the most advanced technology. Hardware stores aren't the best option for a new mechanical key to replace damaged or lost keys. The majority of hardware stores don't have the tools or highly-trained professionals to make an effective key that will work inside your vehicle. You will save money and be more secure if you delegate the making of the key to professionals. Laser Keys Laser cut keys cost more to produce than standard key blanks, but provide an additional layer of security for your car. Lasers are used to carve them from the middle, permitting them to be put into the lock on either end, and work. They also have a different design and are more difficult to duplicate. It is possible to distinguish a key made of lasers from bladed keys with traditional design by the larger shank, which has less grooves carved. This makes it difficult for thieves to steal your car as the key is harder to turn. They are also less likely to become stuck in the lock since 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 signals the car that it's the right key and it can be used to start. If a burglar does manage to steal an unauthorised copy of your key, the vehicle's transmitter will not recognize it and refuse to start. Laser-cut keys have been used in luxury vehicles since the 1990s. 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 yours quickly and easily at a reasonable cost if you lose it. You may need to have the transponder chip programmed into your key based on the vehicle you own. You can't do this yourself, and dealers charge a significant amount to do it. A reputable locksmith will be able to program your transponder on your behalf, although they may not have the same level of expertise as your local dealer. The majority of modern cars have laser-cut keys with transponder chips to add an extra layer of security. These chips are registered with your car's ignition system, allowing it to verify the key before making the motor start. Even if a burglar succeeds in stealing the key and duplicate it but isn't capable of using it to start your car because the engine won't start in the event that it doesn't have a correct code. Transponder Keys Transponder chips can be found in nearly all vehicles built in the past 20 years. These are radio transmitters which stop your car from being started without the correct keys. This was a significant advancement in the fight against auto theft because thieves had found a lot of methods to start cars by brute force (pushing the ignition switch using the flat screwdriver) and hot-wiring (bypassing the ignition system completely). The transponder chip was a solution to all of this, because it only allowed the car to turn on for a short period of time. It also verified that there was a key inside. A normal transponder key will appear like a standard metal key with a transparent top. The plastic top houses the actual transponder which sends an alert to your car whenever the key is close enough. The signal is comprised of the digital serial number that matches the original transponder in your car. If the signals match, your car will allow you to operate it. This is the most effective anti-theft system that an automaker can put in place because it makes car theft almost impossible for anyone who does not have an authentic key. There are a variety of types of transponder keys which can be used in your vehicle, based on the model. Some of them have a traditional transponder chip that is contained in the head of the key. Some also have an accessory fob that houses the transponder chip of the key. Key fobs usually have buttons on them that allow you to lock or unlock your vehicle and set the alarm and perform other functions. A locksmith can assist you get an additional transponder key for your car and can even program it for you, if necessary. The process is generally simple and involves just a few steps. The new key needs to be cut with a metal key cutter. This can be done at any car dealership. Then, the blank transponder keys will need to be programmed for your particular vehicle by an auto locksmith who is a professional. The procedure of programming usually takes only 10 minutes. Key Fobs Many modern cars have a remote keyless system that requires fob. The fob's key sends signals to your vehicle to unlock doors and start the engine. If equipped, it can also unlock the boot. Be aware that the car fob differs from the traditional metal keys you've got on your keychain. It's a complicated piece of electronic equipment that must be programmed correctly to work with your specific vehicle. It is not recommended to cut your key fob by yourself. It's always best to take your fob to an expert to cut and program it. Fobs are usually small and rectangular. Some come with keys that fold inside it, similar to the switchblade. This lets the fob be smaller and tucked away when not in use. There are fobs that don't have the foldable feature that look like a regular-sized key. If you lose your key fob it could be a major trouble to obtain a replacement. It may require special tools or a trip to the dealer. Often, the dealer can only provide a fob that is compatible with your specific model. The dealer has the technical expertise to make sure that a replacement fob is compatible with your car's safety system. Fortunately, the process of getting an entirely new key fob is fairly easy if you have the right details. To begin, you'll need to know the year, make and model of your vehicle. Take along a spare key that is functional. Gather the Necessary Equipment Before you attempt to program your keyfob, check the instructions provided by the manufacturer to ensure you have the right tools and equipment. You will be required to enter a specific mode, which may require pressing certain buttons and turning the ignition off or on at a specific number of times or some combination of these. Some manufacturers might even employ a flashing light or sound to signal the entry into programming mode. Once you've collected the necessary items, you can take your key fob to the nearest Mister Minit store to have it cut and programmed. We can assist you in saving time and money by cutting your key fobs at a a much more reasonable price than the dealership. In addition, we are open later than the dealership, so you don't need to rush off to cut your key fob and programmed.