5 Killer Quora Answers On Car Key Replacements

Car Key Replacements

Whether it's a simple lock-and-key key or a sophisticated fob key, losing one could be costly. It's recommended to keep an extra key in your wallet.

The cheapest option is to contact an auto locksmith if you lose your key. A dealership might be more expensive, but it is a good choice.

Mechanical Keys

If you own an older car that doesn't utilize key fob technology, your car keys are likely mechanical. These standard keys can be made from steel, brass or a mixture of nickel and brass. The keys are cut using the key duplicator, which uses a blank key as a template and an original key on the other side of the machine. The original key is then cut with a specially-designed cutter to create a duplicate.

Transponder Keys

Most newer cars come equipped with a transponder chip integrated into the key that can be used to unlock and start the car. The chips are located in the ignition or the key head. When the key is turned on in the ignition, the transponder sends a signal that is received by the car's computer system. The computer then analyzes the signal to verify that it matches with the correct serial number.

This makes it nearly impossible for a stolen car to be started without the owner's keys. If the signal isn't compatible, the car will not start and repairs remain locked. This is a huge advantage that helps deter car thieves as the chances of someone else attempting to start and then driving away with your car are greatly diminished.

The downside of transponder keys is that it costs more than a conventional flat metal key. The reason for this is that the transponder has a tiny microchip that is expensive to make and put into the car key. Typically, these types keys can cost hundreds of dollars purchased through the car dealership.

A locksmith can offer less expensive and more secure transponder key replacements. Beishir Lock and Security carries many of keys, and they can modify the chip to work with your car in-the-moment for a fraction of cost of a dealership.

When you are looking for a transponder key replacement, be sure to get multiple quotes. There are many factors that influence the final cost, including the model and make of your car, whether you have additional features on the key such as a remote key-fob and where you decide to go to get it copied.

In the end, you need to consider the advantages of a transponder key against the cost and convenience. If you value security and safety, then a transponder key might be worth the investment in the long term. In addition, most modern cars have an immobilizer that won't allow the car to start if a non-transponder key is used, so this is another reason to think about.

Laser-Cut Keys

While they might seem like something from an sci-fi film, laser cut keys are in fact quite common and provide an additional security measure for cars. They are created using special key cutting machines and are much harder to duplicate or pick for thieves 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 either direction and still operate it. They are therefore more durable and thicker than traditional keys.

As a bonus they can also be used to open some high-security locks. This is due to the slits being tooled into a specific depth that matches with the different car manufacturers' codes. The right depth is essential since a wrongly cut blade can damage the key cutting machine and cause the key to stop functioning shortly after it is inserted into the lock cylinder.

The greater thickness and unique slits of laser cut car keys make them less susceptible to being copied or picked. Furthermore, many of these keys have transponder chips that are unique to your car. This means that even if someone makes a copy of your car key with a transponder chip, they won't be capable of starting your car.

While these extra layers of security could make a laser cut car key more expensive than other kinds, the fact is that they're still cheaper than purchasing a replacement car key costs from your dealership. Additionally, locksmiths can often cut these keys more quickly than the car dealership.

Another aspect to be aware of is that the quality of a laser-cut car key can make all the difference. The wrong type of blade can easily harm the key cutting machine or your lock cylinder, leading to a large repair cost. This is why it's important to purchase your laser cut car key from a reliable supplier that sells keys to auto locksmiths.

Bibens Ace South Burlington offers a variety of car key FOB replacement keys for more than 250 different models and makes of vehicles, as well as laser-cut sidewinder keys. Stop by today and see how we can help save you money on car key fob replacements without the hassle of going to a dealer!

Remote Keys

In the past having lost or misplaced your car keys wasn't an issue. Get a locksmith on the phone to get a new key and leave. Today, however, cars are a lot more technologically advanced and keys can be harder to replace and more difficult for thieves to copy. This means that when you lose your car key, it can be more costly than ever to get it replaced.

The cost of replacing a key will differ according to the kind. You can purchase traditional keys for $10 at a local hardware store or hire an automotive locksmith who will come to you and make the key right there.

You'll have to take your smart key, transponder that has switchblade or transponder with remote start to the dealership to be replaced. It can be very expensive, and it may take a while to obtain the new key from the manufacturer which could delay getting back on the road.

Sometimes, just like any other electronic device, your car key will cease to function for no apparent reason. This can be due to extreme cold or heat, but can also be caused from an ineffective battery or the presence of water in the keyfob following rain. If you find that your car key isn't longer responding, it's worth trying to reset it first before calling an auto locksmith.

It's also important to remember that your key fob can only function if it's within range of the car. This is why it's crucial to keep your key fob with you at all times, and never let it go out of your pocket unless you are certain that you'll return it quickly.

The most frequent method of losing a car key is by not locating it or dropping it. In some instances this could cause it to break or be stuck in the lock, which is why it's always an ideal idea to have an extra key in your possession at all times.