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Losing your car keys can be a major hassle. You may need to call a locksmith for help, or get towed to the dealership.
Always keep a spare key on you and make sure you leave it in a safe place in case you lose yours. Getting a new key made can be expensive and time-consuming, so it’s best to prepare.
Types of Keys We Can Make
There are a number of different types of car keys on the market, and many can be difficult to understand. If you’re looking to get a spare car key made, it’s important to know what kind of key your vehicle uses so that you can find the Car key making service.
Traditional keys, found in older cars, do not contain any encoding and can be duplicated at most hardware stores or locksmiths for an affordable price. Car fobs, on the other hand, are integrated with a car’s electronic system and require specialized programming to work properly.
Transponder keys, designed to prevent car theft in the 1990s, contain a microchip embedded in the head of the key that communicates with a receiver on the vehicle’s ignition system to start the engine. These can be copied at a locksmith but will require a special rekeying process to ensure that the chip is compatible with your vehicle. Smart keys, proximity keys, and even smartphone apps are other popular methods for starting a car.
Car Key Replacement
Whether you need to replace a broken car key, or a key that got damaged in a fender bender, you can save money and time by going to an auto locksmith instead of the dealer. It’s also a lot less frustrating.
Traditional keys, found in older cars, don’t require encoding. You can get them made at a hardware store or automotive locksmith for about $10 each.
If you have a more advanced car key, like a transponder or smart key, you’ll need to go to a dealership to get a replacement. They’ll need to verify that you are the car owner by looking at the registration or title and order a new key for you. It can take a few days to get a replacement. Then, they’ll have to program it to your car. That can cost up to $500 for a new key with a smart or transponder chip. If you’re an AAA member, they may provide a tow for free to the dealership.
Car Key Duplication
Modern car keys have evolved a lot since the days of a single piece of carved metal. Most cars built in the 2000s and beyond use a transponder chip to prevent unauthorized use of your vehicle. Replacing or duplicating this type of key requires specialized technology that most locksmiths do not have access to.
To create a duplicate key, an associate positions your current working key on one side of the machine while a blank key is lined up on the other side. The key cutting machine uses the contours of your original key to accurately shape a new blank. The process usually only takes a few minutes.
Lost car keys can stop your day in its tracks. Instead of waiting for a key replacement at the dealership, visit a Batteries Plus Bulbs location near you. Many of our locations offer in-store car key duplication services that are much faster and less expensive than a dealer.
Car Key Repair
Car keys can go missing at the most inconvenient times. The best way to protect yourself against this is with a spare. You can have one made at your local Transponder keys service, so you never have to be without a means of transportation. The process is fast and affordable, and much cheaper than having a replacement key made by a dealership.
Most of the time, a basic chip key or laser cut key is all you need. It has a small electronic chip built right in that emits a code that lets the car unlock and start. If you have a smart key, the process is much more complex.
These are usually paired with the vehicle by the dealership, and they will need to have the correct type of key in stock before they can help you. In this case, you may need to get roadside assistance and have them tow your vehicle to the dealership for help.
