10 Things People Hate About Car Key Replacements

Car Key Replacements

The loss of a key could be costly, whether it's a simple lock-and-key, or a sophisticated key fob. The best way to prevent this is to always keep a spare in your wallet.

If you lose a key, the cheapest solution is to hire an auto locksmith. Dealerships are more expensive, but is a great option.

Mechanical Keys

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

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are integrated in the majority of newer automobiles' keys. These chips are used to unlock the car and start it. These chips are usually located inside the key head, but can also be located in the ignition. The transponder sends a signal to the car's computer when the key is turned on in the ignition. The computer then checks the signal to ensure that it matches the correct serial number.

This makes it almost impossible for a stolen vehicle to start without the owner's keys. If the signal doesn't match, the car will not start and remain locked. This is an excellent benefit to help deter car thefts since it lowers the risk of someone else driving off with your car.

A transponder key is more expensive than a standard metal key. The transponder is a chip that is costly to produce and install into a car key. The keys are usually expensive when bought from a dealership.

A locksmith can offer much cheaper and more trustworthy transponder key replacements. Beishir Lock and Security has a wide selection of these keys and will reprogram the chip right on the spot to function with your vehicle at only a fraction of the cost for replacement car key of the dealership.

Be sure to compare prices when you are looking for the replacement transponder keys. There are many factors that influence the final cost, including the model and make of your vehicle, whether you have additional features on the key such as a Remote Car Key Replacement key-fob or a remote key-fob, and also where you decide to go to get it copied.

In the end, you need consider the advantages of a transponder versus the expense and convenience. If you value security and safety, then a transponder key could be worth the cost in the long in the long run. Additionally, the majority of modern cars come with an immobilizer that won't allow the car to start if a key that is not transponder is used and this is a further aspect to take into consideration.

Laser-Cut Keys

While they might appear like something from an sci-fi film, laser cut keys are actually quite common and offer an additional layer of protection for vehicles. They require special key cutting equipment and are more difficult for thieves to copy or pick than traditional cut keys.

Contrary to traditional keys, which have grooves cut into one side, laser cut car keys have slits tooled on both sides. This allows them to be put into the lock cylinder in either direction, and still operate. This means that they tend to be more sturdier and thicker than traditional keys.

As a bonus, they can also be used to unlock certain high-security locks. The slits are drilled to a specific depth, which matches the codes of the different car manufacturers. It is crucial to choose the correct depth as a blade that is cut incorrectly could cause damage to the cutting machine and make the key unable to function once it is inserted into the lock.

The distinctive slits and the increased thickness of laser-cut car keys make them more resistant to copying. Furthermore, many of these keys contain transponder chips that are unique to your vehicle. This means that when someone copies your car key even if it contains transponder chips they won't be able start your vehicle.

While these extra layers of security might make a laser-cut car key more expensive than other keys however, the reality is that they're still less expensive than purchasing a replacement from your dealer. Additionally, locksmiths can often cut these keys faster than car dealerships.

Another important thing to remember is that the quality of a laser cut car key can make all the difference. The wrong type of blade could easily damage the key cutting machine or your lock cylinder, which could result in a costly repair bill. It is crucial to purchase your laser-cut car key from an auto locksmith who sells them.

Bibens Ace South Burlington offers a variety of replacement car key fob keys for over 250 different makes and models of vehicles, in addition to laser-cut sidewinder key replacements. Visit us today to find out how you can save money on car fob replacements, 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 huge deal. You could contact a locksmith, get a replacement and still drive away. Modern cars are more technologically advanced and keys that go with them may be more difficult to replace. They are also difficult to steal. It's becoming more expensive to replace a lost car key.

Depending on the type of key that you have, the cost to replace it will differ. You can have a traditional key made for $10 at a local hardware store or hire an automotive locksmith who will visit you and make the key on the spot.

You will need to take your smart key, transponder that has switchblade, or transponder with remote start to the dealership to be repaired. This can be very costly and could take a while to obtain the new key from the manufacturer, which could delay getting back on the road.

The car key may not function for no apparent cause as with other electronic devices. This can be due to extreme cold or heat however it could also be due to a bad battery or water in the keyfob following rain. It is recommended to reset your car key before calling an auto car key replacement near me locksmith if you find that it's not responding.

It's also important to understand that your key fob can only function if it's within range of the vehicle. It is essential to keep your key fob with you and never take it out of your pocket unless absolutely required.

The most frequent way to lose the car key is through losing it or dropping it. In certain instances this could cause it to break or get stuck in the lock and this is why it's always a good idea to have an extra key available at all times.