Blog entry by Graig Pickett

Anyone in the world

Subaru-logo.pngCar Key Cutting - Security, Convenience, and Peace of Mind

The art of cutting car keys requires more than just bent metal. It's a technique that offers security and ease of mind to vehicle owners.

Bring your key to an AutoZone store and a staff member will duplicate the key by using the proper key cutting method for your car's make and model. The key cutting process takes only a few minutes and is cheaper than buying a new car key at the dealership.

Mechanical Keys

Mechanical keys are the most basic type of car key and go back to the early days of automobile locks. These keys have an arrangement that is in line with the pin settings of a lock to unlock it. Mechanical keys can be copied at most hardware stores, but a professional locksmith with the right tools will generally have greater success in creating copies that are more durable and can work with your vehicle.

A professional locksmith will also be able to create laser cut keys. These are more secure than a standard mechanical key since they have grooves on both sides of the key. This makes it more difficult to duplicate, and if someone tries to use a grinder on the key, they'll likely leave behind a lot of metal pieces that won't fit into the lock.

In the 1990s transponder keys were invented as an additional layer of security. These keys contain a tiny chip inside the head that communicates with your car key cutting cost so it knows it's authentic keys. If the chip in the car's key isn't properly matched, the car won't start. These keys are more expensive than a mechanical key and require a professional cutting and programming.

Smart keys are the latest development in car keys. They are the result of combining the traditional mechanical key and a remote control. This lets you unlock and start your vehicle by using the key. It also lets you do it from the distance. A mobile auto locksmith can make smart keys for your car in a matter of minutes using the most recent technology.

Hardware stores are not the best option to purchase an alternative mechanical key for a lost or damaged one. Most chains do not have the right equipment or highly skilled experts to be able to create an authentic key that can be used in your vehicle. It is better to hand over the making of your key to a professional and you will most likely save money in the end by choosing this option.

Laser Keys

Laser cut keys are more costly to produce than standard key blanks, but offer 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 have a distinctive pattern that is more difficult to duplicate.

The wider shank and fewer grooves will help you discern a laser-cut key from a bladed traditional key. This makes it more difficult for thieves to steal your car since the key is harder to turn. These keys are less likely to get stuck in the lock since they have more precise cutting.

When you insert the laser-cut keys into your lock, a distinct signal is sent to the car's receiver. This signals the car that it is the right key, and it can be used to start. If a criminal manages to obtain an unauthorised copy of your key, your vehicle's transmitter will not recognize it and will refuse to start.

Laser-cut keys were introduced in the 1990s, and are currently used in a variety of luxury vehicles. They are more expensive and require special equipment to make keys, but they do provide an additional layer of security to your vehicle. If you lose yours an experienced locksmith should be able to replace it quickly and efficiently for reasonable cost.

You may need to have the transponder chip installed in your key based on the vehicle you own. This isn't something that you can do on your own, and most car dealers will charge an arm and a leg to complete the task for you. A reliable locksmith can programme your transponder, but they may not have the same expertise as the local dealer.

Transponder chips are incorporated into the keys of most modern cars to add an additional layer of security. These chips are registered to your car's specific ignition system and allow it to confirm that the key is authentic before starting the engine. Even if a burglar manages to steal the key and duplicate it however, they will not be able to use it to start your car because the engine will refuse to start in the event that it doesn't have a proper code.

Transponder Keys

Almost any car built in the last 20 years or therefore will have an embedded transponder chip within it. These are radio transmitters which make sure your car isn't started without the correct keys. This was a major breakthrough in the fight against auto theft since thieves had discovered a myriad of methods to start cars with 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 key cutting cost to be turned on for a short period of time. It also verified that there was a key in place.

A regular transponder will look like a metal key with a top made of plastic. This plastic top contains the actual transponder that will transmit a signal to your car when the key is close to. This signal contains a digital serial number that is identical to the original transponder that is inside your car. If the signals are compatible the car's transponder, it will allow you to operate it. This is the best anti-theft system that an automaker can put in place because it makes car theft impossible for anyone with an official key.

Depending on the model, there are different types of transponder key that are available. Certain keys come with an embedded transponder in the head. Some have a remote fob that contains the transponder of the key. Key fobs often include buttons that permit you to lock or unlock your car or set an alarm and perform other functions.

A locksmith can help you obtain an updated transponder key to your vehicle and even program it for you, should you require it. This process is usually simple and requires only just a few steps. First, the new key has to be cut using the standard metal key cutter, which is usually be done at any automotive retailer. The transponder keys blanks will then need to be programmed by an experienced locksmith for your vehicle. The process of programming is generally fast and takes around 10 minutes.

Key Fobs

A lot of modern cars come with the remote keyless system which requires a fob. The fob is used to send the vehicle a signal to unlock the doors, or start the motor. It can also open the trunk, provided it's equipped.

It is important to keep in mind that the car key fob isn't like the typical metal key you might have on your keychain. It's a complicated piece of electronic equipment that has to be programmed correctly to work with your specific vehicle. Don't try to cut your key fob by yourself. It is recommended to leave the cutting and programming of your fobs to experts.

Fobs tend to be small and rectangular. Some come with a key that folds inside, much like an ad-hoc switchblade. This makes the fob smaller and allows it to be hidden away when not in use. There are fobs that don't have the foldable feature that look like a regular-sized key.

If you lost your key fob, it can be a real pain to get an alternative. It may require specialized tools or a trip to the dealership. Usually, the dealer will only provide a fob that works with the specific model of your car. The dealer has the technical expertise to ensure that the replacement fob is compatible with your vehicle's safety system.

The process of finding a replacement key fob can be quite simple if have the right information. You'll be required to know the car's year of manufacture, year of manufacture, and model. Bring with you a spare key that is functional.

Get the tools you need: Prior to trying to program your key fob, consult the manual of the manufacturer to ensure you have all of the necessary tools and equipment. You will need to enter a specific mode that might involve switching the ignition off and on a certain number of times, triggering certain buttons or a combination of both. Some manufacturers may even use an illuminated light or sound to signal the entry into programming mode.

You can take your keyfob to the Mister Minit store nearest you to have it programmed and cut. We can help you save time and money by cutting your 24 hour key cutting fobs at a a much more reasonable price than the dealership. We are open earlier than the dealer so you don't have to rush in order to get your keyfob programmed and cut.