Car Key Replacements

Losing a key can be expensive, whether it's a simple lock-and-key, or a more sophisticated key fob. It's ideal to keep one spare key in your wallet.

If you've lost keys, the most affordable alternative is to locate an auto locksmith. A dealership is more expensive but a solid alternative.

Mechanical Keys

If you own an older vehicle that doesn't use key fob technology, your keys are likely mechanical. The standard keys are made of brass, steel or a mix of brass and nickel. They're cut using a key duplicator, with the original key placed against one side of the machine and an unaligned blank key placed next to it to act as a template. The original key is cut with an specialized cutter to make the duplicate.

Transponder Keys

Transponder chips are incorporated into most newer cars keys. These chips are used to unlock the car and then start it. The chips are located in the ignition or on the key head. The transponder sends signals to the car's computer when the key is turned into the ignition. The computer examines the signal and ensures it matches with the correct serial number.

It's nearly impossible to start a car without the owner's keys. If the signal doesn't match, the car will not start and will remain locked. This is a huge advantage that helps to stop car thieves from taking your car as the odds of someone else starting and driving away with your vehicle are drastically decreased.

The downside of a transponder key is that it's more expensive than a standard flat metal key. The transponder is a microchip that is expensive to manufacture and put into the car key. Typically, these types of keys can cost hundreds of dollars purchased from a car dealer.

A locksmith can provide much more reliable and less expensive transponder key replacements. Beishir Lock and Security has a wide selection of these keys and can reprogram the chip on the spot, allowing it to work with your car at less than the dealership.

If you're looking for a transponder replacement key, be sure to get multiple estimates. The final price is influenced by many factors, such as the make and model of your vehicle, the extra features that you can find on the key (such as a remote control key-fob), and even the location you decide to copy it.

Ultimately, you should weigh the benefits of a transponder-based key against the cost and convenience. If you prioritize safety and security, then a transponder key could be worth the cost in the long in the long run. A car key without a transponder won't allow the car to start.

Laser-Cut Keys

While they might appear like something from a sci-fi movie laser cut keys are in fact quite common and provide an additional security measure for vehicles. These keys are created with special key cutting machines and are much harder to duplicate or pick for thieves than traditional cut keys.

In contrast to traditional keys with grooves cut into one side laser cut car keys have slits tooled on both sides. They can be inserted into the lock cylinder any way and still work. This means that they tend to be more sturdier and thicker than traditional keys.

They are also employed as a bonus feature to unlock certain locks with high security. This is because the slits are fitted into a certain depth that matches with the different car manufacturers' codes. Getting the right depth is vital because a blade that is not cut correctly could damage the key cutting machine and result in the key not working shortly after being placed into the lock cylinder.

The unique slits and increased thickness of laser-cut car keys make them more resistant to being copied. A lot of these keys have a transponder chip that is unique to your car. This means that even if a person creates a duplicate of your cheap car key replacement near me key with a transponder chip, they won't be capable of starting your car.

Although these extra layers of security might make a laser cut car key more expensive than other keys but the truth is that they're still less expensive than purchasing a replacement key for car cost from your dealer. Locksmiths can often cut these keys faster than dealerships for cars.

Another aspect to be aware of is that the quality of a laser cut car key can make a huge difference. The wrong type of blade could easily damage the machine that cuts keys or your lock cylinder leading to a large repair bill. It is essential to purchase your laser-cut car key from a locksmith for autos who sells keys.

Bibens Ace South Burlington has a wide choice of car key replacement FOB keys that fit more than 250 different models and brands of vehicles. We also have laser-cut sidewinder keys. Visit us today and discover how we can help you save money on car key fob replacements without the hassle of having to go to a dealership!

Remote Keys

Not so long ago the possibility of losing or misplacing your car keys was not a huge deal. Call a locksmith to get a new key and drive away. Today, however, cars are much more technologically advanced, and the corresponding keys can be harder to replace and even more difficult for thieves to copy. It's becoming more expensive to replace a lost car key.

Depending on the type of key that you have, the price to replace it can vary. For traditional keys you can get one made for $10 at a hardware store, or you can hire an automotive locksmith to visit you and make one on the spot.

You'll have to take your smart key, transponder that has switchblade or transponder with remote start to the dealer 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 reason as do other electronic devices. It is usually due to extreme cold or heat however, it can be due to an unsatisfactory battery or water in the keyfob after rain. It's worth resetting your car keys prior to calling an auto locksmith in the event that it is not responding.

You should also be aware that your key fob can only work if you're within the range of the vehicle. It's essential to always keep your key fob close to you and never let it go out of your pocket unless absolutely essential.

The most common method of losing keys to cars is misplacing it or dropping it. This could result in the key breaking or get stuck in the lock. It's recommended to always have a spare.