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Keys Replacement For Cars You can get an alternative key for a mechanical key at any hardware store. However, this key will have to be programmed by a locksmith or dealership. Smart keys are more complex and require a trip to the dealer to connect them to your car. These kinds of keys are typically expensive but some insurance companies cover the cost. Mechanical Keys You can still buy car keys that are solely mechanical, the kind that you insert into an ignition lock cylinder and then turn to start your vehicle. If your car has one of these keys, replacing the key and fob is fairly inexpensive (if they're lost or stolen). A locksmith can design new keys for less than what you pay at a dealership. You could also ask a neighbor or friend who is able to program transponder keys aftermarket (which are cheaper than the factory keys) to cut you a spare and have it programmed. Getting a spare is important because modern cars won't start if a key without the proper chip is used. Transponder keys look like mechanical keys, but they are actually equipped with an electronic chip in the base of their plastic design that communicates with your car's computer system. Your car will recognize the code inside the chip and accept it, but it will refuse to start if any other code is utilized. If your spare key has chips it must be programmed by a dealer. The dealership will need an exclusive machine for cutting and programming the key. These machines are only available at specific dealerships, and it's not likely that a locksmith has the equipment needed to create a laser-cut key with a transponder. Keys with remotes are expensive to replace, especially when you require a spare. Try reprogramming the fob yourself if you're only missing the shank of the key and have a functional replacement fob, but it could be difficult and time-consuming. If you've lost your entire fob and key but you're not sure, a dealer is the best option. Other kinds of car keys require more specific skills to replace. They include flip keys and smart key. These are more complex and typically need to be replaced at the dealership. Key fobs can be operated by proximity sensors or a door opener that is spring-loaded. Transponder Keys If your car is built in the last 10 years or so it's likely to have transponder keys. The keys are equipped with a microchip and the receiver is programmed to communicate with start your car. Transponder keys are an excellent method of preventing theft, since they require two parts to start the car: the transmitter inside the key, and the receiver connected to the immobilizer. The car won't start without both the key and the immobilizer system. These key chips are programmed with a unique serial number that is unique to your vehicle. The serial number of the key is transmitted to the immobilizer inside the car, and then checked to match. If it does the engine starts, it will. The only thing that can defeat this security feature is a special device that is able to read the chip and match it with another car. You'll have to find a locksmith who has the equipment to reprogram your key. Some car dealerships also offer this service, but their overheads make them more expensive than a locksmith who is independent. Finding a new car key that has a chip in it is a complicated procedure. The key has to be cut using a specific machine to ensure that it has the proper tracks that can then be used to program the key to your car. This requires specific software and the right key cutter in order to be done correctly. Most auto parts stores can clone some of the simpler keys for chips, but you will need to know the serial number from the original key in order to ensure that the correct information is encoded into the key. Many people make the mistake of going to their dealer for an exact copy of a chip key only to end up paying inflated costs. Laser-Cut Keys Laser-cut keys, referred to as sidewinder keys due to their distinctive winding cuts to the shank of the key, add an extra layer of security to your vehicle. Keys like these are a great security measure against theft of your vehicle because they require specialized equipment to duplicate. They also have built-in chips to stop the copying of keys by unauthorized people from starting your vehicle. They have a unique number that needs to be programmed into your vehicle to unlock it and begin it. This additional layer of security is a great way to protect your investment and deter thieves who may be trying to steal your vehicle to make parts or sell it to. Laser-cut keys differ slightly from mechanically cut keys in terms of design. They have fewer grooves that are carved on the key. They also have a thicker key shaft, which is a good indication that it's not a regular car key. Locksmiths typically use a machine called a milling tool to cut these kinds of keys. It's akin to a drill bit and it's designed to remove metal in very precise angles. They're among the most secure keys you can purchase for your car, because they're extremely difficult to duplicate and only cut by the dealer or a licensed locksmith. In contrast to traditional keys, they're constructed from a tiny piece of steel that's made into a code, and then cut with the laser in the factory. This kind of key is able to withstand a lot wear and tear, and is one of the best options to protect your vehicle. The key can be folded into the fob, or it can be removed by pressing the button. Keys like this are used extensively in German cars and offer an additional layer of protection against car thieves. The cylinder is robust and difficult to break into, which makes it difficult for a thief pick or pick-lock the car. Smart Keys Unlike the traditional single piece of metal, smart keys make use of RFID, also known as radio-frequency identification for short, to communicate with the car. This means that they are equipped with a small chip that has an encrypted code that is unique to each key. When cheap car key replacement near me open your car doors or pop the trunk the key sends a signal to your vehicle's computer onboard. The computer then prompts the correct frequency which allows you to open your car and start it. The chip in the smart key is equipped with several security features that protect it from theft. The key emits a low-frequency signal that can only be detected by your vehicle. If the computer onboard detects this signal, it will prompt an alternative one that's a unique sequence that only your vehicle can comprehend. This will stop a tech-savvy criminal from using a pulse generator in order to “fool the system” and perform the work on other vehicles. In addition to locking and opening the car, some smart keys come with additional features such as storing particular driver preferences, remotely opening windows or the sunroof, and many more. These can be done by activating the key's proximity sensor, pressing a button on the key itself or, in some instances, twisting a small metal piece inside the key. Certain key fobs can be opened by placing the dead key in a slot or by placing it in proximity to an inductive coil on the dashboard. Certain key fobs come with mechanical (fully emergency) key blade that is inside the key. Replacing a smart key usually requires a visit to the dealer, who will either have the replacement on hand or make it available for you to purchase. They'll also need to program the new key to recognize your car. You can also visit a locksmith for your replacement key fob to be programmed and replaced. A locksmith will charge more than dealers, but they will do the job quicker and at a lower cost.