How to Find a Spare Car Key Maker Near Me A car key can be inoperable at the most difficult times You may find that your car's key won't turn when you're loading groceries into the trunk or driving to work or getting ready to drive your children to soccer To make a spare key for your vehicle, an associate will select the correct blank key for your car Then using a machine they will trace the contours of the original key This process takes only a few moments Transponder Keys Many of the automobiles that are on the roads today are equipped with transponder keys, also known as what is often referred to as a chip key They are a little larger than your typical mechanical car key and have an electronic microchip in the head of the key When https//wwwg28carkeyscouk/spare-car-keys-near-me/ is placed into the ignition, it transmits a low-level signal to the ECU engine control unit of your car The ECU recognizes the unique code transmitted by the chip and allows the car to start if that particular signal is received This eliminates the risk of thieves stealing vehicles using keys stolen because it is impossible for anyone to make use of a duplicate key to start your car The best way to tell whether your key has a transponder chip is to take it to a locksmith or auto dealership and inquire about it They should be able confirm that the key does have a chip, and that it is programmed to fit the car you are driving If you've not seen the technology in its use then they should be able demonstrate how it works It will cost you more money to purchase a transponder car key made if you require one in a hurry The extra cost is worth it when you consider that a transponder can save you from having replace a luxury car or your family's dependable vehicle due to theft Some automotive locksmiths will make you a spare transponder and they might even do it for no cost You'll need to give them the YEAR, MAKE and MODEL of the vehicle so that they can programme the right key This information will accelerate the process, as it will be much faster than if you just bring in a regular car key You can save money by having a spare transponder made and keeping it somewhere else than your home or car It's recommended to place it in a place that is easy to locate, such as your kitchen counter or in the glove box This will allow you to keep the item in order to ensure that it doesn't get lost in your pocket Basic Keys Keep your spare car keys in a safe location in case your climate is cold A spare key will save you from needing to contact a locksmith or have your vehicle tow when you lose the original A spare key can save you money over time since most locksmiths charge a lot for the simplest keys If you have a standard key, it should be simple to get a duplicate made at any home improvement store Self-service kiosks are available in most of these stores They can make regular keys, and also some auto keys that don't require any programming You might have to pay a bit more for the auto keys, but they're still cheaper than going to an agent A local hardware store is another excellent place to locate keys to spare It's much less expensive to buy an extra key from an hardware store than from locksmiths There are stores in every town and city They will usually offer various types of keys as well as other services such as locksmith assistance Some retail and grocery stores have kiosks as well For example, Walmart and Menard's both have them in the majority of their stores The process is pretty similar to kiosks at home improvement stores and they are able to make auto and standard keys They can even program older VATS and Transponder keys that aren't compatible with modern key fobs You can also visit places such as AutoZone and Napa These are huge automotive chains with many locations in many states They can usually help you with whatever type of key you require These places are much more affordable than a locksmith and can usually complete the job faster If you have lost the original key, you can get a replacement through mail You can find out more about this service, called minuteKEY Make sure to check with your insurance or auto warranty company to find out whether it covers stolen or lost key fobs These services are not as common as getting a spare key from any of the locations mentioned in this article but it's an option if you're looking to save money and don't want pay a large sum for locksmith services Valet keys Valet keys are a kind of spare keys for cars They provide an additional level of security when you surrender your vehicle to a mechanic or valet Essentially, these types of keys allow someone to unlock and start the car but they don't grant access to your trunk or glove box, Family Handyman reports These keys are typically found in high-end cars like BMWs and Audis Some sports cars come with them Certain keys for valet have features that block the trunk and the center console of the car, in addition to preventing the car from driving over a certain distance or at a too high speeds You can enable these features on your vehicle's onboard computer prior to handing over the key to a repair or valet shop worker This feature is particularly useful when your car is equipped with expensive equipment, like golf clubs and laptops This feature also helps to prevent your car from being taken on an adventure by unscrupulous characters If you are unsure whether your car came with the valet key, read through the owner's manual, or contact your dealer to inquire Valet keys are a great way to add a security measure when you are giving your car to a professional however, they aren't substitutes for having a spare car key Keep the key in a place secure, such as in your purse or wallet until you are ready to use it If you leave your valet keys in your car, you could end up in serious trouble if it falls into the wrong hands Fortunately, the majority of people don't intend to lose their keys However, it can happen at any time and you should have a plan in place for when this happens You should also locate a key maker in your area who can make you a replacement key quickly and at a cost that is reasonable It is also important to note down the year, year of manufacture and model of your vehicle as well as the VIN number in case you ever have to report a missing or stolen car Keyless Entry Fobs The modern key fob is more than just an insignificant remote It opens your car doors as well as the tailgate, trunk, and trunk and starts the engine It also houses a panic button, and even controls certain accessories like windows and sliding doors that can be powered Some have a security alarm Fobs offer a lot of functionality in a very compact package They are more suitable for people with physical disabilities that make the turning of a regular key difficult These tiny remotes work in a variety of ways, based on the year of your car and make, as well as the model For instance, certain key fobs might require dealer programming or computer software accessible only through a dealership in order to function with your vehicle Others can be programmed via the infotainment system in your car or dashboard controls, which is usually time-consuming and requires navigating menus and entering security codes A spare remote is a great idea, regardless of the type of remote you use You'll be back on the road faster if you lose, damage, or get your remote stolen You can also avoid paying extra at a locksmith if you need a new key or a new battery for your key fob Fobs are available in different colors, finishes, and shapes to fit your style and preference Most feature a key ring molded directly into the enclosure, meaning you can add it to your existing key ring They are also available in a variety of button configurations, from zero to five Some are constructed with a snap-together screw-together system which makes them easy to assemble and disassemble Some come with keychain clips that allow you to easily attach them to your bag, briefcase or purse The key fob comes with an RFID transmitter or radio-frequency identification RFID, chip and antenna The device communicates with a reader device that is attached to the locking system of your car When you press a button on the fob, it sends a unique coded signal the reader device The reader device alters the frequency of the signal to be in line with the RFID tag's programmed frequency