Types of Car Spare Keys If you've lost your keys while grocery shopping or put it down to go get your coffee, the loss of car keys happens Keep an extra key and look over the places where you tend to leave your keys before going out Grocery stores like Save Mart and H-E-B have self-service key duplication machines which can copy keys to homes, and occasionally car keys and key fobs Visit their website for current prices and more information Valet keys Valet keys are a type of spare car key that allows the vehicle to be driven, but does not unlock a trunk or a glove box They are a cheaper option than a standard replacement car key They are most often used by hotel valet parking attendants as well as repair shop mechanics to gain access to the customer's vehicle However, they can also be employed by private parties to get into the car in case the owner's remote key fob battery goes out The main reason to use valets is to stop theft Valet parking attendants are known to take their customers' vehicles on fun rides Valet keys act as a deterrent, making it difficult to take the car Valet keys can also be useful for those who keep valuables in the glovebox or trunk of their cars Modern valet keys have remained in the original functionality of older key locks and can unlock a door for drivers, but not the lock on the central console or the trunk Certain luxury vehicles that are high-end have features that enhance the security of the valet key for example, a limit on power output This prevents the car from being started with the key unless the engine has been turned off While these features are an important step in the right direction, the valet key is not without its weaknesses Some thieves know the limitations of these key fobs and can open them with a bar In addition, some valet keys have weaker locks than the regular replacement key fobs In some instances, a valet key will not function as planned, particularly if it's been damaged or dropped The key could cease to function suddenly, and the owner may need to call an locksmith to get it replaced In the event of a key malfunction it is essential to have an extra If you're in need of an additional car key or have lost your Attendant Key go to your local Mister Minit store to have a duplicate made It is beneficial to have the year and MAKE MODEL of your vehicle in hand when you come in to get a replacement Traditional Keys Locksmiths are able to make traditional keys since they have simple edges They don't come with an electronic transponder, and therefore do not require encryption They are made from brass or nickel and therefore more durable They also can withstand rough handling and harsh usage A spare key can help you avoid from losing your car and going through the hassle of re-keying it Keep it separate from your keychain to make it easy to locate You can even leave it with a family member who you can trust to drive your car if you lock yourself out Many hardware stores and national home improvement chains offer key duplication services for affordable prices They typically have a machine called KeyMe, which allows you to easily duplicate your standard keys in minutes Visit their website to find a store close to you Some stores also manufacture key fobs that can be used to turn on cars using push buttons Make sure to call ahead prior to going to a store that offers these services You can also check their website to see the types of keys that they are able to make Some locksmiths may not be able make keys for high security locks You'll need to change your smart key at the dealership, if you have one They will need to verify that you are the owner of the vehicle before they are able to create a new key for you They will need evidence of ownership such as the registration or title to do that If you have an old key, visit an auto parts store or a locksmith Both will be able to create you a spare key swiftly and at a reasonable cost They will be able to duplicate your original key, or they will be capable of providing you with a blank key that could be programmed to match your car's security system They will require the year, make, and model of your vehicle to accomplish this, so you'll be required to keep that information on hand if you're planning to visit these locations to get your spare key made Transponder Keys Contrary to traditional keys that utilize metal contacts to open the lock or start the car, transponder keys are equipped with an electronic microchip built into the head of the key The microchip sends out the radio signal at a low level when the key is activated The signal is a digital serial number that is matched with the key code in your vehicle's computer system The immobilizer system of the vehicle is activated when the correct code matches In addition to providing greater security, transponder keys also make it more difficult to duplicate your car key Some cars will not start in the event that you use a key that is not correct except for keys that are not transponder This is why they are the best option if are looking to reduce the chance of your vehicle being stolen or copied If you've lost or had lost your transponder keys, you must get a new one made as soon as possible A lot of locksmiths for automotive can replace your key fob, or create a blank switchblade key that can be joined with the original key A transponder key replacement can be a costly undertaking, but it's often cheaper than having your vehicle towed and retrieved following theft It can also be quicker than going to a dealership In addition to being able to repair or replace the broken or lost key an automotive locksmith may also repair damaged ignitions and other parts of your vehicle They can duplicate keys for a variety of makes and models of vehicles and are an ideal choice if require replacement of your spare key or lose it It is essential to keep your spare car keys somewhere secure and not on your keychain This will ensure that you don't risk accidentally losing or misplacing it It will also make it easier to find your car if you are in a rush If https//wwwg28carkeyscouk/spare-car-keys-near-me/ worried about leaving your spare key in a prominent area, you can keep it under the dashboard or in a secret compartment of your vehicle Remote Keys In most modern cars, a key fob is required in addition to traditional keys for cars made of metal Key fobs are small transmitter that appears more like a smartphone than an actual car key A key fob is able to unlock and lock your car by pressing a button You can also start your vehicle remotely Certain cars allow you to "summon" your vehicle with a single button press, similar to Tesla's summon feature This is useful in situations where you have to squeeze into a tight space Sometimes, car keys stop working at the worst possible moment You could be at a petrol station, heading to pick up some groceries or just driving home after an exhausting day You put your keys down for one second only to realize that you forgot to bring the spare key with you This can be a nightmare Luckily, the majority of our stores can repair and make new key replacements on the spot If your car is equipped with a remote key, it has a small chip in it which needs to be programmed The majority of Mister Minit's locations have the necessary equipment to duplicate the transponder key We can duplicate your transponder car key while you are waiting This typically takes less than 30 minutes You have plenty of time to do through your routine before picking keys Bring your key to one of our shops to get it duplicated To duplicate the correct fob or key, we will need to know the vehicle's year, MAKE, and MODEL If you are having trouble with your car key, or you're looking to have a spare key created for peace of mind, visit your local Mister Minit store today We'll have the tools and expertise to make a spare car key that can last for the rest of your life Make sure you keep it in a safe place