Car Spare Key 101 The Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Types of Car Spare Keys It doesn't matter if lost your car keys while shopping or if you put it back while you were getting your coffee. Keep a spare car key and look for places where you regularly leave your keys. Grocery stores such as Save Mart and H-E-B have self-service key duplication machines that can copy house keys, and sometimes car keys and key fobs. Visit their website to find current prices and additional information. Valet keys Valet keys are a type of spare car key that permits the vehicle to be operated but does not unlock a trunk or a glove box. They are usually a cheaper alternative to a replacement key. Most often, they are used by hotel valet attendants and mechanics working in repair shops to gain access to the car of a customer. However they can also be employed by a private party to get into the car in case the owner's remote key fob battery is not working. The main reason for having a valet key is to stop theft. It is not unusual for valet parking attendants to take customers' cars for joyrides and the valet keys could act as a deterrent by making it more difficult to take the vehicle. Valet keys can be useful for those who frequently leave valuables in their car glovebox or in the boot. Modern valet keys maintain the original functions of older lock keys. They can unlock the driver's door but not the console or trunk lock. Some luxury vehicles of high-end also have features that enhance the security of the valet keys, such as a restricted power output. This prevents the vehicle from being started using the key unless the engine has been switched off. These features are a good starting point but the valet key has its flaws. For example, some thieves are aware of the limitations of these keys and can make use of an Crowbar to open them. Certain keys for valet also have weaker locks compared to standard replacement key fobs. In certain situations the valet key may not function as expected especially if it's damaged or dropped. The key might cease to function suddenly and the owner could require a locksmith to have it replaced. In the case of a malfunctioning key, it is important to have an extra. Visit your local Mister Minit to get a duplicate if you require an additional key for your car or lost your Attendant Key. When you visit Mister Minit to repair your car key, it's important to know the year and make of the vehicle you are using. Traditional Keys Locksmiths can easily create traditional keys due to their simple edges. They don't come with a transponder and therefore do not require encoding. They are typically made of nickel or brass, making them sturdier and durable. They can also withstand rough usage and handling. A spare key will help you avoid having to rekey your car if you lose it. Keep it separate from your keychain to make it easy to locate. You can leave it with someone you trust who will drive your car in the event that you lock yourself out. Many national chains of home improvement and hardware stores offer key duplication services at affordable prices. They typically have a machine called KeyMe where you can easily duplicate your keys in a matter of minutes. Visit their website to find a store close to you. Some stores also manufacture key fobs that can be used to start vehicles with push buttons. Call ahead before going to a shop that offers these services. You can also look online to see what kind of keys they can make. Certain locksmiths might not be able to create keys for locks with high security. If you have an electronic key, you will need to obtain a replacement from the dealership. Before they can make you a new key they'll need to prove that you have the vehicle. They will need evidence of ownership such as the registration or title to verify that. If you have a traditional key, you can go to an auto parts shop or a locksmith. Both of them will be able to create you a spare key quickly and at a reasonable cost. They can duplicate the key you have or give you an unprogrammable key that is blank. They will need the year, make, and model of your car to do this, so you'll want to have that information in your possession if you're planning to visit these locations to have your spare key made. Transponder Keys Contrary to traditional keys that make use of metal contacts to unlock the lock or start the car, transponder keys feature an electronic microchip built into the head of the key. This microchip transmits an low-level radio signal each time the key is activated. This signal contains the serial number that corresponds to the key code stored in your vehicle's computer. spare key fob of the vehicle is turned off when the correct code is found. Transponder keys aren't only more secure, they also make it harder to duplicate the car key. In fact, some cars won't start when the wrong key is used (except for non-transponder keys). As such, they are the most preferred choice if you want to reduce the likelihood that your car could be stolen or duplicated. If you lose your car transponder chip keys or if you lose them, it's important to have a replacement key made as soon as possible. Fortunately, many automotive locksmiths can repair your key fob, or make keys that are blank and can be paired with a switchblade key in order to provide the same functions as the original key. Transponder key replacements can be an expensive project, but it's often cheaper than paying to have your vehicle towed and retrieved after theft. It's also less time-consuming than visiting the dealership. A locksmith can repair or replace the key that is broken or lost and can also fix your ignition and other vehicle hardware. They can also make duplicate keys for all makes and models of cars which makes them a great choice when you need a new spare or have lost yours. It's important to keep your spare car keys somewhere safe, and not connected to your keychain. This will prevent you from getting it lost or misplaced. It will also make it easier to find your car when you're in a hurry. If you're worried about putting your spare key in a prominent location, try keeping it under the dashboard or in a secure compartment of your vehicle. Remote Keys Modern cars need the use of a key fob in addition to the traditional car key. A key fob looks more like a smartphone rather than a car key. A key fob can be used to unlock and lock your car by pressing an appropriate button. It also lets you start your vehicle remotely. Some cars offer the option of “summoning” your vehicle by pressing a button, much like Tesla's summon feature. This is a great option if you need to get into a congested parking space. Car keys can stop working at the most uncomfortable times. You could be at a gas station, on your route to get groceries, or driving home from a busy day when you realize that you've lost your spare key. This can be a huge hassle! Luckily, the majority of our stores can repair and make new keys immediately. If your car is equipped with a remote key, it's likely to have tiny chips inside which needs to be programmed. The majority of Mister Minit's locations are equipped with the necessary equipment to duplicate your transponder keys. We can duplicate your transponder key while you are waiting. This typically takes less than 30 minutes. You'll have plenty of time to run errands before picking up the keys. You'll require bringing your current key in order to have it copied at one of our locations. We will need to know the year, MAKE and MODEL of your vehicle to duplicate the correct key or fob for your specific vehicle. If you are having trouble with your car key, or you're looking to get an extra key to keep you safe, visit your local Mister Minit store today. We'll have the tools and expertise to design an extra car key that can last a lifetime. Make sure you keep it safe!