Car key replacement becomes a more nuanced process with every advance in car locking and starting technology. Many keys today are not keys at all in the most recognizable sense. And with that in mind, it might be tempting to think that only a dealership can manage to replicate or replace them. Not so. Automotive locksmiths have been known to manage car key replacement at prices 30–50% less than dealers with equivalent results.

At Anytime Locksmith, we pride ourselves on servicing the Minneapolis area 24 hours a day. Coming to you to replace lost, stolen, replacement car keys or broken car keys. No matter where faulty keys leave you stranded, you can avoid the worry of excessive wait times since our team is known for our quick response.

The complexity of car keys has increased relative to the complexity of each new vehicle on the market. Whether you have a textbook key or your fob looks nothing like the original idea, we’ve got your car key replacement covered.

If your car was manufactured before the turn of the millennium, it likely has a traditional key. These are cut in the same way house keys are. And are usually made of a composite of nickel and brass. Traditional keys operate on a purely mechanical basis, with no coding required. Our team can handle residential locksmithing or traditional cheap car key replacement on the spot in less time. Than it takes to recreate a more techy key.

Car keys with transponder chips began to be utilized in the early- to mid-1990s. And were specifically designed as an anti-theft security measure. The keys have microchips embedded in them. Which dispatch a low-level signal which is read by a receiver in the car itself. RFID is used to detect the key-specific serial number. And the car won’t unlock or start without the right code. Transponder chips are the same technology used in the keyless entry for gates and homes as well as garage door opener remotes.

Because keys with transponder chips are so exclusive to each car. Car key replacement for them is not just a matter of getting them copied at your local kiosk. They must be laser-cut because the blade on such a key is thicker than a traditional key. And more importantly, they must be programmed. This requires specific tools. Fortunately, at Anytime Locksmith, we have the same equipment needed for car key replacement and reprogramming that you would find at a dealership. And we can replace the key at a fraction of the cost a dealer would charge.

Your manufacturer may call it something else—keyless entry, keyless access, smart access, smart entry, keyless start, push-to-start, a smart key, or a host of others. But whatever the name, the technology for proximity keys is sweet. Also using radio waves, a proximity key communicates with your vehicle without ever making physical contact. This allows you to lock, unlock, and start your car without ever pulling out the key as long as the fob is in range.

A proximity key has no blade, so it is the fob itself that needs to be replaced and recoded. This takes longer than replacing a traditional key.  But fortunately can still be done onsite to save you the trouble and expense of towing your vehicle.

Even if you are not at the critical moment when your key has vanished or broken. We highly recommend making sure you have a spare. This will save you time and headache if and when your key is out of commission. For expert car key replacement or duplication, give us a call at Anytime Locksmith.