All-American Lock & Key

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Service & Price

Service
& Price

AUTOMOTIVE KEYS​

Automotive keys, where to start??? Remember the good old days when you could go get a car key made for a couple of bucks at the hardware store? Yeah, I sure do too! Unfortunately, with the implementation of VATS Keys in 1986, then evolving to transponder technology in 1995, the days of simple plain steel keys are long gone. Sure you can still find some vehicles with regular keys, but most are entry level vehicles or fleet vehicles. Lucky for you, All-American Lock and Key now has the ability to cut and program most makes of automotive keys on the market along with the ability to program car remotes too, and a lot less than the dealers can!

Pricing

Automotive Service Calls start at $60 (+$20 extra if after hours, on weekends, or holidays) and go up from there depending on the vehicle location (see Rates and Coverage page). This is for showing up to the vehicle whether any work is performed or not, so please be absolutely sure you need the service before you call us. For those just needing a copy and can drive the vehicle to me, I do offer to meet you locally to cut and program keys and/or remotes. This can save you a service call and time.

There is a programming fee of $50 to program the first transponder key or remote, $10 for each additional transponder key or remote. If you need multiple keys or remotes programmed, please let us know beforehand to allow the proper time for your appointment.

 

***AUCTION VEHICLES***

If you are buying vehicles from an auction or estate, the proper paperwork must be verified and the vehicle must be registered with valid plates on the vehicle, NO EXCEPTIONS! We also cannot do vehicles if registered under a business.

We also charge labor time ($60 per/hr) if we have to remove a door, trunk, or valet lock to retrieve key codes or time for decoding locks. On some older GM vehicles, the steering column must be taken apart and the ignition removed to get the key code. We do not provide this service, so the ignition must be removed by you or your regular mechanic. Unfortunately, we do not see enough of these vehicles to invest in the necessary tools needed and apologize for the inconvenience.

Sometimes it may also be necessary to pull a key code and/or pin code for the vehicle. This is usually when the vehicle does not have any codes stamped on any of the locks or we cannot decode a lock cylinder due to wear and tear on the wafers or have the software to pull pin code from the car’s computer. Key codes and pin codes can range from $25-$65 depending on the manufacturer and are non-refundable. Luckily for our customers, we are a proud member of NASTF (National Automotive Service Task Force) and have access to most manufacturer key codes 24/7, unlike dealers who can only get codes during normal business hours. ​

Due to the extensive cost of programming equipment and/or proprietary software, there are some makes that we do not cover at this time like BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Volvo, some Audi/VW, Land Rover/Range Rover, and a few others. But we are always looking at new methods and technology to keep up with the advances in the automotive world. Also, due to the high cost of certain keys or the frequency in which we see them, we may not carry certain keys in stock, but can usually order it and have it next day*. So if you have a question on a particular car, do not hesitate to give us a call at 319-325-5547.

WARNING!

We do not guarantee any cutting of keys or guarantee whether a key or remote will program or stay programmed unless they are purchased either through us or an OEM Dealer. Unfortunately, sellers on Amazon, Ebay, and other sites provide inferior products that just do not hold up and are made from inferior materials. A minimum $50 cutting fee is charged to cut any key bought online from anywhere like Ebay, Amazon, or any other online sites. Often these aftermarket keys are made of harder materials which will damage our key machine cutters and are not warrantied through us. There will be no refund if a key or remote gets damaged during cutting or if the item does not program.

Keep in mind, we will only cut keys for the registered owner of the vehicle and will require proper identification and required proof of ownership.

Pricing of keys will vary depending on the type of key. See below for examples of various types of keys and the price range. Again, for your year, make, and model of vehicle, please call for specific pricing.

Standard Keys (Non-Transponder)

Price

$10-20**

These are the basic keys with no transponder chips in them. They may come as a plain steel key like on the left or with a rubber head like the one on the right. As you can see, even some regular keys are high security as well and need to be cut on the proper equipment.

Transponder Keys (Non-Remote Head)

Price

$35-45**

A transponder chip disarms a vehicle immobilizer when the car key is used to start the engine. The majority of keys to cars built after 1995 contain transponder chips. When the car key is turned in the ignition, the engine control unit (ECU) on the car sends an electronic message to the key, and it will allow the car to start only provided it receives the correct message back. So, even for a simple car key without any buttons, the key must be cut correctly to turn the locks, and also programmed correctly to disarm the immobilizer. Car keys with chips can be programmed using special equipment. As you can see on the left pic above, there are a variety of shapes and sizes out there. There are also Laser Cut transponder keys that require a High Security Key Machine to cut them (one local dealership doesn’t even have one!). Luckily, All-American Lock and Key has the ability to cut any key.

​Transponder Keys (Remote Headed Key)

Price

$75-200**

A Remote Headed Key is basically the same thing except in combines your car’s transponder key together with your remote. Unfortunately, this makes the keys much more expensive to produce and are more expensive to buy. As you can see these keys also can be a solid bladed key, or a high security key. Fiat/Dodge/Chrysler products also have a Remote Headed Key that fits in a slot in the ignition, this is called either a Pod Key or a Fobik Key which carries a hidden emergency key in the remote’s body.

Proximity Keys or "Smart Keys"

Price

$150-300+**

Proximity key or “smart key” is an electronic access and authorization system that which is available as an option or standard in several cars. It was first developed by Siemens in 1995 and introduced by Mercedes-Benz under the name “Key-less Go” in 1998 on the W220 S-Class following its design patent filed by Daimler-Benz on May 17, 1997. The smart key allows the driver to keep the key fob pocketed when unlocking, locking and starting the vehicle. The key is identified via one of several antennas in the car’s bodywork and a radio pulse generator in the key housing. Depending on the system, the vehicle is automatically unlocked when a button or sensor on the door handle or trunk release is pressed. Vehicles with a smart key system fitted have a mechanical backup, usually in the form of a spare key blade supplied with the vehicle. Some manufacturers hide the backup lock behind a cover for styling. Vehicles with a smart key system can disengage the immobilizer and activate the ignition without inserting a key in the ignition, provided the driver has the key inside the car. On most vehicles, this is done by pressing a starter button or twisting an ignition switch (see above).When leaving a vehicle equipped with a smart key system, the vehicle is locked by either pressing a button on one of the door handles, touching a capacitive area on a door handle, or by simply walking away from the vehicle. The method of locking varies between models. Some vehicles automatically adjust settings based on the smart key used to unlock the car: user preferences such as seat positions, steering wheel position, exterior mirror settings, climate control temperature settings, and stereo presets are popular adjustments, and some models such as the Ford Escape even have settings which can prevent the vehicle from exceeding a maximum speed when a certain key is used to start it.

Given the rapid rise in technology in the automotive world, this is the future of automotive keys. And you can expect it to only get more expensive and complicated. Take a look at what BMW is coming out with in this article on their new 7-Series cars (which run about $1000!). All-American Lock and Key will strive to keep pace with these new technologies to keep our customers rolling.

Accessories

We also can provide a variety of specialty accessories that can be keyed to match your vehicle called Bolt Lock from Strattec, the leader in the automotive key industry. Product can range from Padlocks, 6 ft. Cable Locks, 5/8 and 1/2″ Receiver Locks, Coupler Pin Locks, Jeep Locks, Toolbox Latch Retro-Fit Kits, and even GM Tailgate handles. Here’s a video of how Boltlock works

​*Any keys ordered after 3 pm Central time may not arrive next day.

**All prices are subject to year, make, and model of vehicle. Please make sure to verify the year of the vehicle. Manufacturers change key protocols and programming requirements often and may differ from one year to the next. If you need to verify the year, please go to www.decodethis.com and enter your 17 digit VIN for more information. Bolt Locks are a product of Strattec Aftermarket Solutions. Please visit www.boltlock.com for specific vehicle applications and descriptions.