Cost of Replacement Car Keys
It's a big trouble to lose your car keys. Even worse, the cost of replacing them could be a major expense.
The easiest and cheapest way to replace your car keys is to contact an auto locksmith. You can also get your key copied by specialist dealers, but they often increase the cost.
Year and Make a Car
Long gone are the days when a simple lost car key wasn't a big deal. Nowadays, cars are more advanced and, as a result, keys are more expensive to replace. In fact in the event that you lose your smart key or fob, it could cost up to $350.
Modern cars use electronic fobs and keys to unlock doors and begin the engine. Keys and fobs which are electronic devices of a miniature size with circuitry and a battery are connected to the vehicle. This is a complex procedure that requires special tools and training.
There are a variety of ways to save money on replacement car keys. By comparing prices for keys and features before you buy you will be better informed about the price you can expect to spend on new keys.
One of the biggest factors that will influence the cost of the replacement car keys is the year and make of your vehicle. Many modern cars come with transponder chips that must be paired by an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a lengthy and expensive process.
It's cheaper to replace older cars and keys that do not have transponder chips. You can also save money by purchasing online or using a third party service to replace your car keys.
You may also want to think about buying an portable GPS device such as Tile or AirTag which can help you locate your car keys in case they are lost. These devices attach directly to your keys and are easily accessible with a smartphone application.
It's important to keep in mind that losing or misplacing keys to your car can be costly, and it's recommended to keep an extra key on hand at all times. If you don't have an extra key, you should consider consulting your dealer to see if it offers the option of a key replacement program for free as part of your warranty on your vehicle and roadside assistance additional add-ons or a longer bumper-to-bumper coverage. These programs may provide replacement car keys of up to $400 per year. They're worth the peace-of-mind they provide.
Technology Type
While car keys and remote fobs might appear to be simple pieces of metal, they're actually miniscule electronic devices. As such there's more to them than meets the eye and this is why they're expensive to replace.
The type of key that you own will also affect the cost of replacing it. Standard key fobs can be duplicated relatively cheaply however they aren't as durable as newer models with an extra layer of security. These keys have a special head with a chip that communicates to the computer in the car. A duplicate key will not work without the chip even having the same ridges and grooves as the original. These keys are more expensive than the conventional ones due to the fact that they require two steps: cutting with lasers and programming your key to your vehicle.
In certain situations the locksmith might need to remove the transponder from its socket to programme it correctly. This is a risky job that should only be carried out by a locksmith with specialized training. If they have to replace other parts, such as the housing that houses a chip, the process is time-consuming and expensive.
For the most recent models of automobiles, you'll need bring your car into an auto dealer to get an updated key programmed to your vehicle. It will be necessary to provide evidence of ownership, like your registration or title papers. Also, you'll need wait a few days until the dealer can order the new key for your car and match it with your existing one.
Genesky says that he can do the key cutting and programming for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for around $200-$250. However, he has to refuse customers with newer models because there isn't the costly equipment to program keys for them. This is why it's crucial to find a local locksmith or dealership that offers many services and can accommodate any kind of vehicle. This will save you money on the long-term when it comes time to replace or repair your keys to your car.
Where You Live
The location you live in can affect the price a locksmith or car dealer charges for key replacement. Prices are higher in large cities than in small towns or rural areas. This is because the service provider must travel further to reach you, which means higher cost.
Another aspect that could affect the cost of replacing your car keys is the time and place you lose your keys. If you lose your keys during an evening or on a holiday this will increase the overall price. You could also be charged additional for the inconvenience of waiting longer for a technician to arrive.
The type of key you have will also influence the cost. Certain cars only have basic mechanical keys or standard keys while others include transponder chips, key fobs, or smart keys. Those keys which are more technologically advanced will cost more to replace.
Certain of these high-tech keys require programming by a dealership or auto locksmith. This can take up to an hour or more and is another reason why the cost is more expensive than a basic key.
For those with older vehicles with standard keys that don't include transponder chips, will usually pay less for an entirely new key. Key cutting is a standard procedure that typically requires a look at the cuts on the ignition of the vehicle or using a VIN number to determine the correct key for the vehicle.
Many of these keys require that they are paired with the vehicle’s computer in order to unlock the doors and start the engines. If you've lost your keys and are unable to locate them, try calling the car dealership you bought the car, but that is not always an option.
Depending on your insurance policy, it may be possible to file a claim with them to cover the cost of an alternative key or fob. Roadside assistance companies like AAA might be able to assist with this but they'll probably only offer a basic key, and not more sophisticated technology.
Security Features
It's an enormous inconvenience to lose your car keys, but it also gives thieves the chance to take your vehicle. While this is a danger that every driver faces it's important to understand the cost of replacing the car keys so that you can budget for it.
There are many factors that impact the price of replacement keys. The cost of replacement keys is influenced by a variety of aspects, including the year and model of your car, the technology used in the key, as well as the security features. It is also important to consider whether you'd like to use an emergency roadside assistance service such as AAA. This could increase the cost of replacing your lost key.
It is much less expensive to replace traditional car keys without a transponder. These can usually be duplicated at a hardware store for less than $10. However, a smarter key has to be linked with your vehicle and then programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. This could cost as much as $200 or more.
car fob key replacement are available in many cars that connect to the car's computer via radio frequency identification. These keys are harder to duplicate and are specifically designed to stop theft. The cost of replacing keys like these can be up to $500 or more.
You may also choose to add a tracker to your keychain in order to help locate it should you lose it. These tiny devices can be purchased at many hardware stores and can be can be used with an app to track your lost key. They can add to the cost of replacing electronic keys, however, they are a reasonable and effective option for most people.
In the past the past, losing a set of keys to your car was an enormous hassle and could have left you out of pocket for some time. Nowadays, we have more technology than we did in the past, so losing your keys can be a major issue. But it doesn't have to be costly to get back behind the wheel.