Cost of Replacement Car Keys
The loss of your car keys can be an immense problem. Even worse, the cost of replacing them could be a significant expense.
Calling an auto locksmith is the most affordable and quickest method of replacing your car key. You can also have your keys copied by professional dealers, but they typically increase the cost.
Year and Make of Vehicle
The days when losing a car key was not an issue are long gone. Nowadays, cars are more advanced, and that means their keys are more expensive to replace. In fact when you lose your smart key or fob it could cost you up to $350.
This is because modern cars make use of electronic keys and fobs to open doors and start engines. Keys and fobs, which are electronic devices of a tiny sizes, with circuitry and a battery are connected to the vehicle. This is a difficult procedure that requires special tools and training.
There are many ways to save money on replacement keys for your vehicle. By comparing the prices of keys and features prior to purchasing you will be more aware of the amount you can expect to pay for your new keys.
The year and the make of your car will have a major effect on the cost of the new keys you purchase. Many modern cars come with transponder chips which need to be connected with an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a time-consuming and costly procedure.
It will be cheaper to replace older cars and keys that do not contain transponder chips. You can also save money by buying online or using a third-party service to replace the keys to your car.
You should consider purchasing an portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you locate your car keys in the event that they are lost. These devices are attached directly to your keys, and are easily accessible by using a smartphone app.
Keep in mind that losing or misplacing keys to your car could cost you money. It is recommended to always have a spare. If you don't have a spare key, check with your dealer to see whether they have a no-cost replacement program. This could be part of the warranty for your vehicle or as an additional roadside assistance option. These programs can provide up to $400 in key replacement costs per year and are well worth it for the security they offer.
Technology Type
While remote fobs and keys for cars might appear to be simple pieces of metal, they're actually tiny electronic devices. Therefore, they're more complicated than they appear. This means they're expensive to replace.
The type of key you're using can affect how much it will cost to get the replacement. Standard key fobs can be duplicated relatively cheaply, but are not as durable as modern models that come with an extra layer of security. These keys have a special head that has a chip that communicates with the computer in the car. A duplicate key will not function without the chip, even in the event that it has the same grooves and ridges as the original. Keys with chips are more expensive than traditional ones because they require two steps in cutting the laser and programming your key to your vehicle.
In certain situations, the locksmith may need to disassemble the transponder to programme it correctly. This is a risky job that should be performed only by a locksmith who has specialized training. The process could be extremely long and costly should they need to replace any other part such as the housing that houses the chip.
You'll need to take your car to a dealer to have a key programmed. You will need to provide evidence of ownership like your registration papers or title documents. Additionally, you'll need to wait a few days for the dealer to purchase the new key for your vehicle and pair it with your existing one.
Genesky says he is able to do the key programming and cut keys for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for about $200-$250. However, he is forced to deny customers who have the latest model cars because there isn't the costly equipment needed to program their keys. It's important to choose a local locksmith or dealership that is able to handle any kind of vehicle and offers a variety of services. 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 of your house will affect the cost that a locksmith or auto dealer will charge to replace keys. If you live in a large city the costs are likely to be higher than if you live in rural or a small town region. This is because the service provider has to travel further to reach your location, which means more expensive costs.
Another aspect that could affect the cost of car key replacement is when and where you lose your keys. If you lose your keys during an evening or on a holiday it can add to the total cost. There is a chance that you will be charged due to the inconvenience of waiting longer for a technician to show up.
The type of key that you own can also impact the cost. Some cars have only basic mechanical keys or standard keys whereas others include transponder chips, key fobs, or smart keys. Keys which are more technologically advanced will cost more to replace.
Some of these high tech keys require programming by an auto locksmith or dealer. It could take up to an hour or longer and is one of the reasons why a high-tech lock will cost more than a basic one.
Older vehicles without transponder chips or standard keys will cost less to buy a new key. Standard key cutting usually requires reading the cuts on the car's ignition or using the VIN number to identify the right key for the vehicle.
Many of these keys require that they are paired with the car's computer in order to unlock the door and then start the engine. You can contact the dealership that sold you your car if you're in a position to locate your keys. However it's not always the case.
Depending on your insurance policy, it may be possible to submit a claim to them to cover the cost of the replacement key or key fob. Roadside assistance companies such as AAA may also be able to assist but they'll only offer an entry level key and not the advanced technology.
Security Features
Losing your car keys could be a huge hassle, but it's also an opportunity for someone else to steal your car. While this is a risk that all drivers face, it's important to know the cost of replacing the car keys to be able to budget for it.
There are many factors that affect the cost of keys replacement. This includes the year and model of your vehicle, how advanced the key technology is and the security features that are included in the keys. It's also important to consider whether you'd like to use an emergency roadside assistance program like AAA which can increase the cost of replacing the lost key.
Traditional metal car keys that don't have transponder chips are a lot less expensive to replace. They can be duplicated in a hardware store for less than $10. A newer smart key must be programmed and linked to your vehicle by an auto locksmith. This could cost as much as $200 or more.
Many cars now come with key fobs that utilize radio frequency identification to connect with your vehicle's computer. They are more difficult to duplicate and are specifically designed to stop theft. The cost of replacing keys like these could be up to $500 or more.
You could also add a tracker to your keychain in the event that you lose it. These are usually small devices that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores and they can be used in conjunction with an app that can track the location of your lost key. While they can add to the total cost of replacing e keys, they are an affordable and efficient solution for most people.
In the past, losing your car keys could be a major hassle and could have cost you money for a time. Nowadays, however, the majority of us have more technology than our grandparents did back in their time, and losing your keys could be an issue, but it doesn't have to cost you a fortune in order to get back behind the wheel.