Cost of Replacement Car Keys
It's a major hassle to lose your car keys. And, the cost of replacing them can be a major expense.
The simplest and most affordable method to replace your car keys is to call an auto locksmith. You can also request your key copied by an authorized dealer, but they'll charge more.
Year & Make a Vehicle
Long gone are the days when a simple lost car key wasn't such an issue. Today's cars are more advanced and keys are more expensive to replace. Losing your smart key could cost you up to $350.
Modern cars use electronic fobs and keys that allow you to open doors and start engines. Keys and fobs, which are electronic devices of a tiny sizes, with a battery and circuitry are connected to the vehicle. This is a difficult process that requires specialized tools and training.
There are ways to save money on replacement keys for your car. By comparing key prices and features prior to buying you will be more informed about the price you can anticipate spending on new keys.
One of the biggest factors that will influence the cost of the replacement car keys is the year and the make of the vehicle. Many modern cars come with transponder chips that need to be paired with an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a time-consuming and costly procedure.
It's cheaper to replace older cars and keys that do not contain transponder chips. In addition that you will often save money on new car keys through a third-party service or purchasing a new key on the internet.
Consider purchasing a portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you locate your car keys in case they are lost. These devices can be attached directly to your keys, and can be easily used with a smartphone application.
It's important to remember that misplacing or losing your car keys can be costly, so it's recommended to keep an extra key with you at all times. If you don't have a spare, it's worth consulting your dealer to see if it offers a free key replacement program as part of your vehicle's warranty, roadside assistance extra add-ons or a longer bumper-to-bumper coverage. These programs provide up to $400 worth of cost of replacement keys for your car each year and are worth it for the assurance they offer.
Technology Type
While car keys and remote fobs might appear like basic pieces of metal, they're actually tiny electronic devices. As such there's more to them than what's apparent -- and this makes them expensive to replace.
The type of key that you have will also influence the cost of a replacement. Standard key fobs can be duplicated relatively cheaply, but are not as durable as the latest models with an extra layer of security. These keys come with a specific head with a chip which communicates to the car's computer. A duplicate key will not function without the chip, even having the same grooves and ridges as the original. These are much more expensive than traditional keys due to the fact that they require two steps to make laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle.
In some instances the locksmith may have to disassemble the transponder in order to program it properly. This is a hazardous task that should only be performed by a professional locksmith. The process can be very long and costly when they need to replace any other part such as the housing that holds the chip.
You'll need to take your car to a dealer to have an ignition key programmed. You will need to provide evidence of ownership like your registration documents or title documents. You'll also need to wait for the dealer to make an order and connect a new key with the key you have already.
Genesky says that he's able to complete key programming and cut keys for customers who have older European vehicles in his shop for around $200-$250. Genesky is forced to turn away customers with the latest models of cars as there isn't the expensive equipment needed to program their keys. It's important to choose an auto dealer or locksmith that is able to handle any kind of vehicle and provide a variety of services. This will save you money in the long-term when it comes time to replace or repair your keys to your car.
Where You Live
The location of your home can affect the price that a locksmith or auto dealer charges to replace the key. Prices are higher in large cities than those in smaller towns or rural areas. This is due to the fact that the service provider must travel farther to get to you and this translates into higher costs.
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 a holiday or at night this will increase the total cost. There is a chance that you will be charged additional due to the inconvenience of having to wait longer for a service technician to show up.
The type of key you're using can also impact the cost. Certain cars have only basic mechanical keys or standard keys, whereas others have transponder chips, key fob, or smart keys. The cost of replacing keys with higher-tech keys will be more expensive.
Certain of these keys require programming by a dealership or auto locksmith. This can take up to an hour or more of time and is a reason why the cost will be higher than a standard key.
Older cars that do not have transponder chips and standard keys will cost less to get an updated key. Standard key cutting typically only requires reading the cut marks on the ignition of the vehicle or using the VIN number to identify the right key for the vehicle.
A lot of these keys require that they be paired with the car's computer in order to unlock the door and then start the engine. If you've lost your keys and aren't able to locate them, you could contact the dealership that you purchased your car but that's not always an option.
Based on your insurance policy It may be possible to file a claim with them to pay for a replacement key or key fob. Roadside assistance companies like AAA might be able to assist with this but they'll probably only give a simple key and not the more sophisticated technology.
Security Features
Losing your car keys can be a huge inconvenience however, it also presents an opportunity for someone else to steal your car. While this is a danger that every driver faces it's crucial to know the cost of replacing the car keys to be able to budget for it.
The cost of replacing keys is affected by several factors. These include the year and model of your vehicle, the level of sophistication 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 add to the overall cost of replacing keys that have been lost.
It is much less expensive to replace traditional keys for cars without a transponder. They can be duplicated at a hardware store for less than $10. A newer smart key has to be programmed and paired to your vehicle by an auto locksmith. It could cost you $200 or more.
Key fobs are available in many cars which communicate with the vehicle's computer using radio frequency identification. They are more difficult to copy and are designed to stop theft. They can cost up to $500 or more.
You can also add an RFID tracker to your keychain in the event that you lose it. car key replacement near me are usually small devices that can be bought from most hardware stores, and they can be used in conjunction with an app to monitor the location of your lost key. While they may add to the total cost of replacing e keys, they are an affordable and effective solution for the majority of people.
In the past, losing a set of keys to your car was an enormous inconvenience and could have put you out of pocket for a short time. Nowadays, we have more technology than in the past, so losing your keys can be a hassle. However, it doesn't have to be costly to get back on the road.