Cost of Replacement Car Keys
It's a huge hassle to lose your car keys. The cost of replacing them is a major expense.
Contacting an auto locksmith is the cheapest and easiest way to replace your car key. You can also have your keys copied by professional dealers, but they often charge extra.
Year and Make of Vehicle
The days when losing a car key was not a big issue are long gone. Keys for modern automobiles, which are more sophisticated, are expensive to buy. In fact when you lose your fob or smart key, it could cost up to $350.
Modern cars use electronic fobs and keys to open doors and start engines. The keys and fobs are miniature electronic devices equipped with circuitry, a battery and transponder chips all connected to your specific vehicle. This is a complicated process that requires special tools and training to master.
Fortunately, there are car key replacements to save money on replacement car keys. Comparing key prices and features can help you to get an idea of much you'll spend on new keys.
One of the main factors that determine the cost of the replacement car keys is the year and model of the vehicle. Many newer cars have transponder chips which need to be paired with an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a lengthy and costly process.
It will be cheaper to replace older vehicles and keys that do not have transponder chips. Additionally you could save money on car keys replacement by using a third-party service or purchasing a new key online.
Consider buying a portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you locate your car keys in the event they go missing. These devices are attached directly to your keys and can be easily used with a smartphone application.
Keep in vehicle key replacement that the loss or misplacement of keys to your car could be costly. It is best to always have an extra. If you don't have an extra, it's worth consulting your dealer to see if they have an opportunity to replace your keys for free as part of your warranty on your vehicle, roadside assistance extra add-ons, or an extended bumper-to-bumper protection. car key replacements can provide up to $400 in replacement car key costs each year and are worth the assurance they offer.
Technology Type
While keys to cars and remote controls may appear to be ordinary metal objects, they're actually miniature electronic devices. Therefore there's more to them than what's apparent -- which is why they're expensive to replace.
The type of key that you have will also impact the cost of a replacement. Key fobs of the standard type are able to be duplicated for a reasonable price, but are not as durable as modern models with an extra layer of security. They come with a specific key head with a small chip that communicates with the car's computer system to ensure the key is legitimate. Without the chip, a duplicate key won't work even if the ridges and grooves are the same as the original. Keys with chips are more expensive than traditional ones because they require two steps: cutting with lasers and programming your key to your vehicle.
In some instances, a locksmith will need to disassemble the transponder chip in order to program it correctly. This is a risky job that should only be carried out by a locksmith with special training. The process can be very lengthy and costly should they need to replace other parts including the housing that holds the chip.
For the most recent model automobiles, you'll need bring your car into an auto dealer to get a new key programmed to your vehicle. This requires you to provide evidence of ownership, like the title or registration papers. You'll also need to wait until the dealer orders and pair a new key with your current key.
Genesky says he can usually program keys and cut for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for around $200-$250. However, he must deny customers who have the latest model cars because he doesn't have the expensive equipment to program their keys. It is essential to select a local locksmith or dealership who can deal with any kind of vehicle and provides a variety of services. This will help you save money in the long run when it's time to replace or repair your lost car keys.
Where You Live
When you live can impact the price the locksmith or dealer will charge for key replacement. Prices are higher in larger cities than in smaller towns or rural areas. This is due to the fact that a service provider must travel farther to reach you, which means higher prices.
The date and time of the loss can be a factor in the price. If you lose your keys on the night of a holiday or during the night, it will add to the total cost. There may be a charge for the inconvenience of waiting longer for a technician to arrive.
The type of key you have will also affect the price. Some cars have only basic mechanical keys or standard keys while others have transponder chips, key fobs, or smart keys. The cost of replacing keys using higher-tech keys will be more expensive.
Some of these high tech keys require to be programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. This can take up to an hour or more and is another reason why the cost will be higher than for a basic key.
For those with older vehicles with standard keys that do not contain transponder chips typically pay less for an entirely new key. Standard key cutting usually requires reading the cut marks on the ignition of the car or using the VIN number to determine the correct key for the vehicle.
Most keys require that they are connected to the computer in the vehicle to open the doors and start the engines. If you have lost your keys and are unable to locate them, contact the dealership that you purchased the car but that's 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. Assistance companies for roadside emergencies like AAA could also be able of assistance however, they'll likely only provide an entry level key and not the advanced technology.
Security Features
It can be a major inconvenience to lose your car keys however, it also gives someone the opportunity to steal your vehicle. This is a danger that all drivers have to face. It's crucial to budget for the cost of replacing a car key.
The cost of replacement keys is determined by a variety of factors. This includes the year and model of your vehicle, how sophisticated the technology used to make keys is, and the security features included in the keys. It is also important to consider whether you'd prefer to utilize an emergency roadside assistance service like AAA. This could increase the cost of replacing the key you lost.
Traditional keys made of metal that don't have a transponder chip in them are much cheaper to replace. They can be duplicated at a hardware store for less than $10. A newer smart lock must be programmed and connected to your vehicle by an auto locksmith. This can cost up to $200 or more.
Key fobs are available in many cars that communicate with the car's computer via radio frequency identification. These keys are more difficult to copy, and they are designed to guard against theft. The cost to replace these types of keys could be up to $500 or more.
You can also opt to add a tracker to your keychain in order to help locate it in the event that you lose it. These tiny devices are available at many hardware stores and can be can be used with an app that tracks your lost key. While they can increase the overall cost of replacing e keys, they can be an affordable and effective solution for most people.
In the past the time of losing your car keys could have been a major inconvenience and could have cost you money for a few days. Nowadays, we have more technology than in the past, so losing your keys is a major issue. But it doesn't need to be expensive to get you back on the road.