Cost of Replacement Car Keys
The loss of your car keys can be an enormous trouble. And, the cost of replacing them can be a major expense.
The easiest and cheapest way to replace your car keys is to call an auto locksmith. You can also have your key copied by specialist dealers, but they often upcharge.
Year and Make of Vehicle
Long gone are the days where a single lost car key wasn't such a big deal. Nowadays, cars are more advanced and, as a result, keys are more expensive to replace. In fact, if you lose your fob or smart key, it could cost up to $350.
Modern cars utilize electronic fobs and keys that allow you to open doors and begin the engine. The keys and fobs, which are electronic devices in tiny sizes, with a battery and circuitry, are paired with the vehicle. This is a complicated procedure that requires specific tools and training.
There are a variety of ways to save money on new car keys. By comparing prices for keys and features prior to buying you will be more informed about the price you can expect to pay for your new keys.
One of the most important factors that determine the cost of the replacement car keys is the year and the make of your car. Many newer vehicles have high-tech transponder chips that need to be connected to the car by a dealer or auto locksmith which is a costly and time-consuming process.
Older cars and keys without transponder chips will be more affordable to replace. You can save money by purchasing online or using a third party service to replace keys to your car.
You should consider purchasing a portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you find your car keys in the event they are lost. These devices can be attached directly to your keys and can be easily used by using a smartphone app.
Keep in mind that losing or misplacing your keys to your car can be expensive. It is recommended to always have a spare. If you don't have an extra key, you should consider consulting your dealer to see if they have a free key replacement program as part of your warranty on your vehicle or roadside assistance add-ons, or an extended bumper-to-bumper insurance. These programs will pay for replacement car keys of up to $400 per year. They're well worth the security they offer.
Technology Type
While remote fobs and keys for cars may look like simple pieces of metal, they're actually tiny electronic devices. As such they have more to them than meets the eye -- which makes them expensive to replace.
The type of key you're using can affect how much it will cost you to purchase the replacement. Key fobs that are standard are cheap to duplicate, but they're not as durable as modern ones that come with an additional layer of security. These have a special key head that has a small chip in it that communicates with the car's computer to ensure the key is valid. Without the chip the duplicate key will not work even in the event that the grooves and ridges are the same as the original. These keys are more expensive than traditional keys due to the fact that they require two steps laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle.
In some cases the locksmith will have to disassemble the transponder chip in order to program it correctly. This is a dangerous job that should only be carried out by a locksmith with specialized training. The process can be very time-consuming and expensive when they need to replace any other part such as the housing that holds the chip.
You'll have to take your car to a dealer to have an ignition key programmed. It will be necessary to show proof of ownership, such as your registration or title papers. Also, you'll need wait a few days for the dealer to order an additional key for your car and match it with the existing one.
Genesky says he's able to cut keys and programming for customers who have older European vehicles in his shop for around $200-$250. Genesky is forced to turn away customers who have the latest models of cars because they don't have the equipment that is expensive to program their keys. It is important to choose an auto dealer or locksmith that can handle any type of vehicle and provide a variety of services. This will save you money in the long run when it's time to replace or repair your lost car keys.
Where You Live
The location of your house will affect the cost the locksmith or auto dealer will charge to replace a key. Prices are higher in larger cities than those in smaller towns or rural areas. This is due to the fact that a service provider will travel further to reach you, which translates to higher cost.
Another factor that can affect the cost of replacing car keys is the time and location you lose your keys. If you lose your keys during the night of a holiday or during the night, it will add to the total cost. You could also be charged for the inconvenience of waiting longer for a technician.
The type of key you have will also affect the price. 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 more advanced technology will be higher.
Some of these high tech keys require programming by an auto locksmith or dealership. This can take an hour or longer and is one of the reasons why a high-tech key will cost more than a basic one.
Older cars without transponder chips and standard keys will cost less to buy a new one. Standard key cutting typically requires a glance at the cut marks on the ignition or using the VIN number to determine which key is suitable for the car.
A lot of these keys require pairing with the vehicle's computer to unlock the door and then start the engine. If you've lost your keys and are unable to locate them, you could contact the dealership you bought your car however that isn't always an option.
Based on replacement key for car cost may be possible to make a claim to cover the cost of an alternative key or fob. Roadside assistance companies such as AAA could also be able to assist but they'll provide the basic key, and not the latest technology.
Security Features
It's a huge inconvenience to lose your car keys however, it also gives an individual the chance to rob your vehicle. While this is a danger that all drivers are exposed to it's crucial to know the cost of replacing the car keys to ensure you have enough money for it.
The cost of replacement keys is affected by several factors. These include the year and make of your vehicle, how advanced the key technology is and the security features that are included in the keys. It is also important to think about whether you want to use an emergency roadside assistance service like AAA, which can add to the overall cost of replacing a lost key.
It is much less expensive to replace traditional keys for cars without a transponder. They can typically be copied at a hardware store for less than $10. A newer smart lock must be programmed and linked to your vehicle by an auto locksmith. This can cost up to $200 or more.
Key fobs are now offered in many vehicles which communicate with the computer in the vehicle using radio frequency identification. These keys are difficult to copy and are designed to stop theft. They can cost up to $500 or more.
You may also choose to have a tracker added to your keychain in order to help locate it in the event that you lose it. These small devices can be purchased at most hardware stores and used with an app that tracks the lost keys. While they can increase the total cost of replacing keys, they can also be an affordable and effective solution for the majority of people.
In the past, losing a set of car keys was a big inconvenience and could have put you out of pocket for a period of time. Today, we have more technology than we did in the past, so losing your keys is an issue. However, it doesn't have to be costly to get back behind the wheel.