Cost of Replacement Car Keys
Losing your car keys is an immense hassle. And, 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 often charge extra.
Year & Make a Car
The days when losing a car key was not an issue are long gone. The keys of today's cars that are more sophisticated, are more expensive to purchase. The loss of your smart key could cost you up to $350.
Modern vehicles utilize electronic keys and fobs to unlock doors and start engines. Keys and fobs are tiny electronic devices with circuitry, a battery and transponder chips that are all paired with your specific vehicle. This is a complicated procedure that requires special tools and a thorough understanding of.
Fortunately, there are ways to save money on replacement car keys. By comparing the prices of keys and features prior to buying you will be better aware of the amount you can expect to spend on new keys.
The year and the make of your vehicle will have a major impact on the cost of your new replacement keys. Many newer cars have transponder chips that must be paired with an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a lengthy and expensive procedure.
It's cheaper to replace older vehicles and keys that don't have transponder chips. In addition, you can often save money on replacement car keys by using a third-party provider or purchasing a new key online.
You may also want to consider buying an portable GPS device such as Tile or AirTag which can help you locate your car keys should they are lost. These devices attach directly to your keys, and can be used with a smartphone application.
It's important to remember that misplacing or losing your car keys can be costly, and it's best to have an extra set of keys on hand at all times. If you don't own an extra key, make contact with your dealer whether they have a no-cost replacement program. It could be a included in the warranty of your vehicle or as an additional roadside assistance feature. These programs can provide replacement car keys of up to $400 per year. They're well worth the security they offer.
Technology Type
Although car keys and remote controls might appear to be basic metal objects, they're actually tiny electronic devices. In this way there's more to them than what's apparent and this makes them costly to replace.
The kind of key you're using can affect how much it will cost to get a replacement. Key fobs of the standard type can be duplicated relatively cheaply, but are not as durable as the latest models that have an additional layer of security. These keys have a special head with a chip which communicates with the computer in the car. Without the chip the duplicate key will not work, even when the ridges and grooves are identical to the original. These keys are more expensive than the traditional ones because they require two steps in laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle.
In certain situations a locksmith may need to remove the transponder chip to program it correctly. This is a risky job that should only be carried out by a locksmith who has specialized training. The process can be time-consuming and expensive if they have to replace any other part such as the housing that holds the chip.
For the most current model automobiles, you'll need bring your car into a dealership to have a new key programed to your vehicle. You'll need proof of ownership such as the registration papers or title documents. You'll also need to wait until the dealer orders and match a new key to your existing key.
Genesky says he can usually do the key programming and cut keys for customers who have older European vehicles at his shop for between $200 and $250. However, he has to deny customers who have the newer models because they don't have the high-priced equipment to program keys for them. This is the reason it's essential to find a local locksmith or dealership that offers a wide range of services and can accommodate any kind of vehicle. This will save you money in the long-term when it comes time to replace or repair your car keys.
Where You Live
The location of your house can impact the price that a locksmith or auto dealer will charge to replace keys. If you reside in a large city it is likely to be more expensive than if you resided in an isolated town or rural area. This is because the service provider needs to travel further to get to you, which results in higher costs.
Another aspect that could affect the cost of replacing your car keys is when and where you lose your keys. The cost of replacing a key is higher if you lose them during the weekend or during the night. You may also be charged for the inconvenience of waiting longer for a technician.
The kind of key you own will also influence the cost. Some cars have only basic mechanical keys or standard keys whereas others have transponder chips, key fobs, or smart keys. The cost of replacing keys with more advanced technology will be higher.
Some of these high tech keys require to be programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. This can take about an hour or more, and is one of the main reasons why a high-tech lock will cost more than a standard one.
Older vehicles without transponder chips and standard keys will cost less to buy a new one. Standard key cutting typically only requires reading the cut marks on the ignition of the vehicle or using a VIN number to identify the right key for the car.
Many of these keys require that they be paired with the vehicle's computer to unlock the door and start the engine. If you've lost your keys and are unable locate them, contact the dealership that you purchased your car from, but that is not always an option.
If your insurance policy is in place 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 to assist, but they will likely only provide the basic key, and not the most advanced technology.
automotive key replacement Features
The loss of your car keys can be a huge hassle however it can also be an opportunity for someone to steal your vehicle. This is a danger that all drivers have to face. It's important to budget for the cost of a new key.
The cost of replacing keys is influenced by a variety of factors. This includes the year and make of your vehicle, how sophisticated the key technology is, and the security features included in the keys. It's also important to decide whether you want to use an emergency roadside assistance service like AAA which could add to the overall cost of replacing a lost key.
Traditional keys made of metal that don't have a transponder chip in them are much cheaper to replace. They can typically be copied at a hardware store for less than $10. On the other hand, a smarter key has to be linked with your vehicle and programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. It could cost you $200 or more.
Key fobs are now offered in many vehicles that communicate with the computer in the vehicle using radio frequency identification. These keys are harder to copy and are made to guard against theft. The cost to replace keys of this kind could be up to $500 or more.
You can also opt to have a tracker added to your keychain in order to help locate it in case you lose it. These small devices can be bought at many hardware stores and can be used with an app that tracks your key that you lost. While they may add to the total cost of replacing e keys, they can be an affordable and effective solution for the majority of people.
In the past, losing your car keys could be a major hassle and cost you money for a time. Today, however, most of us are more technologically advanced than our grandparents had in their time, and losing your keys could be an issue but it doesn't need to cost you a fortune to get back behind the wheel.