Cost of Replacement Car Keys
Losing your car keys is an immense hassle. Even worse, the cost of replacing them can be a major expense.
The easiest and cheapest way to replace your car keys is to contact an auto locksmith. You can also request your key copied by a specialist dealer, but they will charge you more.
Year & Make of Vehicle
The days are long gone when a lost car key wasn't an issue. Today's cars are more advanced and, as a result, keys are more expensive to replace. Losing your smart key could cost you as much as $350.
Modern vehicles make use of electronic fobs and keys to open doors and start engines. Keys and fobs are electronic devices equipped with circuitry, a battery and transponder chip that are all linked to your vehicle's specific model. key replacements for cars is a complex process that requires specialized tools and training.
Fortunately, there are ways to save money on new car keys. By comparing key prices and features before you buy, you can 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 significant impact on the price of your new replacement keys. Many newer vehicles have high-tech transponder chips that have to be linked to the car by a dealer or auto locksmith, which is an expensive and time-consuming procedure.
Older cars and keys with no transponder chips will be more affordable to replace. In addition you could save money on car keys replacement through a third-party service or purchasing your new key on the internet.
You might also consider buying a portable GPS device such as Tile or AirTag that will help you locate your car keys should they are lost. These devices are attached to your keys and are easy to use via the smartphone app.
It's important to keep in mind that misplacing or losing keys to your car could be costly, so it's recommended to keep a spare with you at all times. If you don't have a spare, it's worth visiting your dealer to see if they have a free key replacement program as part of your vehicle's warranty and roadside assistance additional add-ons, or an extended bumper-to-bumper insurance. These programs can cover replacement car key costs up to $400 per year. They are well worth the peace of mind they offer.
Technology Type
Although car keys and remote controls may appear to be ordinary metal pieces, they're actually electronic devices in miniature form. Therefore, they're more complicated than they appear. This means they're costly to replace.
The type of key that you have will also influence the cost of replacing it. Standard key fobs are able to be duplicated for a reasonable price however they aren't as durable as the latest models that come with an extra layer of security. Read Webpage have a special key head that has a tiny chip that communicates with the car's computer system to ensure the authenticity of the key. A duplicate key won't function without the chip, even if it has the same grooves and ridges as the original. These keys are more expensive than traditional keys because they require two steps the key: laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle.
In some instances the locksmith might need to remove the transponder from its socket to program it properly. This is a dangerous job that should be performed only by a locksmith who has specialized training. If they have to replace other components such as the housing which houses a chip, the process is time-consuming and expensive.
For the most recent models of automobiles, you'll need bring your car into the dealership to have a new key programed to your vehicle. You will need to provide evidence of ownership, such as the registration papers or title documents. Also, you'll need to wait for the dealer to order and connect a new key with the key you have already.
Genesky says he's able to do the key cutting and programming for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for around $200-$250. Genesky is forced to turn away customers with the latest models of cars as he does not have the costly equipment required to program their keys. This is why it's important to find a locksmith in your area or dealer that provides many services that can be adapted to any kind of vehicle. This will help you save money in the long run when it's time to replace or repair your keys to your car.
Where You Live
When you live can impact the price the locksmith or dealer charges for key replacement. If you live in a large city the costs are likely to be higher than if you lived in an isolated town or rural region. This is due to the fact that a service provider will travel further to get to you, which means greater cost.
Another factor that can impact the cost of replacing car keys is the time and place you lose your keys. If you lose your keys on a holiday or at night this will increase the overall price. You could also be charged additional for the inconvenience of waiting longer for a technician to arrive.
The type of key you have will also influence the cost. Some cars only have basic mechanical keys, or standard keys, while others are equipped with transponder chips, key fob, or smart key. Keys that are more technologically advanced will cost more to replace.
Certain of these keys require programming by an auto locksmith or dealer. It could take up to about an hour or more, and is one of the main reasons why a high-tech lock will cost more than a basic one.
Older cars without transponder chips or standard keys are less expensive to purchase a new key. Key cutting is a standard procedure that typically requires a glance at the cut marks on the ignition or using the VIN number to determine which key is right for the car.
Many of these keys require that they be connected to the car's computer to open the doors and start the engines. You can call the dealership from which you bought your vehicle if you are not able to locate your keys. However, this is not always feasible.
You may be able to file an insurance claim for a replacement fob or key, based on your insurance policy. Roadside assistance companies such as AAA may also be able to assist, but they will likely only provide the basic key, and not the advanced technology.
Security Features
It's an enormous inconvenience to lose your car keys, but it also gives an individual the chance to rob your vehicle. This is a danger that all drivers are required to take. It's important to budget for the cost of a new key.
The cost of replacing keys is determined by a variety of factors. These include the year and model of your vehicle, the level of sophistication the technology used to make keys is, and the security features that are included in the keys. It is also important to think about whether you'd like to utilize an emergency roadside assistance service such as AAA which could add to the overall cost of replacing the lost key.
Traditional car keys made of metal that don't have transponder chips are a lot less expensive to replace. They can be duplicated at a hardware shop for less than $10. A newer smart key has to be programmed and linked to your vehicle by an auto locksmith. This could cost as much as $200 or more.
Key fobs are now offered in many vehicles that connect to the computer in the vehicle using radio frequency identification. These keys are much harder to duplicate, and they are designed to guard against theft. The cost of replacing these types of keys could be as high as $500 or more.
You can also add an RFID tracker to your keychain in case you misplace it. These are typically small devices that are available from most hardware stores, and can be used in conjunction with an app that can track the location of your lost keys. They can increase the cost of replacing electronic keys, however, they are a reasonable and practical option for most people.
In the past when you lost your keys to your car was an enormous issue and could have pushed you out of pocket for a short time. Nowadays, however, the majority of us are more technologically advanced than our grandparents had in their time, and losing your keys can be a big hassle but it doesn't need to cost you a fortune in order to return to driving.