Cost of Replacement Car KeysLosing your car keys is an immense problem. And, the cost of replacing them can be a significant expense.
The most cost-effective and easiest method to replace your car keys is to contact an auto locksmith. You can also request your keys copied at an authorized dealer, but they'll charge you more.
Year & Make a Vehicle
The days when a lost car key was not a big issue are long gone. 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 to open doors and start engines. The keys and fobs, which are electronic devices of a tiny sizes, with circuitry and a battery are connected to the vehicle. This is a difficult process that requires specialized tools and training.
Fortunately, there are ways to save money on new car keys. Comparing the prices of keys and features can help you to get a better idea of how much you'll have to spend on new keys.
One of the biggest factors that will affect the price of your replacement car keys is the year and model of the vehicle. Most modern vehicles come with high-tech transponder chips that need to be paired with the car by a dealer or auto locksmith this is a costly and time-consuming procedure.
Keys that are older and with no transponder chips will be more affordable to replace. You can also save money by purchasing online or using a third party service to replace keys to your car.
You should consider purchasing an portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you find your car keys in the event they get lost. These devices can be attached to your keys and are simple to use with a smartphone app.
Remember that the loss or misplacement of keys to your car could be costly. It is recommended to always carry an extra. If you don't own an extra key, you should check with your dealer if they offer a free replacement program. This could be part of the vehicle warranty or as an additional roadside assistance option. These programs will cover up to $400 in replacement car key costs each year and are worth the assurance they offer.
Technology Type
While remote fobs and car keys may look like simple pieces of metal, they're actually tiny electronic devices. As such there's more to them than meets the eye and this is why they're expensive to replace.
The type of key you're using will also impact the amount it will cost to purchase the replacement. Key fobs with standard locks are cheap to duplicate, but they're not as robust as the newer models that have an additional layer of security. They have a unique head with a chip that communicates with the
car key button replacement's computer. A duplicate key cannot work without the chip even in the event that it has the same grooves and ridges 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 certain situations the locksmith may have to remove the transponder from its socket to set it up correctly. This is a risky job that should be handled only by a professional locksmith. The process could be extremely long and costly when they need to replace other parts, including the housing that holds the chip.
You'll have to take your car to a dealer to get a key programmed. This requires you to present proof of ownership, like your registration or title documents. You'll also have to wait for the dealer to make an order and connect a new key with your current key.
Genesky claims that he is able to do the key cutting and programming for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for around $200-$250. He has to turn away customers who own the latest models of cars because there isn't the equipment that is expensive to program their keys. It's important to choose a local locksmith or
cost of replacement car keys dealership who can deal with any kind of vehicle and provide a variety of services. In the end, this will save you money in the long run when it comes to fixing and replacing keys to your car that have been stolen or lost.
Where You Live
The location of your house will affect the cost a locksmith or auto dealer charges to replace a key. The prices are higher in big cities than in smaller towns or rural areas. This is because a service provider will travel farther to reach you, which translates to higher costs.
The date and time of the loss could also affect the cost. The cost of replacing a key will increase if you lose them during holidays or at night. You could also be charged for the inconvenience of having to wait longer for a technician to arrive.
The type of key you're using will also influence the cost. Some cars only have basic mechanical keys, or standard keys, while others are equipped with transponder chips, a key fob, or smart key. Those keys that are more advanced in technology will cost more to replace.
Some of these high-tech keys require programming by a dealership or auto locksmith. This could take about an hour or more, and is one of the main reasons why a high-tech key will cost more than a standard one.
Older vehicles without transponder chips and standard keys will cost less to get an updated key. Standard key cutting usually requires reading the cut marks on the ignition of the vehicle or using the VIN number to determine the correct key for the vehicle.
Most keys require that they be connected to the car's computer in order to unlock the doors and start the engines. It is possible to contact the dealership where you purchased your vehicle if you are not able to locate your keys. However it's not always feasible.
Depending on your insurance policy depending on your insurance policy, it could be possible to make a claim to pay for the replacement key or key fob. Assistance companies for roadside emergencies like AAA may be able to assist with this, although they will probably only give a simple key and not the more sophisticated technology.
Security Features
It's an enormous inconvenience to lose your car keys, but it also gives thieves the chance to take your vehicle. While this is a risk that all drivers are exposed to, it's important to know the cost of car key replacement to be able to budget for it.
There are a variety of factors that influence the cost of replacement keys. This includes the year and make of your vehicle, the level of sophistication the key technology is and the security features included in the keys. You should also consider whether you'd like to utilize an emergency roadside service, like AAA. This can increase the cost of replacing the key you lost.
Traditional metal car keys which don't have a transponder chip in them are much cheaper to replace. They can be copied at a hardware store for less than $10. A newer smart key must 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 a variety of cars which communicate with the car's computer via radio frequency identification. They are a lot more difficult to duplicate, and they are designed to stop theft. The cost to replace these types of keys could be up to $500 or more.
You can also add an RFID tracker to your keychain in the event that you misplace it. These are usually small devices that can be purchased from most hardware stores, and can be used in conjunction with an app to monitor the whereabouts of your lost key. While they can increase the overall cost of replacing keys, they can be an affordable and efficient solution for most people.
In the past, losing a set of keys to your car was a major inconvenience and could have put you out of pocket for some time. Most of us today have more technology than we did in the past, and so losing your keys can be a major issue.