Cost of Replacement Car Keys
It's a huge trouble to lose your car keys. And, the cost of replacing them can be a significant expense.
Calling an auto locksmith is the cheapest and most efficient method to replace your car key. You can also request your keys copied at a specialist dealer, but they will charge you more.
Year & Make a Car
The days when a lost car key was not a big issue are long gone. Keys for modern cars that are more sophisticated, are expensive to purchase. Losing your smart key could cost you up to $350.
Modern cars utilize electronic fobs and keys that allow you to open doors and start the engine. Keys and fobs which are electronic devices in miniature size with a battery and circuitry are connected to the vehicle. This is a complicated procedure that requires specialized tools and knowledge to master.
There are many ways to save money on replacement keys for your vehicle. Comparing prices and features of keys will help you get an idea of much you'll have to pay for new keys.
The year and make of your car will have a major effect on the price of the new keys you purchase. Many modern cars come with transponder chips that must be connected by an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a time-consuming and expensive process.
Older cars and keys without transponder chips will be much cheaper to replace. Additionally, you can often save money on replacement car keys by using a third-party service or purchasing your new key online.
You may also want to think about buying an portable GPS device like Tile or AirTag which can assist you in finding your car keys should they are lost. These devices attach directly to your keys, and can be easily used with a smartphone application.
It's important to remember that misplacing or losing your keys to your car can be costly, and it's recommended to keep a spare in your vehicle at all times. If you don't own a spare key, check with your dealer to find out whether they offer a free replacement program. This could be part of the warranty for your vehicle, or as an extra roadside assistance feature. These programs can pay for replacement car keys that can be as high as $400 per year. They're well worth the peace of mind they offer.
Technology Type
While remote fobs and keys for cars may look like simple pieces of metal, they're actually miniature electronic devices. They're more complex than they appear. This makes them expensive to replace.
The kind of key you're using will also impact the amount it will cost you to purchase a replacement. Key fobs with standard locks are inexpensive to duplicate, but they're not as durable as modern models that include an additional layer of security. These keys have a special head with a chip which communicates with the computer in the car. A duplicate key will not function without the chip, even having the same ridges and grooves as the original. The keys are more expensive than the conventional ones due to the fact that they require two steps in laser cutting and programming your key to your vehicle.
In certain situations, a locksmith will need to disassemble the transponder chip in order to program it correctly. This is a dangerous job that should be handled only by a professional locksmith. The process can be long and costly should they need to replace any other parts, including the housing that holds the chip.
For the most current model automobiles, you'll need bring your vehicle to a dealership to have a new key programed to your vehicle. You'll need evidence of ownership, such as your registration papers or title documents. Also, you'll need wait a few days for the dealer to order the new key for your vehicle and then pair it with your current one.
Genesky claims that he is able to do the key cutting and programming for customers who have older European vehicles in his shop for around $200-$250. However, he is forced to deny customers who have the most recent models of cars since there isn't the costly equipment to program keys for them. It's important to choose a local dealership or locksmith that is able to handle any kind of vehicle and provides a variety of services. This will ultimately help you save money in the long run when it comes to fixing and replacing your lost or stolen car keys.
Where You Live
The location of your house can affect the price that a locksmith or auto dealer will charge to replace keys. Prices are higher in large cities than those in smaller towns or rural areas. This is because a service provider will travel further to get to you, which translates to greater cost.
The timing and location of the loss can also affect the cost. If you lose your keys on the night of a holiday or during the night it can add to the overall price. You may also be charged for the inconvenience of waiting longer for a technician.
The type of key you have can also impact the cost. 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 more expensive.
Some of these high-tech keys need to be programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. This can take up to an hour or more of time and is another reason why the cost will be more expensive than a basic key.
Older vehicles without transponder chips or standard keys will cost less to get a new one. Standard key cutting usually only requires a look at the cut marks on the ignition or using the VIN number to determine which key is right for the car.
A lot of these keys require that they be paired with the computer of the vehicle to unlock the door and then start the engine. If you've lost your keys and are unable locate them, you could try calling the car dealership you bought the car however that isn't always an option.
Based on your insurance policy, it may be possible to make a claim to pay for the replacement key or key fob. Roadside assistance companies such as AAA could also be able to help, but they will likely only provide the basic key, and not the advanced technology.
Security Features
Losing your car keys can be a huge hassle however, it also presents an opportunity for someone else to steal your vehicle. This is a risk all drivers must face. It's important to budget for the cost of replacing a car key.
The cost of replacing keys is determined by a variety of factors. This includes the year and make of your vehicle, the level of sophistication the key technology is, and the security features that are included in the keys. You should also consider whether you would like to utilize an emergency roadside assistance program, such as AAA. This can add to the cost of replacing your lost key.
It is much less expensive to replace the traditional metal keys to cars without transponders. They can be duplicated at a hardware store for less than $10. However, a newer smart key must be connected with your vehicle and then programmed by an auto locksmith or dealership. This could cost as much as $200 or more.
Key fobs are available in many vehicles that communicate with the computer in the vehicle using radio frequency identification. cost of car key replacement are difficult to duplicate and are designed to stop theft. The cost of replacing keys like these could be up to $500 or more.
You can also attach an RFID tracker to your keychain in the event that you misplace it. These are usually small devices that are available from most hardware stores, and they can be used with an app to track the location of your lost key. While they may add to the overall cost of replacing e keys, they can be an affordable and efficient solution for the majority of people.
In the past the time of losing your car keys could be a major issue and put you out of money for a while. Today, however, most of us are more technologically advanced than our grandparents did back in their time, and losing your keys could be a big hassle, but it doesn't have to break the bank to get back on the road.