Cost of Replacement Car Keys
Losing your car keys is a huge problem. The cost of replacing them is an expense of a major magnitude.
Contacting an auto locksmith is the cheapest and easiest way to replace your car key. You can also have your key copied by an authorized dealer, but they will charge you more.
Year and Make a Car
Long gone are the days when a lost car key wasn't a big deal. Nowadays, cars are more advanced and their keys are more expensive to replace. Losing your smart key could cost you as much as $350.
Modern cars use electronic fobs and keys to open doors and begin the engine. Keys and fobs which are electronic devices in miniature size with a battery and circuitry, are paired with the vehicle. This is a complex process that requires specialized tools and training.
There are a variety of ways to save money on car keys replacement. Comparing key prices and features will help you get an idea of how much you'll have to have to pay for new keys.
One of the most important factors that will affect the price of your replacement car keys is the year and make of your car. Many newer cars have transponder chips that need to be connected with an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a time-consuming and costly process.
It is cheaper to replace older cars and keys that do not have transponder chips. You can also save money by buying online or utilizing a third party service to replace the keys to your car.
You may also want to think about buying a portable GPS device like Tile or AirTag that can aid you in finding your car keys if they get lost. These devices are attached to your keys and are simple to use via the smartphone app.
Be aware that losing or misplacing keys to your car could cost you money. It is best to always have a spare. If you don't own a spare key, check with your dealer whether they offer a free replacement program. It could be a part of the warranty for your vehicle or as an additional roadside assistance add-on. These programs can pay for replacement car keys of up to $400 per year. They're worth the peace-of-mind they provide.
Technology Type
While remote fobs and car keys may look like simple pieces of metal, they're actually miniature electronic devices. Therefore, they're more complicated than they appear. This means they're costly to replace.
The type of key you have will also impact the amount it will cost you to purchase an alternative. automotive car key replacement are relatively inexpensive 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 authenticity of the key. A duplicate key cannot work without the chip even if it has the same grooves and ridges as the original. Keys with chips are more expensive than the conventional ones due to the fact that they require two steps that include laser cutting and programming your key to your vehicle.
In some cases, the locksmith may need to disassemble the transponder in order to program it properly. This is a hazardous task that should be handled only by a professional locksmith. The process can be very time-consuming and expensive should they need to replace any other parts such as the housing that houses the chip.
You'll have to take your car to a dealer to get the key programmed. You will need to provide evidence of ownership like your registration documents or title documents. You'll also have to wait until the dealer orders and connect a new key with the key you have already.
Genesky says that he can cut keys and programming for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for $200-$250. Genesky is forced to turn away customers with the latest models of cars because he does not have the equipment that is expensive to program their keys. It is important to choose an auto dealer or locksmith that is able to handle any kind of vehicle and provide a variety of services. This will ultimately aid you in saving money in the end in the process of repairing and replacing your keys that were stolen or lost from your vehicle.
Where You Live
The location of your house will affect the cost the locksmith or auto dealer will charge to replace keys. If you live in a city that is large, the prices are likely to be higher than if you live in an isolated town or rural region. This is because a service provider has to travel farther to reach you, which means higher costs.
The timing and location of the loss may be a factor in the price. The cost of a replacement key will increase if you lose them during holidays or during the night. You could also be charged for the inconvenience of waiting longer for a technician.
The kind of key you own can also impact the cost. Certain cars only have basic mechanical keys or standard keys while others have transponder chips, keys fobs or smart keys. The cost of replacing keys using modern 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 and is another reason why the cost will be higher than a standard key.
Older cars that do not have transponder chips and standard keys will cost less to get a new key. Standard key cutting typically only requires reading the cut marks on the car's ignition or using a VIN number to identify the correct key for the car.
Many of these key types require pairing with the car's computer in order to unlock the door and start the engine. If you have lost your keys and are unable to locate them, you could call the dealership where you bought your car however that isn't always an option.
Depending 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 might also be able to help however, they'll likely only offer an entry level key and not the latest technology.
Security Features
The loss of your car keys can be a huge hassle however it can also be an opportunity for someone to steal your car. This is a danger that all drivers have to face. It's important to budget for the cost of a new key.
There are many factors that impact the price of replacement keys. The cost of replacement keys is influenced by a variety of factors, including the year and model of your car and the technology utilized in the key, and security features. It is also important to think about whether you'd like to use an emergency roadside assistance program like AAA which could make a difference in the total cost of replacing keys that have been lost.
Traditional metal car keys that don't have a transponder chip in them are much cheaper to replace. They can be duplicated at a hardware store for less than $10. On the other hand, a smarter key needs to be paired with your vehicle and programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. It could cost you $200 or more.
Key fobs are now available in many cars that communicate with the car's computer via radio frequency identification. These keys are much harder to copy, and they are designed to prevent theft. The cost of replacing keys like these can be as high as $500 or more.
You could also add an electronic tracker to your keychain in case you misplace it. These are usually small devices that are available from a variety of hardware stores and can be used with an app to monitor the location of your lost key. They can add to the cost of replacing e-keys but they are an affordable and practical option for most people.
In the past the past, losing a set of keys to your car was a major issue and could have pushed you out of pocket for some time. Most of us today have more technology than we did in the past, so losing your keys can be a major issue. But it doesn't have to be costly to get back on the road.