Cost of Replacement Car Keys
It's a huge problem to lose your car keys. The cost of replacing them can be a significant expense.
The simplest and most affordable method to replace your car keys is to contact an auto locksmith. You can also have your keys copied by professional dealers, but they often charge extra.
Year and Make a Car
It's been a long time since when a lost car key wasn't an issue. Nowadays, 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 cars make use of electronic keys and fobs to unlock doors and start engines. Keys and fobs are tiny electronic devices with circuitry, batteries and transponder chip that are all paired with the vehicle you have chosen. This is a complex process that requires specialized tools and training.
There are ways to save money on replacement keys for your vehicle. Comparing key prices and features will help you get an idea of much you'll have to have to pay for new keys.
One of the main factors that affect the price of your replacement car keys is the year and make of your car. Many newer vehicles have advanced transponder chips that require to be connected to the car by a dealer or auto locksmith which is a costly and time-consuming procedure.
It's cheaper to replace older vehicles and keys that do not contain transponder chips. You can also save money by buying online or using a third-party service to replace your car keys.
Consider buying an portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you find your car keys in case they are lost. These devices are attached to your keys and are easy to use via a smartphone app.
It's important to keep in mind that losing or misplacing your keys to your car can 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 checking with your dealership to see if they have an opportunity to replace your keys for free as part of your vehicle's warranty and roadside assistance additional add-ons or an extended bumper-to-bumper insurance. These programs can pay for replacement car keys up to $400 per year. They're worth the security they offer.
Technology Type
Although keys to cars and remote controls may appear to be ordinary metal pieces, they are actually miniature electronic devices. Therefore, they're more complicated than they appear. This means they're expensive to replace.
The type of key that you have will also impact the cost of replacement. Key fobs with standard locks are inexpensive to duplicate, however they're not as robust as the modern models that include an additional layer of security. They have a unique head with a chip that communicates with the car's computer. A duplicate key won't function without the chip, even having the same ridges and grooves as the original. Keys with chips are more expensive than conventional ones due to the fact that they require two steps that include laser cutting and programming your key to your vehicle.
In certain situations, a locksmith will need to remove the transponder chip to program it correctly. This is a hazardous task that should only be done by a locksmith with specialized training. The process could be extremely time-consuming and expensive if they have to replace any other part including the housing that holds the chip.
For the most recent models of cars, you'll need to bring your vehicle into the dealership to have a new key programmed to your vehicle. It will be necessary to show evidence of ownership, like your registration or title papers. Also, you'll need to wait for the dealer to make an order and match a new key to your existing key.
Genesky says that he's able to do the key programming and cut for customers with older European vehicles at his shop for about $200-$250. However, he is forced to turn away clients with the newer models because there isn't the costly equipment to program keys for them. This is the reason it's essential to locate a local locksmith or dealer that provides an array of services and can work with any kind of vehicle. This will save you money on the long-term when it's time to replace or repair your keys to your car.
Where You Live
The place you live will affect the price a locksmith or car dealer will charge for key replacement. If you live in a major city, the prices are likely to be higher than if you live in a small town or rural region. This is because the service provider will travel further to get to you, which results in more expensive costs.
The date and time of the loss may also affect the cost. If you lose your keys during the night of a holiday or during the night, it will add to the overall price. You might also be charged additional to cover the inconvenience of waiting longer for a service technician to show up.
The type of key you have will also affect the price. Certain cars have only basic mechanical keys or standard keys, whereas others are equipped with transponder chips, a key fob or smart keys. The cost of replacing keys with more advanced technology will be higher.
Some of these high-tech keys need to be programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. vehicle key replacement can take up to an hour or more and is another reason the cost will be higher than a standard key.
For those with older vehicles with standard keys that don't contain transponder chips typically pay less for a new key. Standard key cutting usually only requires a glance at the cut marks on the ignition or using the VIN number to determine which key is appropriate for the vehicle.
Most keys require that they are connected to the car's computer in order to unlock the doors and start the engines. If you've lost your keys and are unable locate them, you could call the dealership where you bought your car however that isn't always an option.
You may be able to make an insurance claim to replace a fob or key, depending on your insurance policy. Roadside assistance companies such as AAA could also be able of assistance but they'll only offer an entry level key and not the advanced technology.
Security Features
It can be a major inconvenience to lose your car keys, but it also gives an individual the chance to rob your vehicle. While this is a danger that all drivers are exposed to it's crucial to know the cost of car key replacement to be able to budget for it.
The cost of replacing keys is determined by a variety of factors. This includes the year and make of your vehicle, how advanced the key technology is and the security features included in the keys. It is also important to think about whether you'd like to utilize 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 come with transponder chips are a lot less expensive to replace. They can be duplicated at a hardware shop for less than $10. A newer smart lock must be programmed and connected to your vehicle by an auto locksmith. This can cost up to $200 or more.
Many cars are now equipped with key fobs that use radio frequency identification to connect with the computer in your car. These keys are difficult to copy and are designed to stop theft. The cost to replace these types of keys could be up to $500 or more.
You can also opt to have a tracker added to your keychain to assist you to locate it in case you lose it. These tiny devices can be bought at most hardware stores and used with an app to track the lost keys. While they can increase the overall cost of replacing e keys, they can be an affordable and efficient solution for the majority of people.
In the past the past, losing a set of car keys was a big inconvenience and could have put you out of pocket for some time. Nowadays, we are more technologically advanced than in the past, so losing your keys can be a major issue. However, it doesn't have to be expensive to get you back behind the wheel.
