Cost of Replacement Car Keys
It's a huge trouble to lose your car keys. And, the cost of replacing them could be a significant expense.
Calling an auto locksmith is the cheapest and easiest way to replace your car key. You can also get your key cloned by specialist dealers, but they usually charge extra.
Year & Make a Vehicle
The days of having a lost car key was not a big issue are long gone. Keys for modern cars, which are more sophisticated, are more expensive to buy. In fact when you lose your fob or smart key, it could cost up to $350.
Modern cars utilize electronic fobs and keys that allow you to open doors and begin the engine. The keys and fobs are tiny electronic devices with circuitry, batteries and transponder chips all paired with the vehicle you have chosen. This is a complex procedure that requires special tools and training.
There are many ways to save money on replacement keys for your car. Comparing prices and features of keys will give you a a better idea of how much you'll have to have to pay for new keys.
The year and the make of your vehicle will have a major impact on the cost of the new keys you purchase. Most modern vehicles come with high-tech transponder chips that need to be linked to the car by a dealer or auto locksmith this is a costly and time-consuming process.
It will be cheaper to replace older vehicles and keys that don't contain transponder chips. Additionally, you can often save money on car keys replacement by using a third-party provider or purchasing your new key online.
Consider purchasing a portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you locate your car keys in the event they go missing. These devices can be attached to your keys and are easy to use via the smartphone app.
It's important to keep in mind that misplacing or losing your keys to your car can be costly, and it's recommended to keep an extra key in your vehicle at all times. If you don't have an extra, it's worth checking with your dealership to see if they have the option of a key replacement program for free as part of the warranty for your vehicle or roadside assistance add-ons or a longer bumper-to-bumper protection. These programs will provide up to $400 worth of cost of replacement keys for your car each year, and are well worth the assurance they offer.
Technology Type
Although keys for cars and remotes might appear to be basic metal pieces, they're actually miniature electronic devices. Therefore they have more to them than what's apparent and this is why they're expensive to replace.
The kind of key you're using can affect how much it will cost to purchase an alternative. Key fobs that are standard are cheap to duplicate, but they're not as durable as modern models that include an additional layer of security. They have a unique key head that has a tiny chip that communicates with the car's computer to ensure the authenticity of the key. Without the chip, a duplicate key won't function even when the ridges and grooves are identical to the original. They are more expensive than conventional keys since they require two steps: laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle.
In car key replacement may have to disassemble the transponder to program it properly. This is a risky job that should be performed only by a locksmith who has specialized training. If they are required to replace other parts, such as the housing that houses chips, the process could be lengthy and costly.
You'll need to take your vehicle to a dealer to have a key programmed. This requires you to show proof of ownership, such as your registration or title documents. You'll also need to wait for the dealer to make an order and pair a new key with your existing key.
Genesky says that he can do the key cutting and programming for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for $200-$250. However, he must turn away clients with the newer models because he doesn't have the expensive equipment to program their keys. This is why it's important to locate a local locksmith or dealer that can provide an array of services and can accommodate any kind of vehicle. Ultimately, this will help you save money in the end when it comes to fixing and replacing lost or stolen car keys.
Where You Live
When you live can impact the amount a locksmith or car dealer will charge for key replacement. The prices are higher in big cities than in smaller towns or rural areas. This is due to the fact that a service provider will travel further to reach you, which translates to greater cost.
The date and time of the loss could be a factor in the price. If you lose your keys during the night of a holiday or during the night it can add to the overall price. There may be a charge for the inconvenience of waiting for a technician.
The kind of key you own will also affect the price. Certain cars only have basic mechanical keys or standard keys whereas others have transponder chips, key fobs or smart keys. Keys that are more advanced in technology will cost more to replace.
Some of these high-tech keys require to be programmed by an auto locksmith or dealership. It could take up to about an hour or more, and is one of the main reasons why a high-tech key may cost more than a standard one.
Older cars that do not have transponder chips or standard keys will cost less to get a new one. Standard key cutting usually only requires reading the cut marks on the ignition or the VIN number to determine which key is appropriate for the car.
Many of these keys require that they are connected to the car's computer for unlocking the doors and start the engines. If you lost your keys and are unable to locate them, contact the dealership that you purchased your car from, but that is not always an option.
Depending on your insurance policy depending on your insurance policy, it could be possible to file a claim with them to pay for an alternative key or fob. Companies offering roadside assistance such as AAA might also be able to help however, they'll likely provide the basic key, and not the most advanced technology.
Security Features
It can be a major inconvenience to lose your car keys, but it also gives someone the opportunity to steal your vehicle. This is a danger that all drivers are required to take. It's crucial to budget for the cost of a new car key.
There are several factors that influence the cost of replacement keys. This includes the year and make of your vehicle, how sophisticated the key technology is and the security features included in the keys. It is also important to consider whether you would like to use an emergency roadside assistance program, like AAA. This can increase the cost of replacing the key you lost.
Traditional car keys made of metal which don't have a transponder chip in them are much cheaper to replace. They can be duplicated in a hardware store for less than $10. A newer smart key must be programmed and connected to your vehicle by an auto locksmith. This can cost as much as $200 or more.
Many cars now come with key fobs that use radio frequency identification to communicate with your vehicle's computer. These keys are harder to copy and are made to guard against theft. Keys can cost $500 or more.
You can also add a tracker to your keychain in the event that you lose it. These are usually small devices that are available from a variety of hardware stores and can be used in conjunction with an app that can track the location of your lost keys. While they can increase the overall cost of replacing e keys, they can be an affordable and efficient solution for most people.
In the past the time of losing your car keys could be a major issue and cost you money for a few days. Today, however, most of us are more technologically advanced than our grandparents had in their day, and misplacing your keys could be an issue, but it doesn't have to cost you a fortune in order to get back on the road.