10 Facts About Cost Of Replacement Car Key That Will Instantly Put You In The Best Mood
Cost of Replacement Car Keys
It's a huge hassle to lose your car keys. The cost of replacing them is also a major expense.
The easiest and cheapest way 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 and Make of the Vehicle
Long gone are the days when a lost car key wasn't such a big deal. Today's cars are more advanced and, as a result, their keys are more expensive to replace. In fact, if you lose your smart key or fob, it could cost up to $350.
Modern vehicles make use of electronic keys and fobs to open doors and start engines. Keys and fobs are tiny electronic devices equipped with circuitry, a battery and transponder chips that are all connected to the vehicle you have chosen. This is a sophisticated procedure that requires special tools and training to master.
There are many ways to save money on car keys replacement . Comparing the prices of keys and features will give you a an idea of much you will spend on new keys.
One of the most important factors that can affect the price of the replacement car keys is the year and make of the vehicle. Many modern cars come with transponder chips that need to be paired by an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a lengthy and costly procedure.
Keys that are older and that do not have transponder chips are much cheaper to replace. You can also save money by buying online or using 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 should they are lost. These devices attach directly to your keys and can be easily used by using a smartphone app.
Remember that losing or misplacing your car keys could cost you money. It is recommended to always carry a spare. If you don't have a spare key, check with your dealer whether they have a no-cost replacement program. It could be a part of the vehicle warranty or an additional roadside assistance feature. These programs will provide up to $400 in replacement car key costs each year, and are well worth it for the peace of mind they provide.
Technology Type
While car keys and remote fobs may look like simple pieces of metal, they're actually tiny electronic devices. Therefore, there's a lot more to them than meets the eye -- which makes them costly to replace.
The type of key that you own will also affect the cost of a replacement. Key fobs with standard locks are inexpensive to duplicate, however they're not as durable as the modern ones that come with an additional layer of security. These keys have a special head with a chip that communicates to the computer in the car. A duplicate key won't work without the chip even having the same ridges and grooves as the original. They are more expensive than conventional keys since they require two steps to make the key: laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle.
In some cases the locksmith might need to disassemble the transponder in order to set it up correctly. This is a risky job that should only be carried out by a locksmith with special training. The process can be time-consuming and expensive when they need to replace any other parts including the housing that houses the chip.
For the most recent models of cars, you'll need to bring your vehicle to the dealership to have a new key programmed to your vehicle. This requires you to show proof of ownership such as the title or registration papers. You'll also have to wait until the dealer orders and connect a new key with the key you have already.
Genesky says he can usually program keys and cut for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for around $200-$250. He has to turn away customers who have the latest models of cars because there isn't the costly equipment required to program their keys. It is important to choose a local dealership or locksmith that can handle any type of vehicle and offers various services. This will help you save money in the long run when it comes time to replace or repair your car keys.
Where You Live
The location of your home can affect the price that a locksmith or auto dealer charges to replace keys. Prices are higher in large cities than those in smaller towns or rural areas. This is because the service provider needs to travel farther to get to you, which results in more expensive costs.
Another factor that can impact the cost of replacing your car keys is the time and place you lose your keys. If you lose your keys on an evening or on a holiday this will increase the total cost. You could also be charged due to the inconvenience of waiting longer for a technician to show up.
The kind of key you own will also affect the price. Certain cars only have basic mechanical keys or standard keys, while others have transponder chips, key fobs or smart keys. The cost of replacing keys with more advanced technology will be higher.
Certain of these high-tech keys must 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 price will be higher than a standard key.
People who own older cars with standard keys that don't contain transponder chips typically pay less for the purchase of a new key. Key cutting is a standard procedure that typically requires reading the cut marks on the ignition or the VIN number to determine which key is right 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 aren't able to locate them, call the dealership where you bought your car however that isn't always an option.
If your insurance policy is in place It may be possible to make a claim to cover the cost of an alternative key or fob. Roadside assistance companies such as AAA might also be able of assistance but they'll only provide a basic key and not the advanced technology.
Security Features
It can be a major inconvenience to lose your car keys however, it also gives thieves the chance to take your vehicle. While this is a risk all drivers face, 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 keys replacement. These include the year and make of your vehicle, the level of sophistication the key technology is, and the security features in the keys. You should also consider whether you'd like to use an emergency roadside assistance program, like AAA. This could increase the cost of replacing your lost key.
Traditional metal car keys which don't have transponder chips are much less expensive to replace. They can be duplicated at a hardware shop for less than $10. A newer smart key must be programmed and paired to your vehicle by an auto locksmith. This can cost up to $200 or more.
Key fobs are available in many vehicles that communicate with the car's computer via radio frequency identification. These keys are much harder to duplicate, and they are designed to guard against theft. The cost to replace keys of this kind could be as high as $500 or more.
You could also add a tracker to your keychain in the event that you lose it. These small devices can be bought at most hardware stores and used with an app to track your lost key. While they can add to the total 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 an enormous inconvenience and could have put you out of pocket for a short time. Today, however, most of us have more technology than our grandparents did in their day, and misplacing your keys is an enormous hassle but it doesn't need to cost you a fortune to get back behind the wheel.