10 Quick Tips For Cost Replacement Car Key
Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key
It is important to be aware of the costs involved when you lose your car key. You can copy a standard key from any hardware store, but an electronic key will require you to visit a dealership or locksmith.
But, if the fob is damaged but does not require changing its programming, there are ways to reduce costs.
1. Type of Key
Car keys have a strange ability to disappear in unexpected places. They can be difficult to locate, no matter if they disappear from your purse when you're out shopping, end up stuck between the couch cushions, or fall into the crack in the back of your car. In the past, you could simply go to your local auto locksmith or hardware store and purchase a new replacement.
These days however, it can be quite costly in the case of a vehicle equipped with the latest technology, such as key fob technology and push-to-start. Key fobs and remote transmitters used in these systems are small electronic devices, and they're packed with electronics that can cause them to be expensive to replace if you lose them.
This is why you should consider obtaining an insurance replacement for your key fob plan, which covers up to $400 per lost or stolen key. These plans typically cover just a fraction of cost of replacement, and offer unlimited replacements for lost or stolen keys as well as other benefits like towing and roadside assistance.
The kind of key you're using also impacts the cost, with some types being more costly to replace than others. Basic metal keys without key fobs for instance are relatively inexpensive as they're mechanical, and can be replaced by a professional mechanic or locksmith. However, if your key is equipped with transponder chips, it will require specialized equipment to copy. These machines are only available from car manufacturers or dealerships and are a significant element in the price.
Laser cut keys are a different factor that could increase the cost of a replacement car key, since they are typically more substantial than regular car keys. They are made from metal that is molded into the desired shape, and then cut using lasers that are precisely calibrated to ensure an exact fit.
2. Key Fob
In the past, losing your car keys was a nuisance. A car dealer or locksmith could offer keys to replace them that was likely to be affordable. However since auto key replacement G28 Car Keys have become more technologically advanced, so too have their keys, and this means that replacing a lost one can be much more expensive than it was in the past.
Key fobs were popular in the 90s as an added feature that allowed car owners to lock and unlock their car without a physical key. The small plastic fobs come with a button which when it is pressed by the user signals the onboard computer to lock or unlock the vehicle. Some include a button that allows you to activate the vehicle's alarm system or open the trunk.
A key that is not fitted with a fob is akin to those made before the '90s, and it can be cut by an auto locksmith for a small fee. Some locksmiths can even replace a lost fob while you wait.
It can be more costly to replace a fob that has an electronic chip or transponder than if it was merely an ordinary one. Reprogramming and pairing these can cost upwards of $200 and are only available from the original car dealer.
Many companies that deal with cars, such as auto repair shops and dealerships might end up with a lot of spare fobs. Some of them are accessible to the general public, while others require special equipment or technical knowledge to program. This is not something that the average person could do. This is why it's always recommended to keep an extra car key in your purse or pocket, and add GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your policy to make it more convenient in the event that you need to use it.
3. Laser Cut Keys
Contrary to traditional mechanical keys laser-cut keys have deeper grooves and ridges. This makes them harder for car thieves to steal.
They also have slits that are inserted into both sides of the blade, which allows them to be inserted into the door and ignition cylinder lock from either direction. These are the most well-known car keys on the market today. They are more popular than traditional key fobs due to the fact that they provide a higher degree of security and ease of use.
If you're considering having a laser-cut key made for your vehicle, it's important to make sure that the company cutting keys has the appropriate equipment. You'll get a key which doesn't work properly when you don't. You must also be aware of the quality of the blade, since poor quality blades can cause damage to the key cutting machine or even break inside your ignition cylinder.
The locksmith will require your vehicle identification number (VIN) to cut a laser-cut key. Once they have your VIN, they can run the information through a computer to find the specifications of your vehicle. Then, they'll use the CNC to cut the key in accordance with these specifications.
They require specialized machinery to create, and are usually only available at dealerships. They are less expensive than traditional key fobs however, they also have the added benefit of being hard to duplicate.
For a typical all-in-one laser-cut key you'll probably have to pay between $150 and $250 for labor costs. This is because these kinds of keys must be programmed by the dealership. They are nevertheless one of the most secure and reliable keys for cars available today.
4. Switchblade Keys
Modern cars typically have key fobs that are able to lock and unlock doors as well as start the engine. Contrary to the older mechanical keys which work mechanically and are easily duplicated by locksmiths or key cutters the newer keys for cars contain transponder chips that must be connected with the vehicle by a dealer or auto locksmith. These keys are more expensive. They vary from $50 to $100 for the basic model up to $200 for models that include push-to-start functions.
Fobs with what's referred to as a switchblade, which folds into itself when not in use, typically cost more to replace. They have shanks that retract into the fob, and then release when required. They are more secure than standard keys, making them an ideal choice for those who need an extra key for valet use. The cost of replacing these keys ranges from $100 to $300 depending on the car and the type.
These electronic keys are lighter and easier to use than the old crank keys, which were heavy, complicated and hazardous to use. They also make it more difficult for thieves to steal them, because they are cylindrical. This prevents the use of key duplicate machines used by criminals to copy your car key.
These wholly electronic car keys communicate electronically to open doors and begin the engine. Some are even able to do so without being removed from the driver's pocket. These keys are costly to replace and will require an appointment with a dealer, which could include a towing charge.
5. Transponder Keys
Unlike mechanical keys, transponder keys are equipped with a chip inside them that relays an audio frequency signal to the car when it is inserted into the ignition. The computer system of the vehicle scans the signal to determine if the serial number matches that of the key. If it does, the car will let the key unlock the door and begin the engine. This is done to avoid car thefts by making it harder to hot-wire a car and also to start the engine.
Theoretically, this technology is effective, but smart car thieves constantly find ways to defeat it. The chips inside these keys are also not as durable as many would think. They can be destroyed quickly, which could result in the key not working at all.
The cost of replacing transponder keys could be high. The key blank itself can cost as much as $50 and then there's the cost of having it programmed. This requires an exclusive machine that is only available at dealerships for cars.
It is therefore recommended to find a locksmith professional who has the equipment for programming transponder key. It is also recommended to have all the details of your vehicle in order, including the year model, make and year of the vehicle. This will ensure that the right key blank is used, and will save you money over time. A locksmith can program a transponder key typically for $150, however for push-to-start cars with key fobs and remote transmitters it could cost as high as $180. These keys require a specialized service that can only be done by a licensed locksmith.