12 Companies Leading The Way In Cost Of Replacement Car Key
Cost of Replacement Car Keys
The loss of your car keys can be an enormous problem. And, the cost of replacing them can be a significant expense.
Contacting an auto locksmith is the cheapest and quickest method of replacing your car key. You can also get your keys copied at an authorized dealer, but they will charge you more.
Year and Make of vehicle
The days of having a lost car key was not an issue are over. Modern cars are more sophisticated, and that means keys are more expensive to replace. Losing your smart keys could cost you as much as $350.
Modern cars utilize electronic fobs and keys that allow you to open doors and start engines. Keys and fobs are miniature electronic devices with circuitry, batteries and transponder chip that are all connected to the vehicle you have chosen. This is a complicated procedure that requires special tools and training.
There are ways to save on replacement keys for your vehicle. By comparing the prices of keys and features prior to buying you will be better informed about how much to expect to pay for your new keys.
The year and make of your car will have a major effect on the cost of the new keys you purchase. A lot of newer vehicles have transponder chips that must be connected by an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a time-consuming and expensive process.
It will be cheaper to replace older vehicles and keys that don't contain transponder chips. Additionally, you can often save money on new car keys by using a third-party provider or buying your new key on the internet.
You might also consider buying an portable GPS device like Tile or AirTag that will help you locate your car keys if they get lost. These devices can be attached to your keys and are easy to use with an app for smartphones.
It's important to keep in mind that losing or misplacing your car keys can be costly, and it's advisable to keep an extra key on hand at all times. If you don't own a spare key, check with your dealer whether they have a no-cost replacement program. This could be part of the warranty for your vehicle, or as an extra roadside assistance add-on. These programs will cover up to $400 in key replacement costs per year and are worth it for the security they offer.
Technology Type
While keys to cars and remote controls may appear to be simple metal pieces, they're actually electronic devices in miniature form. In this way there's more to them than meets the eye -- which makes them costly to replace.
The type of key that you have will also influence the cost of a replacement. Key fobs of the standard type can be duplicated fairly cheaply, but are not as durable as newer models with an extra layer of security. They have a unique key head that has a small chip that communicates with the car's computer system to ensure the key is valid. A duplicate key cannot work without the chip even in the event that it has the same grooves and ridges as the original. These keys are more expensive than traditional keys because they require two steps to make the key: laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle.
In cost of a car key replacement may need to remove the transponder chip to program it correctly. This is a hazardous task that should only be done by a specialized locksmith. The process can be very time-consuming and expensive when they need to replace other parts including the housing that holds the chip.
For the most recent model cars, you'll need to bring your vehicle to an auto dealer to get a new key programed to your vehicle. You will need to provide evidence of ownership like the registration papers or title documents. You'll also have to wait until the dealer orders and match a new key to the key you have already.
Genesky says he is able to do the key programming and cut keys for customers who have older European vehicles in his shop for around $200-$250. Genesky has to refuse customers who own the latest models of cars as they don't have the equipment that is expensive to program their keys. It is important to choose a local dealership or locksmith that is able to handle any kind of vehicle and offers various services. This will save you money on the long-term when it comes time to replace or repair your lost car keys.
Where You Live
The location of your house can impact the price the locksmith or auto dealer charges to replace keys. If you reside in a city that is large the costs are likely to be more expensive than if you resided in an isolated town or rural region. This is because the service provider has to travel farther to reach you, which means more expensive cost.
The time and location of the loss may also impact the cost. If you lose your keys during a holiday or at night, it will add to the overall price. You may also be charged for the inconvenience of waiting for a technician to arrive.
The kind of key you own will also affect the price. Certain cars have only basic mechanical or standard keys, whereas others are equipped with transponder chips, key fob, or smart key. The cost of replacing keys using modern technology will be more expensive.
Certain of these keys require programming by an auto locksmith or dealer. It could take up to up to an hour or more and is one of the reasons why a high-tech key will cost more than a standard one.
For those with older vehicles with standard keys that do not contain transponder chips typically pay less for the purchase of a new key. Standard key cutting usually requires a look at the cuts on the car's ignition or using the VIN number to determine the right key for the car.
A lot of these keys require that they be paired with the computer of the vehicle to unlock the door and start the engine. If you lost your keys and are unable to locate them, you could try calling the car dealership where you bought your car but that's not always an option.
You may be able to file an insurance claim for a replacement fob or key, based on your insurance policy. Assistance companies for roadside emergencies like AAA could be able help with this as well however they'll likely only give a simple key, and not more sophisticated technology.
Security Features
The loss of your car keys can be a major hassle however, it also presents an opportunity for someone to steal your car. This is a danger that all drivers must face. It's crucial to budget for the cost of replacing a car key.
There are several factors that affect the cost of replacement keys. These include the year and model of your vehicle, how advanced the technology used to make keys is, and the security features in the keys. It's also important to decide whether you want to use an emergency roadside assistance service such as AAA, which can make a difference in the total cost of replacing keys that have been lost.
Traditional metal car keys which don't have transponder chips are much cheaper to replace. They can be duplicated at a hardware store for less than $10. A newer smart key has to be programmed and connected to your vehicle by an auto locksmith. This can cost up to $200 or more.
Key fobs are now available in many vehicles that connect to the computer in the vehicle using radio frequency identification. They are more difficult to copy and are designed to prevent theft. The cost of replacing keys like these could be up to $500 or more.
You can also opt to add a tracker to your keychain to assist you to locate it should you lose it. These small devices can be bought at many hardware stores and can be utilized with an app that tracks the lost keys. They can add to the cost of replacing e-keys, however, they are a reasonable and effective option for most people.
In the past having lost your car keys could be a major issue and put you out of money for a while. Nowadays, however of us have more technology than our grandparents had in their day, and misplacing your keys is a big hassle however, it doesn't have to break the bank to return to driving.