Cost of Replacement Car Keys
It's a huge problem to lose your car keys. The cost of replacing them is a major expense.
The most cost-effective and easiest method to replace your car keys is to call an auto locksmith. You can also have your key cloned at an expert dealer, however they'll charge you more.
Year and Make of the Vehicle
The days when a lost car key was not a big issue are over. The keys of today's cars, which are more sophisticated, are more expensive to buy. Losing key replacement for car could cost you as much as $350.
Modern cars make use of electronic fobs and keys to open doors and start engines. Keys and fobs which are electronic devices of a miniature size with circuitry and batteries are connected to the vehicle. This is a complex process that requires specialized tools and training.
There are a variety of ways to save money on new car keys. Comparing key prices and features will give you a an idea of much you will have to pay for new keys.
The year and make of your vehicle will have a major effect on the cost of your new replacement keys. A lot of newer cars have advanced transponder chips that require to be paired with the car by a dealer or auto locksmith, which is an expensive and time-consuming procedure.
It is cheaper to replace older vehicles and keys that do not have transponder chips. In addition you could save money on car keys replacement by using a third-party provider or purchasing your new key on the internet.
Consider buying a portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you locate your car keys in case they go missing. These devices attach directly to your keys and can be easily used with a smartphone application.
Remember that the loss or misplacement of keys to your car could be costly. It is best to always carry a spare. If you don't have a spare, it's worth visiting your dealer to see if it offers a free key replacement program as part of the warranty for your vehicle and roadside assistance additional add-ons or a longer bumper-to-bumper insurance. These programs can pay for replacement car keys that can be as high as $400 per year. They're well worth the peace of mind they offer.
Technology Type
Although keys for cars and remotes may appear to be simple metal pieces, they are actually miniature electronic devices. As a result, they're more complex than they appear. This means they're expensive to replace.
auto key replacement cost of key that you have will also impact the cost of a replacement. Key fobs that are standard are inexpensive to duplicate, however they're not as durable as modern ones that come with an additional layer of security. They have a unique key head that has a small chip in it that communicates with the car's computer system to ensure the authenticity of the key. A duplicate key won't work without the chip even having the same ridges and grooves as the original. These keys are more expensive than conventional keys since they require two steps to make laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle.
In certain situations a locksmith may need to take apart the transponder chip in order to program it correctly. This is a dangerous job that should only be done by a locksmith with specialized training. The process can be very time-consuming and expensive if they have to replace any other parts, including the housing that holds the chip.
For the most recent model automobiles, you'll need bring your vehicle into an auto dealer to get a new key programmed to your vehicle. This will require you to present evidence of ownership, like the title or registration papers. In addition, you'll have to wait a few days for the dealer to purchase a new key for your vehicle and pair it with your existing one.
Genesky says he is able to do the key programming and cut for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for between $200 and $250. Genesky is forced to turn away customers who own the latest models of cars because they don't have the expensive equipment needed to program their keys. This is why it's important to find a local locksmith or dealership that offers a wide range of services and can work with any kind of vehicle. In the end, this will save you money over the long term in the process of repairing and replacing keys that were stolen or lost from your vehicle.
Where You Live
The location of your house will affect the cost the locksmith or auto dealer will charge to replace keys. Prices are higher in larger cities than in smaller towns or rural areas. This is because the service provider has to travel further to reach you, which means more expensive costs.
The date and time of the loss may also impact the cost. If you lose your keys on a holiday or at night it can add to the total cost. You may also be charged for the inconvenience of waiting for a technician to arrive.
The type of key you have will also affect the price. Certain cars only have basic mechanical keys or standard keys, while others include transponder chips, key fobs, or smart keys. The cost of replacing keys using modern technology will be higher.
Some of these high-tech keys must be programmed by an auto locksmith or dealership. This can take about 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 don't contain transponder chips typically pay less for an entirely new key. Standard key cutting usually only requires a look at the cut marks on the ignition or the VIN number to determine which key is appropriate for the vehicle.
A lot of these keys require that they be paired with the computer of the vehicle to unlock the door and then start the engine. If you have lost your keys and aren't able to locate them, you could call the dealership where you bought your car but that's not always an option.
You may be able submit an insurance claim for a replacement fob or key, based on your insurance policy. Companies offering roadside assistance like AAA could be able assist with this however they'll likely only give a simple key, and not more advanced technology.
Security Features
Losing your car keys can be a major hassle, but it's also an opportunity for someone else to steal your car. While this is a risk that all drivers face it's important to understand the cost of replacing the car keys to ensure you have enough money for it.
There are many factors that affect the cost of replacement keys. These include the year and make of your vehicle, how sophisticated the key technology is, and the security features that are included in the keys. It's also important to consider whether you'd like to use an emergency roadside assistance service like AAA which could increase the cost of replacing a lost key.
Traditional keys made of metal which don't have transponder chips are much less expensive to replace. They can be duplicated at a hardware shop for less than $10. However the latest smart key must be connected with your vehicle and programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. This could cost as much as $200 or more.
A lot of cars today have key fobs that use radio frequency identification to communicate with your vehicle's computer. These keys are more difficult to duplicate, and they are designed to stop theft. The cost of replacing keys like these can be up to $500 or more.
You can also add an electronic tracker to your keychain in the event that you lose it. These are usually small devices that are available from most hardware stores, and they can be used in conjunction with an app that can track the whereabouts of your lost key. While they can add to the cost of replacing keys, they are an affordable and efficient solution for the majority of people.
In the past, losing a set of keys to your car was a major issue and could have pushed you out of pocket for some time. Nowadays, we have more technology than we did in the past, and so losing your keys can be a major issue. But it doesn't have to be expensive to get you back behind the wheel.