Cost of Replacement Car Keys

It's a huge trouble to lose your car keys. And, the cost of replacing them could be a major expense.

Contacting an auto locksmith is the most affordable and most efficient method to replace your car key. You can also have your key copied by a specialist dealer, but they will charge you more.

Year and Make a Car

It's been a long time since when a lost car key wasn't an issue. Modern cars are more sophisticated, and that means keys are more expensive to replace. The loss of your smart key could cost you as much as $350.

This is because modern cars use electronic keys and fobs to unlock doors and start engines. Keys and fobs are electronic devices that have circuitry, a battery and transponder chip that are all paired with your vehicle's specific model. This is a sophisticated procedure that requires specialized tools and a thorough understanding of.

There are ways to save money on replacement keys for your vehicle. By comparing key prices and features prior to purchasing you will be better aware of the amount you can expect to spend on new keys.

One of the biggest factors that affect the price of replacement keys for your car is the year and make of your vehicle. A lot of newer vehicles have transponder chips that need to be paired by an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a lengthy and expensive process.

Keys for older cars and vehicles with no transponder chips will be much more affordable to replace. You can also save money by purchasing online or utilizing a third party service to replace the keys to your car.

You may also want to think about buying a portable GPS device such as Tile or AirTag that can assist you in finding your car keys should they get lost. These devices attach directly to your keys and are easily accessible by using a smartphone app.

It's important to remember that losing or misplacing keys to your car can be costly, and it's recommended to keep an extra set of keys on hand at all times. If you don't have an extra key, you should consider consulting your dealer to see if it offers the option of a key replacement program for free as part of your vehicle's warranty, roadside assistance extra add-ons or an extended bumper-to-bumper protection. These programs will cover replacement car key costs that can be as high as $400 per year. They're well worth the peace-of-mind they provide.

Technology Type

While keys to cars and remote controls may appear to be simple metal pieces, they are actually miniature electronic devices. As such there's more to them than what's apparent -- which is why they're expensive to replace.

The type of key you have can affect how much it will cost to get a replacement. Standard key fobs are relatively inexpensive to duplicate, but they're not as durable as the modern ones that come with an additional layer of security. They have a unique head that has a chip that communicates to the computer in the car. A duplicate key cannot work without the chip even if it has the same ridges and grooves 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 some instances a locksmith may need to remove the transponder chip in order to program it correctly. This is a dangerous job that should be handled only by a locksmith who is trained. The process could be extremely long and costly should they need to replace any other part such as the housing that holds the chip.

For the most current model cars, you'll need to bring your car into the dealership to have a new key programmed to your vehicle. It will be necessary to show evidence of ownership, like your registration or title papers. Also, you'll need to wait for the dealer to make an order and connect a new key with the key replacement car you have already.

Genesky says he's able to cut keys and programming for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for $200-$250. Genesky has to refuse customers who have the latest models of cars as they don't have the costly equipment required to program their keys. It is important to choose an auto dealer or locksmith that is able to handle any kind of vehicle and provides 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 a locksmith or auto dealer charges to replace keys. The prices are higher in big cities than those in smaller towns or rural areas. This is because the service provider must travel farther to get to your location, which means higher costs.

The time and location of the loss could also impact the cost. If you lose your keys on an evening or on a holiday it can add to the total cost. You may also be charged for the inconvenience of having to wait longer for a technician to arrive.

The type of key that you have could also affect the cost. Some cars only have basic mechanical or standard keys, while others have transponder chips, a key fob or smart key. The cost of replacing keys with modern technology will be more expensive.

Certain of these high-tech keys need to be programmed by an auto locksmith or dealership. It could take up to up to an hour or more and is one of the reasons why a high-tech lock will cost more than a standard one.

Older cars that do not have transponder chips and standard keys replacement for cars will cost less to get an updated key. Standard key cutting usually requires a look at the cuts on the car's ignition or using a VIN number to determine the right key for the vehicle.

A lot of keys require that they are paired with the vehicle’s computer for unlocking the doors and start the engines. It is possible to contact the dealership from which you bought your vehicle if you are unable find your keys. However it's not always possible.

Depending on your insurance policy, it may be possible to make a claim to cover the cost of a replacement key or key fob. Assistance companies for roadside emergencies like AAA may also be able to assist but they'll provide an entry level key and not the latest technology.

Security Features

It's a huge inconvenience to lose your car keys and also give an individual the chance to rob your vehicle. While this is a risk that all drivers face, it's important to know the cost of replacing the car keys so that you can budget for it.

There are several factors that influence the cost of replacement keys. This includes the year and model of your vehicle, the level of sophistication the key technology is, and the security features included in the keys. It's also important to consider whether you'd like to use an emergency roadside assistance program like AAA, which can increase the cost of replacing keys that have been lost.

Traditional keys made of metal that don't have transponder chips are a lot less expensive to replace. They can be copied 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. It could cost as high as $200 or linked internet site more.

Key fobs are now available in a variety of cars that connect to the computer in the vehicle using radio frequency identification. They are a lot more difficult to duplicate and are designed to guard against theft. The cost of replacing keys like these can be up to $500 or more.

You can also attach an RFID tracker to your keychain in the event that you misplace it. These small devices can be purchased at many hardware stores and can be can be used with an app that tracks the lost keys. While they can increase the total cost of replacing keys, they can also be an affordable and effective solution for the majority of people.

In the past when you lost your keys to your car was an enormous inconvenience and could have put you out of pocket for a period of time. Nowadays, we have more technology than in the past, and so losing your keys is an issue. However, it doesn't have to be costly to get you back behind the wheel.