Cost of Replacement Car Keys

The loss of your car keys can be an immense hassle. The cost of replacing them is also an expense of a major magnitude.

The simplest and most affordable method to replace your car keys is to contact an auto locksmith. You can also have your key copied by an authorized dealer, but they'll charge more.

Year and Make a Car

The days are long gone when a lost car key wasn't such important. Nowadays, cars are more advanced and keys are more expensive to replace. The loss of your smart key could cost you as much as $350.

Modern cars use electronic fobs and keys to open doors and start engines. The keys and fobs are tiny electronic devices that have circuitry, batteries and transponder chip that are all paired with your vehicle's specific model. This is a complicated procedure that requires specific tools and training.

There are a variety of ways to save money on replacement car keys. By comparing prices for keys and features prior to purchasing you will be better informed about how much to expect to pay for your new keys.

One of the biggest factors that will influence the cost 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 connected by an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a time-consuming and expensive process.

Keys that are older and with no transponder chips will be much more affordable to replace. You can also save money by buying online or using a third party service to replace keys to your car.

You should consider purchasing an portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you locate your car keys in the event that they go missing. These devices attach to your keys and are simple to use with a smartphone app.

It's important to remember that losing or misplacing keys to your car could be costly, so it's best to have an extra set of keys in your vehicle at all times. If you don't have an extra key, you should consider checking with your dealership to see if it offers a free key replacement program as part of your vehicle's warranty and roadside assistance additional add-ons, or an extended bumper-to-bumper insurance. These programs can cover up to $400 in cost of replacement keys for your car each year and are well worth it for the peace of mind they provide.

Technology Type

While keys for cars and remotes may appear to be ordinary metal pieces, they're actually tiny electronic devices. In this way, there's a lot more to them than meets the eye -- which is why they're expensive to replace.

The type of key you have will also impact the amount it will cost to get a replacement. Standard key fobs 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 tiny chip inside that communicates with the car's computer to verify that the key is legitimate. Without the chip, a duplicate key won't function even in the event that the grooves and ridges are the same as the original. These keys are more expensive than traditional keys due to the fact that they require two steps to make: laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle.

In certain situations the locksmith may have to disassemble the transponder to programme it correctly. This is a dangerous job that should only be done by a professional locksmith. If they need to replace other components such as the housing that holds chips, the procedure is time-consuming and expensive.

You'll need to take your vehicle to a dealer to get an ignition key programmed. You will need to provide proof of ownership such as your registration papers or title documents. Also, you'll need wait a few days until the dealer can order an additional key for your car and match it with your current one.

Genesky says he is able to do the key programming and cut keys for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for about $200-$250. Genesky has to refuse customers who have the most recent models of cars since he does not have the expensive equipment needed to program their keys. It is important to choose a local locksmith or dealership that is able to handle any kind of vehicle and provide a variety of services. This will help you save money in the long run when it comes time to replace or repair your lost car keys.

Where You Live

The location of your house can impact the price that a locksmith or auto dealer charges to replace the key. Prices are higher in larger cities than those in smaller towns or rural areas. This is due to the fact that the service provider has to travel further to get to you, which results in higher prices.

Another factor that can affect the cost of replacing car key replacement online keys is when and where you lose your keys. The cost of a replacement key will be higher if lose them during a holiday, or at night. You might also be charged additional due to the inconvenience of waiting longer for a technician to arrive.

The type of key you have could also affect the cost. Certain cars have only basic mechanical or standard keys, whereas others are equipped with transponder chips, key fob, or smart keys. The cost of replacing keys using modern technology will be more expensive.

Certain of these high-tech keys require programming by an auto locksmith or dealer. This could take an hour or more of time and lost is another reason the price will be higher than for a basic key.

Older cars that do not have transponder chips or standard keys will cost less to get an updated key. Standard key cutting typically requires a glance at the cut marks on the ignition or using the VIN number to determine which key is suitable for the vehicle.

Most keys require that they be connected to the car's computer to open the doors and start the engines. If you have lost your keys and are unable find them, you can call the dealership that you purchased the car key replacement price however that isn't always an option.

You may be able submit an insurance claim for a replacement fob or key, depending on your insurance policy. Roadside assistance companies such as AAA could also be able to help however, they'll likely provide an entry level key and not the most advanced technology.

Security Features

The loss of your car keys can be a huge inconvenience however it can also be an opportunity for someone to take your car. While this is a risk every driver faces it's important to understand the cost of replacing your car keys to be able to budget for it.

The cost of replacement keys is determined by a variety of factors. These include the year and make of your vehicle, how sophisticated the key technology is and the security features in the keys. It's also important to consider whether you want to use an emergency roadside assistance program like AAA, which can increase the cost of replacing a lost key.

It is much cheaper to replace traditional metal keys for cars without a transponder. They can be duplicated at a hardware shop for less than $10. On the other hand, a newer smart key needs to be paired with your vehicle and then programmed by an auto locksmith or dealership. This can cost as much as $200 or more.

Key fobs are available in many cars that communicate with the car's computer via radio frequency identification. These keys are much harder to copy, and they are designed to prevent theft. The cost of replacing keys like these can be up to $500 or more.

You could also add an RFID tracker to your keychain in case you lose it. These are typically small devices that can be purchased from most hardware stores, and can be used in conjunction with an app to monitor the location of your lost keys. While they can add to the overall cost of replacing keys, they can be an affordable and effective solution for the majority of people.

In the past, losing your car keys could be a major hassle and put you out of money for a time. Today, we have more technology than we did in the past, and so losing your keys can be an issue. But it doesn't need to be expensive to get you back behind the wheel.