Cost of Replacement Car Keys

Losing your car keys is an immense hassle. And, the cost of replacing them can be a significant expense.

A call to an auto locksmith is the most affordable and quickest method of replacing your car key. You can also have your keys copied by professional dealers, but they often charge extra.

Year and Make a Car

The days when losing a car key was not a major issue are over. The keys of today's automobiles, which are more sophisticated, are expensive to buy. Losing your smart keys could cost you up to $350.

Modern vehicles utilize electronic keys and fobs to unlock doors and start engines. The keys and fobs are electronic devices that have circuitry, a battery and transponder chips that are all connected to the vehicle you have chosen. This is a complex process that requires specialized tools and training.

There are many ways to save on replacement keys for your car. By comparing the prices of keys and features before you buy you will be more informed about the price you can anticipate spending on new keys.

One of the most important factors that affect the price of the replacement car keys is the year and model of your vehicle. A lot of newer cars have high-tech transponder chips that have to be paired with the car key fobs replacement by an auto locksmith or replacement car keys dealer, which is an expensive and time-consuming process.

Older cars and keys 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 may also want to look into buying an portable GPS device like Tile or AirTag which can aid you in finding your car keys should they get lost. These devices are attached to your keys and are easy to use with a smartphone app.

Be aware that the loss or misplacement of your car keys could cost you money. It is recommended to always have a spare. 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 and roadside assistance additional add-ons, or an extended bumper-to-bumper coverage. These programs will provide up to $400 worth of replacement car key costs each year and are well worth it for the security they offer.

Technology Type

While remote fobs and keys for cars may look like simple pieces of metal, they're actually tiny electronic devices. In this way, there's a lot more to them than what's apparent -- and this is why they're expensive to replace.

The type of key that you have will also influence the cost of a replacement car key of a replacement. Key fobs of the standard type are able to be duplicated for a reasonable price, but are not as durable as the latest models with an extra layer of security. They have a unique head with a chip which communicates to the car's computer. Without the chip the duplicate key will not work even in the event that the grooves and ridges are the same as the original. These keys are more expensive than traditional keys because they require two steps to make: laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle.

In some instances, the locksmith may need to remove the transponder from its socket to program it properly. This is a risky job that should be handled only by a specialized locksmith. The process can be lengthy and costly should they need to replace any other part including the housing that houses the chip.

You'll have to take your vehicle to a dealer in order to get an ignition key programmed. You'll need proof of ownership such as your registration documents or title documents. You'll also have to wait until the dealer orders and pair a new key with your current key.

Genesky says he can usually 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 have the most recent models of cars since he does not have the equipment that is expensive to program their keys. It is essential to select an auto dealer or locksmith that is able to handle any kind of vehicle and provides various services. This will help you save money in the long run when it comes time to replace or repair your car keys.

Where You Live

The location of your home will affect the cost a locksmith or auto dealer charges to replace a key. If you live in a city that is large the costs are likely to be higher than if you live in rural or a small town region. This is because the service provider has to travel farther to get to you and this translates into higher prices.

The date and time of the loss can be a factor in the price. The cost of replacing a key is higher if you lose them during the weekend or during the night. You may also be charged for the inconvenience of waiting longer for a technician to arrive.

The type of key you have will also affect the price. 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 more advanced technology will be higher.

Certain of these keys must be programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. This can take up to an hour or more of time and is a reason why the cost is higher than for a basic key.

For those with older vehicles with standard keys that do not include transponder chips, will usually pay less for an entirely new key. Standard key cutting usually only requires a glance at the cut marks on the ignition or using the VIN number to determine which key is appropriate for the car.

Many of these keys require pairing with the computer of the vehicle to unlock the door and then start the engine. If you lost your keys and are unable find them, you can call the dealership where you bought your car from, but that is not always an option.

You may be able submit a claim for a replacement fob or key, based on the terms of your insurance policy. Assistance companies for roadside emergencies like AAA might be able to help with this as well however they'll likely only give a simple key and not the more sophisticated technology.

Security Features

Losing your car keys could be a major hassle, but it's also an opportunity for someone to steal your car. This is a risk all drivers have to face. It's crucial to budget for the cost of a new car key.

The cost of replacement keys is affected by several factors. These include the year and model of your vehicle, the level of sophistication the technology used to make keys 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 program like AAA, which can add to the overall cost of replacing the lost key.

It is cheaper to replace traditional metal keys for cars without a transponder. They can be duplicated in a hardware store for less than $10. However, a smarter key needs to be paired with your vehicle and then programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. This could cost as much as $200 or more.

A lot of cars today have keys that use radio frequency identification to communicate with your vehicle's computer. These keys are difficult to duplicate and are specifically designed to prevent theft. The cost to replace keys like these could be as high as $500 or more.

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

In the past the past, losing a set of keys to your car was a major hassle and could have left you out of pocket for some time. Today, however, most of us are more technologically advanced than our grandparents did back in their day, and misplacing your keys is an issue but it doesn't need to cost you a fortune in order to get back behind the wheel.