Cost of Replacement Car Keys
It's a major trouble to lose your car keys. The cost of replacing them is an expense of a major magnitude.
Calling an auto locksmith is the cheapest and most efficient method to replace your car key. You can also request your key cloned at a specialist dealer, but they'll charge you more.
Year & Make a Car
Long gone are the days when a simple lost car key wasn't such an issue. Today's cars are more advanced, and that means keys are more expensive to replace. In fact when you lose your fob or smart key it could cost you up to $350.
Modern cars utilize electronic fobs and keys to open doors and start engines. The keys and fobs, which are electronic devices in tiny size, with circuitry and a battery are connected to the vehicle. This is a complicated process that requires special tools and knowledge to master.
There are ways to save money on replacement keys for your car. Comparing prices and features of keys can help you to get an idea of much you will have to pay for new keys.
One of the biggest factors that will influence the cost of the replacement car keys is the year and model of your car. Many newer cars have transponder chips which need to be connected by an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a time-consuming and expensive process.
It's cheaper to replace old cars and keys that do not have transponder chips. You can also save money by buying online or utilizing a third party service to replace the keys to your car.
You might also look into buying a portable GPS device such as Tile or AirTag that will assist you in finding your car keys should they get lost. These devices are attached to your keys and are easy to use using a smartphone app.
It's important to keep in mind that losing or misplacing keys to your car could be costly, so it's recommended to keep a spare on hand at all times. 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 your warranty on your vehicle or roadside assistance add-ons, or an extended bumper-to-bumper insurance. These programs will cover replacement car key costs up to $400 per year. They are well worth the security they offer.
Technology Type
While keys to cars and remote controls might appear to be basic metal pieces, they're actually tiny electronic devices. Therefore there's more to them than what's apparent -- and this makes them costly to replace.
The type of key you have will also influence the cost of replacing it. Key fobs with standard locks are inexpensive to duplicate, however they're not as durable as the modern models that include an additional layer of security. These keys come with a specific head with a chip that communicates with 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. The keys are more expensive than the conventional ones due to the fact that they require two steps in laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle.
In automotive key replacement may need to take apart the transponder chip in order to program it correctly. This is a dangerous job that should be handled only by a specialized locksmith. If they have to replace other parts, such as the housing that houses a chip, the process is time-consuming and expensive.
For the most recent models of cars, you'll need to bring your vehicle to an auto dealer to get a new key programed to your vehicle. You'll need evidence of ownership like the registration papers or title documents. You'll also have to wait for the dealer to order and connect a new key with your current key.
Genesky says that he can cut keys and programming for customers who have older European vehicles in his shop for $200-$250. However, he has to deny customers who have the most recent models of cars since there isn't the costly equipment needed to program their keys. This is why it's important to find a locksmith in your area or dealer that can provide an array of services and can work with any kind of vehicle. This will ultimately help you save money in the long run when it comes to fixing and replacing keys that were stolen or lost from your vehicle.
Where You Live
The location of your house can affect the price that a locksmith or auto dealer will charge to replace the key. If you live in a large city the costs are likely to be higher than if you lived in a small town or rural area. This is because the service provider has to travel further to get to you and this translates into higher prices.
The timing and location of the loss may also impact the cost. If you lose your keys on the night of a holiday or during the night it can add to the overall price. You may also be charged for the inconvenience of having to wait longer for a technician to arrive.
The type of key you have can also affect the price. Some cars only have basic mechanical or standard keys, while others are equipped with a transponder chip, key fob, or smart keys. The cost of replacing keys with higher-tech keys will be more expensive.
Some of these high-tech keys must be programmed by a dealership or auto locksmith. This could take an hour or more and is another reason the cost will be higher than a standard key.
Older vehicles without transponder chips and standard keys will cost less to buy a 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 right for the car.
A lot of these keys require pairing with the vehicle's computer to unlock the door and then start the engine. You can contact the dealership from which you bought your car if you are in a position to locate your keys. However it isn't always feasible.
Based on your insurance policy It may be possible to make a claim to pay for a replacement key or key fob. Assistance companies for roadside emergencies like AAA may also be able to assist, but they will likely provide the basic key, and not the advanced technology.
Security Features
Losing your car keys can be a huge inconvenience however, it also presents an opportunity for someone to steal your car. While this is a risk every driver faces, it's important to know the cost of replacing your car keys so that you can budget for it.
There are several factors that affect the cost of keys replacement. The cost of replacement keys is determined by a variety of aspects, including the year and model of your car and the technology utilized in the key, and security features. You should also consider whether you'd like to utilize an emergency roadside assistance service such as AAA. This could increase the cost of replacing the key you lost.
Traditional keys made of metal that don't have transponder chips are much less expensive to replace. They can be duplicated at a hardware store for less than $10. On the other hand, a smarter key needs to be paired with your vehicle and programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. It could cost as high as $200 or more.
Key fobs are available in many vehicles that communicate with the vehicle's computer using radio frequency identification. These keys are much harder to duplicate, and they are designed to prevent theft. The cost to replace keys like these can be as high as $500 or more.
You can also opt to have a tracker added to your keychain to assist you to locate it in case you lose it. These tiny devices are available at most hardware stores and utilized with an app that tracks your key that you lost. While they can add to the total cost of replacing keys, they are an affordable and efficient solution for the majority of people.
In the past the time of losing your car keys could be a major hassle and cost you money for a while. Nowadays, we have more technology than in the past, so losing your keys can be a hassle. But it doesn't have to be costly to get back on the road.