It’s a major problem to lose your car keys. And, the cost of replacing them could be a major expense.
A call to an auto locksmith is the most affordable and easiest way to replace your car key. You can also get your keys copied at an authorized dealer, but they’ll charge more.
Year & Make a Car
The days when a lost car key was not a major issue are over. Modern cars are more sophisticated and, as a result, their keys are more expensive to replace. In fact when you lose your smart key or fob, it could cost up to $350.
Modern vehicles make use of electronic fobs and keys to open doors and start engines. The keys and fobs are electronic devices that have circuitry, a battery and transponder chips that are all paired with your specific vehicle. This is a complicated procedure that requires special tools and training.
Fortunately, there are ways to save money on replacement car keys. By comparing key prices and features prior to purchasing you will be better informed about how much does a replacement car key cost uk much to anticipate spending on new keys.
The year and the make of your car will have a major effect on the cost of your new replacement keys. A lot of newer vehicles have transponder chips which need to be paired by an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a lengthy and costly process.
Keys for older cars and vehicles without transponder chips will be more affordable to replace. In addition that you will often save money on replacement car keys by using a third-party service or purchasing a new key on the internet.
You may also want to look into purchasing an portable GPS device like Tile or AirTag which can aid you in finding your car keys if they get lost. These devices can be attached to your keys and are easy to use using the smartphone app.
It’s important to remember that losing or misplacing your mobile car key replacement keys can be costly, so it’s recommended to keep an extra set of keys in your vehicle at all times. If you don’t have an extra, it’s worth checking with your dealership to see if it offers the option of a key replacement program for free as part of your vehicle’s warranty or roadside assistance add-ons or a longer bumper-to-bumper protection. These programs can provide replacement car keys up to $400 per year. They’re worth the security they offer.
Technology Type
While car keys and remote fobs may look like simple pieces of metal, they’re actually miniscule electronic devices. Therefore, there’s a lot more to them than what’s apparent — which makes them expensive to replace.
The type of key that you own will also affect the cost of a replacement. Standard key fobs can be duplicated fairly cheaply, but are not as durable as the latest models that come with an extra layer of security. They have a unique key head that has a tiny chip that communicates with the car’s computer to ensure the authenticity of the key. Without the chip it is impossible for a duplicate key to work even when the ridges and grooves are identical to the original. These are much more expensive than conventional keys since they require two steps to make laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle.
In certain situations the locksmith might need to remove the transponder from its socket to programme it correctly. This is a dangerous job that should only be performed by a professional locksmith. The process can be lengthy and costly when they need to replace any other parts, including the housing that holds the chip.
You’ll have to take your car to a dealer in order to get a key programmed. You’ll need evidence of ownership like your registration papers or title documents. Additionally, you’ll need to wait a few days until the dealer can order an additional key for your car and match it with the existing one.
Genesky says that he’s able to program keys and cut for customers with older European vehicles at his shop for around $200-$250. He has to turn away customers with the latest models of cars as they don’t have the equipment that is expensive to program their keys. This is why it’s crucial to find a local locksmith or dealership that offers an array of services and can accommodate any type of vehicle. This will help you save money in the long-term when it’s time to replace or repair your lost keys to your car.
Where You Live
When you live can impact the price a locksmith or car dealer will charge for key replacement. If you live in a city that is large, the prices are likely to be higher than if you lived in a small town or rural area. This is because the service provider must travel further to reach you and this translates into more expensive costs.
Another aspect that could affect the cost of replacing your car keys is when and where you lose your keys. The cost of a replacement key is higher if you lose them during holidays or at night. There is a chance that you will be charged additional to cover the inconvenience of waiting longer for a service technician to arrive.
The type of key you have could also affect the price. Certain cars have only basic mechanical keys, or standard keys, whereas others are equipped with transponder chips, key fob, or smart key. The cost of replacing keys with higher-tech keys will be more expensive.
Some of these high-tech keys require programming by an auto locksmith or dealer. It could take up to up to an hour or more and is one of the reasons why a high-tech key may cost more than a standard one.
Older cars that do not have transponder chips or standard keys are less expensive to purchase a new key. Standard key cutting usually requires reading the cuts on the ignition of the vehicle or using a VIN number to identify the correct key for the car.
A lot of keys require that they be paired with the vehicle’s computer for unlocking the doors and start the engines. If you have lost your keys and aren’t able to locate them, you could contact the dealership where you bought the car however that isn’t always an option.
If your insurance policy is in place depending on your insurance policy, it could be possible to submit a claim to them to cover the cost of the replacement key or key fob. Assistance companies for roadside emergencies like AAA may be able to assist with this 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 else to steal your vehicle. This is a danger that all drivers have to face. It’s important to budget for the cost of a new car key.
There are many factors that affect the cost of replacement keys. The cost of replacing keys is affected by several factors, such as the year and model of your vehicle, the technology used in the key, as well as the security features. It is also important to think about whether you’d like to use an emergency roadside assistance service such as AAA which could make a difference in the total cost of replacing a lost key.
Traditional metal car keys which don’t have a transponder chip in them are much cheaper to replace. They can typically be copied at a hardware store for less than $10. On the other hand, a newer smart key needs to be paired with your vehicle and programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. This could cost as much as $200 or more.
Key fobs are available in a variety of cars which communicate with the computer in the vehicle using radio frequency identification. They are a lot more difficult to duplicate and are designed to prevent theft. The cost of replacing keys of this kind can be as high as $500 or more.
You can also opt to add a tracker to your keychain to assist you to locate it should you lose it. These are usually 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 key. While they may add to the cost of replacing e keys, they can be an affordable and efficient solution for the majority of people.
In the past, losing your cheap car keys replacement keys could be a major issue and cost you money for a while. Most of us today have more technology than we did in the past, and so losing your keys is an issue. But it doesn’t need to be costly to get back on the road.
