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Cost of Replacement Car Keys Losing your car keys is a huge trouble. And, the cost of replacing them can 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 keys copied by professional dealers, but they often charge extra. Year & Make a Car The days when losing a car key was not an problem are long gone. Today's cars are more advanced and, as a result, keys are more expensive to replace. Losing your smart keys could cost you up to $350. Modern vehicles use electronic keys and fobs to unlock doors and start engines. Keys and fobs are tiny electronic devices equipped with circuitry, a battery and transponder chips that are all linked to your vehicle's specific model. This is a difficult procedure that requires special tools and training. Fortunately, there are ways to save money on replacement car keys. Comparing prices and features of keys will help you get an idea of how much you will pay for new keys. The year and make of your vehicle will have a major impact on the cost of your new replacement keys. Many modern cars come with transponder chips which need to be connected by an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a time-consuming and costly procedure. Keys for older cars and vehicles with no transponder chips will be more affordable to replace. You can save money by purchasing online or utilizing a third party service to replace keys to your car. You might also look into purchasing a portable GPS device such as Tile or AirTag which can help you locate your car keys in case they get lost. These devices are attached to your keys and are simple to use via an app for smartphones. Remember that losing or misplacing your keys to your car can be costly. It is recommended to always carry an extra. If you don't own an extra key, make contact with your dealer to find out whether they have a no-cost replacement program. It could be a part of the warranty for your vehicle or as an additional roadside assistance feature. These programs cover up to $400 in replacement car key costs each year and are worth it for the peace of mind they provide. Technology Type Although car keys and remote controls might appear to be basic metal objects, they're actually electronic devices in miniature form. Therefore, they're more complicated than they appear. vehicle key replacement to replace. The type of key you have can affect how much it will cost to get the replacement. Key fobs of the standard type can be duplicated relatively cheaply however they aren't as durable as the latest models with an extra layer of security. These keys have a special head that has a chip that communicates with the car's computer. A duplicate key cannot work without the chip even having the same ridges and grooves as the original. Keys with chips are more expensive than the conventional ones due to the fact that they require two steps that include cutting with lasers and programming the key to your vehicle. In some instances the locksmith might need to remove the transponder from its socket to programme it correctly. This is a risky job that should be performed only by a locksmith with special training. The process can be time-consuming and expensive when they need to replace any other part, including the housing that holds the chip. You'll have to take your car to a dealer in order to get the key programmed. This will require you to present evidence of ownership, such as your registration or title documents. Additionally, you'll need to wait a few days for the dealer to order a new key for your vehicle and then pair it with your existing one. Genesky says he is able to program keys and cut for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for about $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 keys for them. This is why it's crucial to locate a local locksmith or dealer that provides an array of services and can work with any kind of vehicle. Ultimately, this will save you money over the long term in the process of repairing and replacing keys that were stolen or lost from your vehicle. Where You Live The location you live in can affect the amount a locksmith or car dealer will charge for key replacement. Prices are higher in large cities than those in smaller towns or rural areas. This is because the service provider needs to travel farther to get to you and this translates into higher prices. Another factor that can affect the cost of car key replacement is the time and place you lose your keys. If you lose your keys on the night of a holiday or during the night it can add to the overall price. You could also be charged extra to cover the inconvenience of having to wait longer for a technician to show up. The type of key you're using will also affect the price. Some cars come with only basic mechanical keys or standard keys, while others include transponder chips, key fobs, or smart keys. The cost of replacing keys with more advanced technology will be more expensive. Some of these high-tech keys require programming by an auto locksmith or dealer. This can take up to an hour or more and is one of the main reasons why a high-tech lock will cost more than a basic one. Older cars that do not have transponder chips or standard keys will cost less to buy a new key. Standard key cutting typically only requires reading the cut marks on the ignition of the car or using a VIN number to determine the right key for the vehicle. Most keys require that they be connected to the car's computer in order to unlock the doors and start the engines. You can contact the dealership that sold you your car if you are not able to locate your keys. However, this is not always possible. Based on see this page depending on your insurance policy, it could be possible to file a claim with them to pay for a replacement key or key fob. Assistance companies for roadside emergencies like AAA may be able to help with this as well however they'll likely only give a simple key, and not more advanced technology. Security Features Losing your car keys could be a major hassle however it can also be an opportunity for someone to take your car. While this is a risk that all drivers are exposed to it's important to understand the cost of car key replacement to ensure you have enough money for it. There are a variety of factors that impact the price of keys replacement. The cost of replacing keys is affected by several factors, such as the year and model of your car and the technology utilized in the key, as well as the security features. It is also important to consider whether you'd like to utilize an emergency roadside assistance program, like AAA. This can add to the cost of replacing the key you lost. It is much less expensive to replace the traditional metal car keys without a transponder. They can be duplicated in a hardware store for less than $10. A newer smart lock must be programmed and linked to your vehicle by an auto locksmith. This could cost as much as $200 or more. Many cars are now equipped with key fobs that utilize radio frequency identification to connect with your vehicle's computer. They are a lot more difficult to duplicate and are designed to stop theft. The cost to replace keys of this kind can be as high as $500 or more. You could also add an electronic tracker to your keychain in case you lose it. These are usually small devices that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores and can be used with an app to track the whereabouts of your lost key. They can add to the cost of replacing e-keys but they are an affordable and practical option for most people. In the past having lost your car keys could be a major hassle and could have cost you money for a while. Nowadays, however of us are more technologically advanced than our grandparents did back in their time, and losing your keys could be an enormous hassle but it doesn't need to cost you a fortune in order to get back behind the wheel.