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12 Facts About Cost Of Replacement Car Key To Make You Look Smart Around The Water Cooler
Cost of Replacement Car Keys

It's a major problem to lose your car keys. Even worse, the cost of replacing them could be a major expense.

A call to an auto locksmith is the cheapest and easiest way to replace your car key. You can also get your key cloned at an expert dealer, however they'll charge more.

Year and Make of Vehicle

The days are long gone when a simple lost car key wasn't such important. The keys of modern-day cars that are more sophisticated, are expensive to purchase. In fact, if you lose your smart key or fob, it could cost up to $350.

Modern cars use electronic fobs and keys that allow you to open doors and start the engine. The keys and fobs are miniature electronic devices that have circuitry, a battery and transponder chips that are all paired with your vehicle's specific model. This is a complicated procedure that requires special tools and training.

There are ways to save on replacement keys for your vehicle. By comparing key prices and features prior to purchasing you will be better informed about the price you can expect to spend on new keys.

The year and the make of your vehicle will have a major impact on the price of the new keys you purchase. Many newer vehicles have high-tech transponder chips that need to be linked to the car by an auto locksmith or dealer this is a costly and time-consuming process.

It is cheaper to replace old cars and keys that do not contain transponder chips. You can also save money by buying online or utilizing a third party service to replace your car keys.

Consider buying a portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you locate your car keys in the event they get lost. These devices can be attached to your keys and are simple to use with an app for smartphones.

Keep in mind that losing or misplacing keys to your car could cost you money. It is recommended to always carry an extra. If you don't have an extra, it's worth consulting your dealer to see if they have an opportunity to replace your keys for free as part of your warranty on your vehicle and roadside assistance additional add-ons, or an extended bumper-to-bumper protection. These programs may cover replacement car key costs up to $400 per year. They are well worth the peace-of-mind they provide.

Technology Type

While car keys and remote fobs might appear like basic pieces of metal, they're actually miniscule electronic devices. As such there's more to them than meets the eye and this is why they're expensive to replace.

The type of key you have also affects how much it will cost you to purchase the replacement. Key fobs that are standard are inexpensive to duplicate, but they're not as robust as the modern models that include an additional layer of security. They come with a specific key head with a small chip inside that communicates with the car's computer to ensure the authenticity of the key. Without the chip the duplicate key will not work even when the ridges and grooves are the same as the original. These are much more expensive than conventional keys since they require two steps laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle.

In some instances, the locksmith may need to disassemble the transponder in order to programme it correctly. This is a risky job that should be handled only by a locksmith who is trained. The process could be extremely lengthy and costly should they need to replace any other parts such as the housing that houses the chip.


For the most recent models of automobiles, you'll need bring your vehicle into a dealership to have a new key programed to your vehicle. This will require you to show evidence of ownership, such as the title or registration papers. You'll also need to wait for the dealer to make an order and match a new key to your current key.

Genesky claims that he is able to cut keys and programming for customers who have older European vehicles in his shop for $200-$250. However, he is forced to turn away clients with the newer models because he doesn't have the expensive equipment to program their keys. It is essential to select a local locksmith or dealership that is able to handle any kind of vehicle and provide various services. This will help you save money in the long-term when it's time to replace or repair your lost car keys.

Where You Live

The location of your house can impact the price the locksmith or auto dealer will charge to replace a key. If you live in a major city the costs are likely to be higher than if you lived in a small town or rural area. This is due to the fact that a service provider must travel further to get to you, which results in greater 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 during a holiday or at night it can add to the overall price. There is a chance that you will be charged additional for the inconvenience of having to wait longer for a service technician to arrive.

The type of key that you own can also impact the cost. 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 using modern technology will be higher.

Some of these high-tech keys need to be programmed by an auto locksmith or dealership. This could take up to an hour or more and is one of the main reasons why a high-tech key will cost more than a basic one.

Older cars without transponder chips and standard keys will cost less to get a new one. Standard key cutting usually requires a look at the cuts on the car's ignition or using a VIN number to identify the right key for the car.

Most keys require that they be paired with the vehicle’s computer in order to unlock the doors and start the engines. You can contact the dealership where you purchased your vehicle if you are in a position to locate your keys. However, this is not always the case.

You may be able to submit a claim for a replacement key or fob, depending on the terms of your insurance policy. Assistance companies for roadside emergencies like AAA could also be able of assistance, but they will likely provide an entry level key and not the advanced technology.

Security Features

Losing your car keys can be a huge hassle however, it also presents an opportunity for someone else to steal your vehicle. While this is a risk that all drivers face it's important to understand the cost of replacing the 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 model of your vehicle, how advanced the key technology is, and the security features included in the keys. It's also important to decide whether you'd like to use an emergency roadside assistance service like AAA which could add to the overall cost of replacing a lost key.

It is cheaper to replace traditional keys for cars without a transponder. They can be duplicated at a hardware shop for less than $10. A newer smart lock must be programmed and paired to your vehicle by an auto locksmith. This could cost as much as $200 or more.

Key fobs are now offered in many cars that connect to the car's computer via radio frequency identification. These keys are harder to copy and are made to guard against theft. The cost to replace keys like these can be as high as $500 or more.

You can also add a tracker to your keychain in case you lose it. These tiny devices can be purchased at many hardware stores and can be can be used with an app that tracks the lost keys. They can add to the cost of replacing electronic keys, however they are a cost-effective and efficient option for the majority of people.

In the past having lost your car keys could have been a major inconvenience and put you out of money for a while. Today, however, most of us have more technology than our grandparents had in their day, and misplacing your keys is a big hassle but it doesn't need to cost you a fortune in order to get back behind the wheel.

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