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Cost of Replacement Car Keys It's a huge hassle to lose your car keys. The cost of replacing them is also an expense of a major magnitude. Contacting an auto locksmith is the cheapest and most efficient method to replace your car key. You can also get your keys copied by professional dealers, but they often increase the cost. Year and Make of vehicle The days when losing a car key was not an problem are long gone. Keys for modern cars that are more sophisticated, are more expensive to purchase. In fact in the event that you lose your smart key or fob it could cost you up to $350. Modern vehicles use electronic fobs and keys to open doors and start the engine. The keys and fobs are miniature electronic devices that have circuitry, a battery and transponder chips all paired with the vehicle you have chosen. This is a difficult procedure that requires specific tools and training. There are ways to save on replacement keys for your vehicle. By comparing the prices of keys and features prior to purchasing, you can be more informed about the price you can expect to spend on new keys. view it now and the make of your car will have a major effect on the price of the new keys you purchase. Many modern cars come with transponder chips which need to be paired with an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a time-consuming and costly procedure. Older cars and keys without transponder chips will be more affordable to replace. You can save money by purchasing online or using a third party service to replace the keys to your car. Consider buying a portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you find your car keys in the event that they are lost. These devices are attached to your keys and are easy to use via the smartphone app. It's important to remember that misplacing or losing keys to your car can be costly, and it's advisable to keep a spare in your vehicle at all times. If you don't have an extra key, you should consider consulting your dealer to find out if they offer an opportunity to replace your keys for free as part of your warranty on your vehicle, roadside assistance extra add-ons or an extended bumper-to-bumper insurance. These programs may cover replacement car key costs that can be as high as $400 per year. They're well worth the peace of mind they offer. Technology Type While keys to cars and remote controls may appear to be ordinary metal pieces, they are actually tiny electronic devices. Therefore, they're more complicated than they appear. This makes them expensive to replace. The kind of key you're using will also impact the amount it will cost to get an alternative. Key fobs that are standard can be duplicated fairly cheaply however they aren't as durable as newer models that have an additional layer of security. They have a unique key head with a small chip that communicates with the car's computer system to ensure the authenticity of the key. Without the chip it is impossible for a duplicate key to function even in the event that the grooves and ridges are identical to the original. Keys with chips are more expensive than conventional ones due to the fact that they require two steps that include cutting with lasers and programming your key to your vehicle. In certain situations, a locksmith will need to take apart the transponder chip in order to program it correctly. This is a dangerous job that should only be done by a professional locksmith. If they have to replace other parts such as the housing that holds chips, the procedure is time-consuming and expensive. You'll need to take your car to a dealer in order to get the key programmed. This will require you to present proof of ownership such as your registration or title documents. You'll also have to wait until the dealer orders and match a new key to your current key. Genesky says he's able to cut keys and programming for customers who have older European vehicles in his shop for around $200-$250. However, he is forced to turn away clients with the most recent models of cars since he doesn't have the expensive equipment to program keys for them. This is why it's crucial to find a locksmith in your area or dealer that can provide an array of services and can work with any type of vehicle. This will save you money in the long run when it's time to replace or repair your keys to your car. Where You Live The location you live in can affect the price a locksmith or car dealer will charge for key replacement. The prices are higher in big cities than in small towns or rural areas. This is due to the fact that a service provider has to travel further to reach you, which translates to more expensive costs. The time and location of the loss may be a factor in the price. If you lose your keys during a holiday or at night, it will add to the total cost. You might also be charged extra to cover the inconvenience of having to wait longer for a technician to arrive. The type of key you're using will also influence the cost. Some cars only have basic mechanical or standard keys, while others have a transponder chip, key fob or smart key. The cost of replacing keys using more advanced technology will be higher. Some of these high-tech keys need to be programmed by a dealership or auto locksmith. This can take 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 will cost less to buy a new key. Key cutting is a standard procedure that typically requires a look at the cuts on the car's ignition or using a VIN number to identify the right key for the car. Many of these keys require that they be connected to the computer in the vehicle to open the doors and start the engines. If you've lost your keys and aren't able to find them, you can call the dealership you bought your car however that isn't always an option. You may be able make a claim for a replacement fob or key, based on the terms of your insurance policy. Assistance companies for roadside emergencies like AAA could also be able to help, but they will likely only offer an entry level key and not the latest technology. Security Features Losing your car keys could be a huge inconvenience however it can also be an opportunity for someone else to take your car. This is a risk that all drivers have to face. It's important to budget for the cost of a new key. The cost of replacing keys is influenced by a variety of factors. These include the year and make of your vehicle, the level of sophistication the technology used to make keys is, and the security features in the keys. It's also important to decide whether you'd like to use an emergency roadside assistance service like AAA which can make a difference in the total cost of replacing a lost key. It is much cheaper to replace traditional metal keys for cars without a transponder. They can be copied at a hardware store for less than $10. On the other hand, a smarter key must be connected with your vehicle and programmed by an auto locksmith or dealership. This can cost up to $200 or more. Key fobs are now available in many cars which communicate with the car's computer via radio frequency identification. These keys are much harder to duplicate, and they are designed to stop theft. The cost of replacing keys of this kind can be up to $500 or more. You can also opt to add a tracker to your keychain in order to help locate it should you lose it. These are typically small devices that can be bought at most hardware stores and they can be used in conjunction with an app to monitor the location of your lost keys. They can increase the cost of replacing electronic keys, but they are an affordable and effective option for most people. In the past having lost your car keys could be a major issue and cost you money for a time. Today, we have more technology than we did in the past, so losing your keys is a hassle. However, it doesn't have to be expensive to get back behind the wheel.