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Cost of Replacement Car Keys It's a huge 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 quickest method of replacing your car key. You can also get your key copied by specialist dealers, but they typically increase the cost. Year and Make a Car The days are long gone when a lost car key wasn't important. The keys of today's automobiles, which are more sophisticated, are more expensive to buy. In fact when you lose your smart key or fob it could cost you up to $350. This is because modern cars make use of electronic keys and fobs to unlock doors and start engines. Keys and fobs are electronic devices that have circuitry, batteries and transponder chips all paired with your vehicle's specific model. This is a difficult process that requires specialized tools and training. There are a variety of ways to save money on car keys replacement. By comparing prices for keys and features before you buy you will be more informed about the price you can anticipate spending on new keys. One of the biggest factors that will affect the price of the replacement car keys is the year and make of the vehicle. A lot of newer cars have advanced transponder chips that require to be connected to the car by an auto locksmith or dealer which is a costly and time-consuming process. Older cars and keys with no transponder chips will be much more affordable to replace. In addition that you will often save money on new car keys by using a third-party provider or purchasing your new key on the internet. You might also think about purchasing an portable GPS device like Tile or AirTag that will help you locate your car keys if they are lost. These devices attach to your keys and are easy to use using the smartphone app. It's important to keep in mind that losing or misplacing keys to your car can be costly, and it's recommended to keep an extra key with you at all times. If you don't own an extra key, make contact with your dealer 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 can cover up to $400 in key replacement costs per year and are worth the security they offer. Technology Type While keys to cars and remote controls might appear to be basic metal objects, they're actually tiny electronic devices. As such they have more to them than meets the eye and this is why they're expensive to replace. The type of key you have will also influence the cost of replacement. Key fobs that are standard are cheap to duplicate, but they're not as robust as the modern models that include an additional layer of security. These keys have a special head that has a chip that communicates with the car's computer. A duplicate key won't work without the chip even in the event that it has the same grooves and ridges as the original. They are more expensive than traditional keys due to the fact that they require two steps to make the key: laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle. In some instances the locksmith might need to disassemble the transponder to set it up correctly. This is a hazardous task that should only be performed by a specialized locksmith. The process can be very long and costly if they have to replace any other part, including the housing that houses the chip. For the most recent model automobiles, you'll have to bring your vehicle to a dealership to have a new key programed to your vehicle. You'll need to present evidence of ownership, such as 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 your current one. Genesky claims that he is able to do the key cutting and programming for customers who have older European vehicles in his shop for $200-$250. However, he has to refuse customers with most recent models of cars since he doesn't have the expensive equipment needed to program their keys. This is the reason it's essential to locate a local locksmith or dealer that provides an array of services that can be adapted to any type of vehicle. This will ultimately 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 place you live will affect the price a locksmith or car dealer will charge for key replacement. Prices are higher in larger cities than in small towns or rural areas. This is due to the fact that the service provider must travel further to reach your location, which means more expensive costs. The timing and location of the loss can be a factor in the price. The cost of replacing a key will increase if you lose them on the weekend or during the night. There is a chance that you will be charged for the inconvenience of waiting longer for a service technician to show up. The type of key you have will also influence the cost. Some cars have only basic mechanical keys or standard keys while others have transponder chips, key fobs or smart keys. Keys which are more technologically advanced will cost more to replace. Certain of these high-tech keys need to be programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. It could take up to an hour or longer and is one of the reasons why a high-tech key will cost more than a standard one. People who own older cars with standard keys that don't include transponder chips, will usually pay less for a new key. Standard key cutting typically only requires a look at the cuts on the ignition of the vehicle or using a VIN number to identify the correct key for the vehicle. A lot of keys require that they are paired with the vehicle’s computer in order to unlock the doors and start the engines. If you've lost your keys and are unable to locate them, try calling the car dealership that you purchased the car but that's not always an option. You may be able to file a claim for a replacement fob or key, based on the terms of your insurance policy. Companies offering roadside assistance such as AAA might also be able of assistance, but they will likely only provide a basic key and not the advanced technology. Security Features Losing your car keys can be a major hassle however it can also be an opportunity for someone else to take your car. This is a danger that all drivers must face. It's crucial to budget for the cost of a new key. There are many factors that impact the price of replacement keys. These include the year and make of your vehicle, how sophisticated the key technology is and the security features included in the keys. You should also think about whether you'd prefer to use an emergency roadside assistance program, like AAA. This can increase the cost of replacing your lost key. It is much less expensive to replace the traditional metal keys to cars without transponders. automotive car key replacement can typically be duplicated at a hardware store for less than $10. A newer smart lock must be programmed and connected to your vehicle by an auto locksmith. It could cost you $200 or more. Key fobs are now available in many cars which communicate with the computer in the vehicle using radio frequency identification. These keys are difficult to copy and are designed to prevent theft. They can cost up to $500 or more. You can also opt to add a tracker to your keychain to assist you to locate it in the event that you lose it. These are typically small devices that are available at most hardware stores and they can be used in conjunction with an app to track the location of your lost key. While they can increase the total cost of replacing e keys, they can also be an affordable and efficient solution for the majority of people. In the past the past, losing a set of keys to your car was an enormous hassle and could have left you out of pocket for a period of time. Nowadays, however of us have more technology than our grandparents had in their day, and misplacing your keys is an enormous hassle, but it doesn't have to cost you a fortune to return to driving.