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Cost of Replacement Car Keys Losing your car keys is an enormous problem. The cost of replacing them is also an enormous expense. The easiest and cheapest way to replace your car keys is to contact an auto locksmith. You can also have your key cloned by specialist dealers, but they usually charge extra. Year & Make a Vehicle It's been a long time since when a lost car key wasn't an issue. Today's cars are more advanced and, as a result, their keys are more expensive to replace. The loss of your smart key could cost you up to $350. Modern cars utilize electronic fobs and keys to open doors and start the engine. The keys and fobs are miniature electronic devices equipped with circuitry, a battery and transponder chips that are all linked to your specific vehicle. This is a complex procedure that requires specialized tools and knowledge to master. There are many ways to save money on replacement keys for your vehicle. Comparing prices and features of keys will give you a a better idea of how much you'll have to pay for new keys. One of the main factors that influence the cost of your replacement car keys is the year and model of your car. Many newer cars have 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 that do not have transponder chips are much more affordable to replace. You can also save money by buying online or utilizing a third party service to replace the keys to your car. You may also want to consider purchasing a portable GPS device like Tile or AirTag which can aid you in finding your car keys should they are lost. These devices can be attached directly to your keys and can be used with a smartphone application. Be aware that the loss or misplacement of keys to your car could be costly. It is recommended to always have a spare. If you don't have an extra key, make contact with your dealer to see whether they offer a free replacement program. This could be part of the vehicle warranty or an additional roadside assistance add-on. These programs provide up to $400 in cost of replacement keys for your car each year and are well worth it for the peace of mind they provide. Technology Type While remote fobs and keys for cars might appear to be simple pieces of metal, they're actually miniature electronic devices. As such, there's a lot more to them than what's apparent and this is why they're expensive to replace. The kind of key you're using can affect how much it will cost you to purchase the replacement. Key fobs that are standard can be duplicated fairly cheaply, but are not as durable as modern models with an extra layer of security. They have a unique head with a chip that communicates with the car's computer. Without the chip, a duplicate key won't work, even when the ridges and grooves are identical to the original. They are more expensive than traditional keys because they require two steps: laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle. In some cases the locksmith may have to remove the transponder from its socket to program it properly. This is a dangerous job that should only be done by a professional locksmith. If they need to replace other parts, such as the housing that houses chips, the process can be time-consuming and costly. You'll have to take your vehicle to a dealer in order to get a key programmed. This requires you to show evidence of ownership, such as the title or registration papers. In addition, you'll have to wait a few days for the dealer to purchase a new key for your car and match it with the existing one. Genesky says he can usually complete key programming and cut for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for about $200-$250. However, he has to refuse customers with newer models because he doesn't have the expensive equipment to program keys for them. It is important to choose an auto dealer or locksmith that is able to handle any kind of vehicle and provide a variety of services. In the end, this will save you money in the long run when it comes to fixing and replacing keys that were stolen or lost from your vehicle. Where You Live The location of your home can impact the price the locksmith or auto dealer charges to replace a key. If you live in a city that is large the costs are likely to be higher than if you lived in an isolated town or rural region. This is due to the fact that a service provider will travel further to get to you, which means more expensive prices. Another aspect that could affect the cost of car key replacement is the time and location you lose your keys. If you lose your keys during a holiday or at night it can add to the total cost. There may be a charge for the inconvenience of waiting for a technician. The type of key you own can also impact the price. Some cars only have basic mechanical or standard keys, whereas others are equipped with transponder chips, a key fob, or smart keys. Those keys which are more technologically advanced will cost more to replace. Some of these high-tech keys require programming by an auto locksmith or dealership. This can take an hour or more and is a reason why the price will be more expensive than a basic key. Older vehicles without transponder chips or standard keys are less expensive to purchase an updated key. Standard key cutting typically only requires reading the cut marks on the ignition of the car or using the VIN number to identify the right key for the vehicle. A lot of keys require that they be connected to the computer in the vehicle for unlocking the doors and start the engines. If you've lost your keys and are unable locate them, contact the dealership that you purchased the car however that isn't always an option. You may be able to submit an insurance claim for a replacement fob or key, based on the terms of your insurance policy. Companies offering roadside assistance like AAA may be able to help with this as well but they'll probably only provide a simple key, not the more sophisticated technology. Security Features It's an enormous inconvenience to lose your car keys, but it also gives someone the opportunity to steal your vehicle. While this is a risk that all drivers face it's crucial to know the cost of replacing the car keys so that you can budget for it. There are a variety of factors that impact the price of replacement keys. These include the year and model of your vehicle, the level of sophistication the technology used to make keys is, and the security features that are included in the keys. You should also consider whether you would like to utilize an emergency roadside assistance service such as AAA. This can increase the cost of replacing the key you lost. It is much less expensive to replace traditional car keys without a transponder. They can be duplicated at a hardware shop 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. Key fobs are now offered in a variety of cars that communicate with the car's computer via radio frequency identification. They are more difficult to duplicate and are specifically designed to stop theft. They can cost as much as $500 or more. You may also choose to add a tracker to your keychain to assist you to locate it in case you lose it. These small devices are available at many hardware stores and can be can be used with an app that tracks the lost keys. While they can increase the cost of replacing keys, they can also be an affordable and efficient solution for most people. In car key fob replacement near me having lost your car keys could have been a major inconvenience and could have cost you money for a time. Nowadays, we have more technology than in the past, and so losing your keys can be a major issue. But it doesn't have to be costly to get back on the road.