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Cost of Replacement Car Keys It's a huge hassle to lose your car keys. Even worse, the cost of replacing them can be a major expense. The easiest and cheapest way to replace your car keys is to call an auto locksmith. You can also get your keys copied by professional dealers, but they usually charge extra. Year & Make a Vehicle Long gone are the days when a simple lost car key wasn't important. Keys for modern automobiles which are more sophisticated, are expensive to purchase. In fact when you lose your smart key or fob, it could cost up to $350. Modern cars utilize electronic fobs and keys to unlock doors and start engines. Keys and fobs are electronic devices with circuitry, batteries and transponder chips all connected to your specific vehicle. This is a complex procedure that requires special tools and training. There are many ways to save money on replacement car keys. By comparing the prices of keys and features prior to buying you will be better informed about the price you can expect to pay for your 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 cars have transponder chips that need to be paired by an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a time-consuming and expensive procedure. It will be cheaper to replace older cars and keys that don't have transponder chips. You can save money by purchasing online or using a third party service to replace keys to your car. You might also think about purchasing a portable GPS device like Tile or AirTag which can assist you in finding your car keys should they get lost. These devices can be attached directly to your keys and can be easily used with a smartphone application. It's important to remember that losing or misplacing keys to your car could be costly, so it's recommended to keep an extra set of keys in your vehicle at all times. If you don't have an extra key, make contact with your dealer to find out whether they have a no-cost replacement program. This could be part of the warranty for your vehicle or as an additional roadside assistance option. These programs cover up to $400 in key replacement costs per year and are worth it for the assurance they offer. Technology Type Although car keys and remote controls may appear to be simple metal pieces, they're actually electronic devices in miniature form. As such they have more to them than meets the eye — which makes them costly to replace. The type of key you have also affects how much it will cost to get an alternative. Key fobs with standard locks are cheap to duplicate, but they're not as durable as the modern ones that come with an additional layer of security. These keys come with a specific head that has a chip that communicates to the car's computer. Without the chip, a duplicate key won't function even when the ridges and grooves are identical to the original. Keys with chips are more expensive than the traditional ones because they require two steps that include cutting with lasers and programming the key to your vehicle. In certain situations, the locksmith may need to remove the transponder from its socket to set it up correctly. This is a dangerous job that should be performed only by a locksmith with special training. The process can be lengthy and costly should they need to replace any other parts including the housing that holds the chip. For the most recent models of automobiles, you'll have to bring your car into a dealership to have a new key programed to your vehicle. This will require you to present proof of ownership, such as your registration or title documents. In addition, you'll have to wait a few days for the dealer to purchase the new key for your vehicle and pair it with your existing one. Genesky says he can usually do the key programming and cut for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for about $200-$250. However, he is forced to deny customers who have the most recent models of cars since he doesn't have the expensive equipment to program their keys. It is important to choose a local locksmith or dealership that is able to handle any kind of vehicle and provide various services. In the end, this will save you money over the long term when it comes to fixing and replacing keys that were stolen or lost from your vehicle. Where You Live The location of your house can impact the price a locksmith or auto dealer charges to replace the key. Prices are higher in large cities than in small towns or rural areas. This is because the service provider needs to travel further to get to you and this translates into higher costs. Another aspect that could affect the cost of car key replacement is the time and place you lose your keys. The cost of a replacement key will be higher if lose them during a holiday, or at night. There may be a charge for the inconvenience of waiting for a technician to arrive. The type of key you have can also impact the cost. Some cars come with only basic mechanical keys or standard keys whereas others have transponder chips, keys fobs or smart keys. The cost of replacing keys using modern technology will be higher. Certain of these keys need to be programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. This can take an hour or longer and is one of the main reasons why a high-tech lock will cost more than a standard one. People who own older cars with standard keys that do not have transponder chips will typically pay less for the purchase of a new key. Standard key cutting usually requires reading the cut marks on the ignition of the car or using the VIN number to determine the correct key for the vehicle. Many of these key types require that they be paired with the computer of the vehicle to unlock the door and start the engine. If you lost your keys and are unable to locate them, you could try calling the car dealership where you bought the car however that isn't always an option. You might be able to submit a claim for a replacement fob or key, depending on your insurance policy. Assistance companies for roadside emergencies like AAA could also be able of assistance but they'll provide a basic key and not the latest technology. Security Features It's a huge inconvenience to lose your car keys, but it also gives thieves the chance to take your vehicle. key replacements is a risk that all drivers have to face. It's crucial to budget for the cost of a new car key. The cost of replacement keys is determined by a variety of factors. These include the year and model of your vehicle, the level of sophistication the technology used to make keys is, and the security features in the keys. It is also important to consider whether you'd like to utilize an emergency roadside assistance service such as AAA. This can add to the cost of replacing your lost key. It is much less expensive to replace traditional car keys without a transponder. They can be duplicated in a hardware store for less than $10. A newer smart key must be programmed and connected to your vehicle by an auto locksmith. This can cost up to $200 or more. Key fobs are now offered in many vehicles which communicate with the computer in the vehicle using radio frequency identification. These keys are more difficult to duplicate, and they are designed to guard against theft. The cost of replacing these types of keys could be as high as $500 or more. You can also opt to have a tracker added to your keychain to assist you to locate it should you lose it. These are typically small devices that can be purchased at most hardware stores and they can be used in conjunction 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 the time of losing your car keys could have been a major inconvenience and cost you money for a time. Today, we have more technology than in the past, so losing your keys can be an issue. But it doesn't need to be expensive to get back behind the wheel.