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Cost of Replacement Car Keys It's a major hassle to lose your car keys. The cost of replacing them is a major expense. Calling an auto locksmith is the cheapest and most efficient method to replace your car key. You can also get your key cloned at an authorized dealer, but they'll charge you more. Year & Make a Vehicle The days when losing a car key was not a major problem are long gone. Nowadays, cars are more advanced and, as a result, 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 unlock doors and start the engine. The keys and fobs are electronic devices with circuitry, batteries and transponder chip that are all linked to the vehicle you have chosen. This is a complex procedure that requires special tools and training to master. There are many ways to save money on car keys replacement. By comparing key prices and features prior to buying you will be more aware of the amount you can expect to spend on new keys. One of the most important factors that can influence the cost of your replacement car keys is the year and make of your car. Many modern cars come with transponder chips that must be connected with an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a lengthy and expensive process. It is 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. Consider purchasing an portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you find your car keys in case they get lost. These devices attach directly to your keys and can be used with a smartphone application. It's important to keep in mind that misplacing or losing your car keys can be costly, and it's recommended to keep an extra set of keys 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 vehicle warranty or as an additional roadside assistance feature. These programs can provide up to $400 in cost of replacement keys for your car each year and are worth it for the security they offer. Technology Type While remote fobs and car keys may look like simple pieces of metal, they're actually miniscule electronic devices. As such key replacement car have more to them than meets the eye — which makes them expensive to replace. The kind of key you're using also affects how much it will cost to purchase a replacement. Key fobs that are standard are inexpensive to duplicate, but they're not as durable as the newer models that have an additional layer of security. They have a unique head that has a chip that communicates to the car's computer. A duplicate key cannot function without the chip, even if it has the same ridges and grooves as the original. They are more expensive than conventional keys since they require two steps to make: laser cutting and programming the key to your vehicle. In certain situations the locksmith might need to disassemble the transponder to program it properly. This is a hazardous task that should be handled only by a professional locksmith. The process can be very time-consuming and expensive should they need to replace any other parts, including the housing that holds the chip. You'll have to take your vehicle to a dealer to get a key programmed. This will require you to show evidence of ownership, like your registration or title documents. You'll also have to wait for the dealer to make an order and connect a new key with your existing key. Genesky claims that he is able to do the key cutting and programming for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for around $200-$250. However, he has to deny customers who have the most recent models of cars since there isn't the costly equipment to program their keys. This is the reason it's essential to find a locksmith in your area or dealer that provides many services and can work with any type of vehicle. This will help you save money in the long-term when it's time to replace or repair your keys to your car. Where You Live The location of your house will affect the cost a locksmith or auto dealer charges to replace a key. If you reside in a major city, the prices are likely to be more expensive than if you resided in an isolated town or rural area. This is due to the fact that a service provider must travel further to reach you, which means greater cost. The date and time of the loss could be a factor in the price. The cost of a replacement key is higher if you lose them during a holiday, or at night. You might also be charged additional due to the inconvenience of having to wait longer for a technician to arrive. The type of key you have can also impact the cost. Some cars only have basic mechanical keys or standard keys, while others are equipped with transponder chips, a key fob, or smart key. Keys that are more advanced in technology will cost more to replace. Some of these high-tech keys require programming by an auto locksmith or dealership. This could take up to an hour or more and is one of the reasons why a high-tech lock will cost more than a basic one. Older cars without transponder chips or standard keys will cost less to buy a new one. Key cutting is a standard procedure that typically requires a glance at the cut marks on the ignition or the VIN number to determine which key is suitable for the car. Many of these keys require that they are paired with the car's computer in order to unlock the door and start the engine. If you've lost your keys and are unable locate them, you could try calling the car dealership where you bought your car but that's not always an option. Depending on your insurance policy It may be possible to file a claim with them to cover the cost of a replacement key or key fob. Roadside assistance companies such as AAA might also be able to assist however, they'll likely only offer an entry level key and not the most advanced technology. Security Features The loss of your car keys can be a major hassle however it can also be an opportunity for someone to take your car. This is a risk all drivers have to face. It is important to plan for the cost of replacing a car key. There are a variety of factors that affect the cost of replacement keys. The cost of replacement keys is influenced by a variety of factors, including the year and model of your car and the technology utilized in the key, and security features. It is also important to consider whether you'd prefer to utilize an emergency roadside assistance service like AAA. This could increase the cost of replacing the key you lost. Traditional keys made of metal that don't come with a transponder chip in them are a lot less expensive to replace. They can be duplicated at a hardware store for less than $10. On the other hand the latest smart key has to be linked with your vehicle and then programmed by an auto locksmith or dealership. It could cost as high as $200 or more. Key fobs are now available in many vehicles which communicate with the vehicle's computer using radio frequency identification. They are a lot more difficult to duplicate, and they are designed to stop theft. The cost to replace keys of this kind could be as high as $500 or more. You may also choose to have a tracker added to your keychain to help locate it in case you lose it. These are usually small devices that can be purchased from most hardware stores, and can be used with an app to monitor the whereabouts of your lost key. While they may add to the overall cost of replacing keys, they are an affordable and effective solution for the majority of people. In the past having lost your car keys could have been a major inconvenience and could have cost you money for a time. Today, however, most of us have more technology than our grandparents did in their time, and losing your keys can be a big hassle but it doesn't need to cost you a fortune in order to return to driving.