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Cost of Replacement Car Keys It's a huge problem to lose your car keys. Even worse, the cost of replacing them could be a major expense. The simplest and most affordable method to replace your car keys is to contact an auto locksmith. You can also have your key copied by specialist dealers, but they often increase the cost. Year and Make of vehicle The days are long gone where a single lost car key wasn't an issue. auto key replacement are more sophisticated, and that means their keys are more expensive to replace. In fact when you lose your fob or smart key, it could cost up to $350. Modern cars use electronic keys and fobs to unlock doors and start engines. Keys and fobs, which are electronic devices of a miniature size with circuitry and batteries are connected to the vehicle. This is a difficult procedure that requires special tools and training. There are a variety of ways to save money on new car keys. Comparing prices and features of keys will give you a an idea of how much you'll spend on new keys. The year and make of your vehicle will have a significant impact on the price of your new replacement keys. A lot of newer vehicles have transponder chips which need to be paired by an auto locksmith or dealer. This is a time-consuming and expensive procedure. It's cheaper to replace older cars and keys that do not have transponder chips. You can also save money by buying online or using a third party service to replace your car keys. You should consider purchasing a portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you locate your car keys in the event they are lost. These devices are attached to your keys and are easy to use via an app for smartphones. It's important to remember that losing or misplacing your keys to your car can be costly, and it's recommended to keep a spare in your vehicle at all times. If you don't have a spare, it's worth checking with your dealership to see if they have a free key replacement program as part of the warranty for your vehicle, roadside assistance extra add-ons or a longer bumper-to-bumper coverage. These programs provide up to $400 worth of replacement car key costs each year and are well worth the assurance they offer. Technology Type While car keys and remote controls might appear to be basic metal objects, they're actually tiny electronic devices. Therefore, there's a lot more to them than meets the eye — which is why they're expensive to replace. The type of key you own will also affect the cost of a replacement. Key fobs that are standard can be duplicated fairly cheaply, but are not as durable as newer models that come with an extra layer of security. These keys come with a specific head with a chip that communicates to the computer in the car. Without the chip, a duplicate key won't work even when the ridges and grooves are the same as the original. Keys with chips are more expensive than traditional ones because they require two steps in cutting the laser and programming your key to your vehicle. In some instances, a locksmith will need to disassemble the transponder chip in order to program it correctly. This is a risky job that should only be done by a locksmith with specialized training. If they need to replace other parts, such as the housing that houses chips, the process could be lengthy and costly. You'll need to take your vehicle to a dealer in order to get a key programmed. This will require you to present proof of ownership, such as the title or registration papers. Also, you'll need to wait for the dealer to order and connect a new key with your current key. Genesky claims that he is able to do the key cutting and programming for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for $200-$250. He has to turn away customers with the latest models of cars as they don't have the expensive equipment needed to program their keys. It's important to choose a local dealership or locksmith that can handle any type of vehicle and provide various services. This will save you money on the long run when it's time to replace or repair your keys to your car. Where You Live When you live can impact the amount the locksmith or dealer will charge for key replacement. If you reside in a major city, the prices are likely to be higher than if you live in a small town or rural region. This is because the service provider needs to travel further to reach you, which results in higher prices. The timing and location of the loss could also affect the cost. The cost of a replacement key is higher if you lose them during holidays or at night. You could also be charged for the inconvenience of waiting 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, whereas others have a transponder chip, key fob or smart key. Those keys that are more technologically advanced will cost more to replace. Certain of these keys require programming by an auto locksmith or dealership. This can take an hour or longer and is one of the main reasons why a high-tech key may cost more than a basic one. Older cars without 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 ignition of the car or using the VIN number to identify the correct key for the car. A lot of keys require that they be connected to the car's computer for unlocking the doors and start the engines. If you have lost your keys and are unable locate them, you could call the dealership that you purchased your car from however that isn't always an option. You may be able submit an insurance claim to replace a key or fob, depending on your insurance policy. Companies offering roadside assistance such as AAA could also be able to assist, but they will likely provide an entry level key and not the latest technology. Security Features Losing your car keys could be a huge hassle, but it's also an opportunity for someone to take your car. This is a danger that all drivers are required to take. It's crucial to budget for the cost of replacing a car key. The cost of replacement keys is affected by several factors. The cost of replacement keys is determined by a variety of aspects, including the year and model of your vehicle as well as the technology used in the key, and the security features. It is also important to consider whether you would like to make use of an emergency roadside service, such as AAA. This could increase the cost of replacing your lost key. Traditional metal car keys which don't have a transponder chip in them are much cheaper to replace. These can usually be duplicated at a hardware store for less than $10. However the latest smart key needs to be paired with your vehicle and programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. This can cost as much as $200 or more. Key fobs are available in many cars which communicate with the vehicle's computer using radio frequency identification. These keys are difficult to duplicate and are made to guard against theft. These keys can cost as much as $500 or more. You can also attach a tracker to your keychain in the event that you misplace it. These small devices can be bought at most hardware stores and utilized with an app to track your key that you lost. While they may add to the cost of replacing keys, they can be an affordable and efficient solution for the majority of people. In the past when you lost your car keys was a big inconvenience and could have put you out of pocket for a period of time. Most of us today have more technology than in the past, and so losing your keys is an issue. But it doesn't need to be costly to get back behind the wheel.