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Cost of Replacement Car Keys It's a major trouble to lose your car keys. 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 get your keys copied by professional dealers, but they typically increase the cost. Year and Make of vehicle The days of having a lost car key was not an issue are long gone. The keys of today's automobiles that are more sophisticated, are more expensive to purchase. Losing your smart keys could cost you as much as $350. Modern cars use electronic fobs and keys that allow you to open doors and start the engine. Keys and fobs which are electronic devices of a tiny sizes, with circuitry and a battery are connected to the vehicle. This is a complicated process that requires special tools and training to master. There are many ways to save money on replacement keys for your vehicle. Comparing key prices and features can help you to get a better idea of how much you'll pay for new keys. The year and the make of your car will have a major effect on the cost of your new replacement keys. Many newer vehicles have high-tech transponder chips that need to be paired with the car by an auto locksmith or dealer which is a costly and time-consuming procedure. Older cars and keys without transponder chips will be more affordable to replace. Additionally that you will often save money on new car keys by using a third-party provider or buying your new key on the internet. Consider buying a portable GPS like Tile or AirTag to help you locate your car keys in case they are lost. These devices can be attached directly to your keys, and can be easily used by using a smartphone app. It's important to keep in mind that misplacing or losing your keys to your car can be costly, and it's best to have a spare on hand at all times. 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 warranty for your vehicle or as an additional roadside assistance option. These programs can cover up to $400 in replacement car key costs each year and are worth it for the peace of mind they provide. Technology Type While remote fobs and keys for cars might appear like basic pieces of metal, they're actually tiny electronic devices. In this way there's more to them than meets the eye and this is why they're expensive to replace. The type of key you're using can affect how much it will cost to get a replacement. Key fobs that are standard are cheap to duplicate, but they're not as robust as the newer models that have an additional layer of security. They have a unique head with a chip which communicates to the computer in the car. Without the chip the duplicate key will not work even if the ridges and grooves are the same as the original. These keys are more expensive than conventional ones due to the fact that they require two steps: cutting with lasers 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 hazardous task that should only be done by a professional locksmith. The process can be very lengthy and costly should they need to replace other parts, including the housing that holds the chip. For the most current model automobiles, you'll have to bring your car into the dealership to have a new key programmed to your vehicle. It will be necessary to provide proof of ownership like your registration or title papers. You'll also need to wait until the dealer orders and connect a new key with your existing key. Genesky says he can usually do the key programming and cut keys for customers with older European vehicles in his shop for around $200-$250. Genesky is forced to turn away customers who own the most recent models of cars since there isn't the expensive equipment needed to program their keys. It is important to choose an auto dealer or locksmith that is able to handle any kind of vehicle and offers various services. This will save you money in the long-term when it's time to replace or repair your keys to your car. Where You Live The place you live will affect the amount a locksmith or car dealer charges for key replacement. Prices are higher in larger cities than in smaller towns or rural areas. This is because the service provider must travel further to get to your location, which means higher prices. The time and location of the loss may also impact the cost. If you lose your keys during an evening or on a holiday this will increase the total cost. There is a chance that you will be charged additional to cover the inconvenience of waiting longer for a service technician to arrive. The type of key you have will also affect the price. Some cars only have basic mechanical keys or standard keys, while others have a transponder chip, key fob or smart keys. The cost of replacing keys using higher-tech keys will be more expensive. Certain of these high-tech keys require programming by an auto locksmith or dealer. This could take about an hour or more, and is one of the reasons why a high-tech lock will cost more than a standard one. For those with older vehicles with standard keys that do not contain transponder chips typically pay less for a new key. Standard key cutting usually requires a look at the cuts on the ignition of the car or using a VIN number to identify the correct key for the car. Most keys require that they are paired with the vehicle’s computer to open the doors and start the engines. If you lost your keys and aren't able to locate them, call the dealership that you purchased the car but that's not always an option. You may be able to submit a claim for a replacement fob or key, depending on your insurance policy. Roadside assistance companies such as AAA may also be able of assistance however, they'll likely provide an entry level key and not the advanced technology. Security Features Losing your car keys could be a huge hassle however, it also presents an opportunity for someone to steal your vehicle. This is a risk all drivers have to face. It is important to plan for the cost of a new car key. The cost of replacement keys is influenced by a variety of factors. These include the year and make of your vehicle, how sophisticated the key technology is, and the security features in the keys. It's also important to decide whether you'd like to use an emergency roadside assistance program like AAA which can add to the overall cost of replacing the lost key. It is much cheaper to replace traditional metal car keys without a transponder. They can be duplicated in a hardware store for less than $10. However the latest smart key has to be linked with your vehicle and programmed by an auto locksmith or dealer. This could cost as much as $200 or more. Key fobs are available in many vehicles that communicate with the computer in the vehicle using radio frequency identification. These keys are difficult to duplicate and are specifically designed to stop theft. The cost to replace keys of this kind could be up to $500 or more. You could also add an RFID tracker to your keychain in case you lose it. These tiny devices can be bought at many hardware stores and can be utilized with an app to track the lost keys. While they can 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 keys to your car was an enormous inconvenience and could have put you out of pocket for a period of time. Today, we are more technologically advanced than in the past, and so losing your keys is a major issue. But replacements car key doesn't have to be costly to get back on the road.