The Cost of Replacing Car Keys

It's not an issue to lose your car keys. They can be easily and cheaply replaced. The cost will depend on the type of key, technology, and the place you buy your replacement.

The majority of hardware stores will duplicate classic keys for less than $10. Automotive locksmiths can also duplicate keys if you can provide proof of ownership. More advanced and high-tech keys are more expensive to replace, however they can be replaced at the dealership if you need to.

Basic Key Fobs for Keys

The majority of cars made after the 1990s are equipped with key fobs that can lock and unlock doors by pressing buttons. The majority of them are standard and relatively inexpensive to replace. However the most advanced fobs can cost as much as $1,000 to install by a dealer.

Dealerships are often the only ones with the high-priced equipment needed to program a new key fob. This is especially true for European cars. Audi or BMW keyfobs, for example, have a color touchscreen that allows drivers to turn off or on the car's navigation system, or access additional information. Those features, combined with advanced security systems which can detect if a fob has been moved from its normal location making them more difficult to duplicate than more basic fobs produced by Nissan or Ford.

Some hardware stores and auto parts retailers sell replacement fobs for a lot less than the dealership. If you are unable to locate the type of fob you require for your vehicle, aftermarket options work for most models and can be programmed with a code supplied by the manufacturer in the owner's manual. Review your warranty, car insurance policy or roadside assistance coverage to determine whether it will cover the cost.

Transponder Keys

While standard keys and fobs are fairly affordable to replace, cost of a replacement car key of a standard key that has transponder chips will be substantially higher. Those chips, often referred to as mini-circuits, are what makes your car recognize the key and start.

This is because the chips, together with a unique code, disables the vehicle's immobilizer and replacement key for car cost allows the engine to operate. The majority of cars manufactured after 2001 utilize this technology. Hardware stores can create mechanical copies, but they're unable to duplicate the RF chip that was molded into the modern key. Therefore, you must visit the dealership to purchase a new key fob, and then pay for programming services that are even more expensive.

Many people turn to their local locksmith shop when they have lost their keys. They often do not realize that a reputable locksmith can make the identical key for less.

A professional locksmith can reprogram your transponder key. To do this, he must have the equipment that is used by dealerships, however, it can be found in all of the automotive stores. It can also be helpful to have a copy of the key that was lost or stolen as well as the owner's manual. Without these the process can take longer and the cost may be a bit more expensive than if you were to go to a dealer.

High-Tech Keys

Certain vehicles require key fobs with electronic signals which open doors and start engines. Replacing them is a lot more difficult than creating a transponder key, and could cost hundreds of dollars.

Keys like this are usually made by dealerships, however locksmiths can also make them. You'll need to bring the fob along and show proof of ownership, such as the registration or title of the car. Locksmiths typically charge 20 percent less than dealers.

The cost of purchasing a new key is largely determined by the fact that there is an existing key that can be copied. Certain keys older than this don't come with a chip and can be copied at a local hardware store for around $10. A VATS (Vehicle Anti Theft System) key that is more recent has a resistor inside it. It must be compatible with the car's computer. The key is available for copying for between $20 and $40.

There is an exception. The auto industry is the one that funds a trade group known as the National Automated Vehicles Task Force. The group maintains an electronic database of key codes and allows locksmiths and dealers to duplicate keys issued after 2000 for VW, Mercedes BMW and Porsche. The Center for replacement key for car cost Auto Safety is an organization for consumer advocacy led by Ralph Nader. They have asked the Federal Trade Commission for an investigation into automakers' practices of keeping secret key codes and charging high prices to replace them.

Key Replacement at the Dealership

It wasn't too long ago that losing the car keys replacement cost keys was not a big issue. If you lost your keys, you could get a Replacement Key For Car cost of a replacement car key [E-Yard-Sale-Stuff.Com] from the dealer without much hassle. Modern cars are more technologically advanced, therefore the process of replacing keys to your car can be more complicated and costly.

For basic transponder or bladed keys, visit your local locksmith. They can typically cut keys for less than $10. If you have the switchblade type key or a high-tech smart key, your best option is to call roadside assistance and have your vehicle towed up to the dealer. You'll need the documents of ownership with you, and you may require a few days until the dealership has the key in stock.

If you've lost a simple switchblade, a key with a blade or a sophisticated key, GEICO can help you get back on track with our 24 hours a day Roadside Assistance. Make sure to write down your vehicle identification number (VIN) which is usually on the dashboard of the driver's seat or is printed on your insurance card. The VIN is required to purchase and program the correct key for your vehicle. Keep a spare key in a safe place.