What Is It That Makes Cost Replacement Car Key So Famous?
Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key
It is crucial to understand the cost involved when you lose your car key. You can copy a standard key at any hardware store, while a smart key may require you to go to a locksmith or dealership.
There are ways to save money if your device is damaged but doesn't require reprogramming.
1. Type of Key
Car keys have a peculiar ability to disappear in strange places. They can be difficult to locate, whether they fall out of your pocket while shopping, get stuck between your couch cushions, or fall into the crack in the back of your car. In the past, this meant that you could just pop into your local hardware store or auto locksmith and purchase a new replacement.
Nowadays it can be quite costly when you're driving a car equipped with the latest technology, such as key fob technology and push-to-start. Key fobs and remote transmitters that work with these systems are small electronic devices, and they're packed with circuitry that could cause them to be expensive to replace in the event that you lose them.
You should therefore consider a key fob insurance plan that will cover up to 400 dollars per key that is stolen or lost. These plans typically cost a fraction of the total cost of replacement, and come with unlimited lost or stolen key replacements and additional benefits like towing insurance and roadside assistance, among other things.
The type of key that you have will also affect the cost. Some keys are more expensive to replace. For instance, simple keys made of metal with no fob are fairly inexpensive because they're mechanical, and can be easily replaced by an expert locksmith or mechanic. However, if the key has transponder chips, it will require special equipment to duplicate. These devices are typically accessible through dealerships or car manufacturers, and could be a major driver of the overall cost.
Laser cut keys can increase the cost of a replacement key for cars, since they are thicker. They are fashioned from metal that is molded into a specific shape and are then cut using lasers that are precise to ensure a precise fit.
2. Key Fob
Losing your car keys used to be a minor issue. You could buy a replacement key from a locksmith shop or a car dealership and it was relatively cheap to do so. As cars have become more technologically advanced as do their keys. This means that replacing a lost key could be more expensive.
Key fobs became popular in the 90s as an added feature that allowed car owners to lock and unlock their vehicles without a physical key. The small plastic fobs have a button that, when pressed sends a signal to the computer of the vehicle to lock or unlock it. Some of them have buttons that trigger the security system in the vehicle or unlock the trunk.
A traditional key without a fob is akin to those made prior to the 1990s, and can be cut by an auto locksmith for a fee. Some locksmiths will even replace a lost fob while you are waiting.
It can be more expensive to replace a fob that has a transponder or computer chip as opposed to an old-fashioned one. These can cost upwards of $200 to reprogram and pair with a new vehicle, and they are generally only available through the original dealer.
Many companies that deal with cars, such as auto repair shops and car dealerships may have a large number of spare fobs. Some are available to the general public, while others require specialized equipment or technical expertise to program. This is not something that the average person can do. This is why it's best to keep a spare car key in your pocket or purse, and add GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your policy to make it even more convenient should you ever require it.
3. Laser Cut Keys Keys
Unlike traditional mechanical keys, laser-cut keys have deeper ridges and grooves. This makes them more difficult for car thieves.
The key blades have slits on both sides that permit the key to be inserted into the ignition cylinder and door lock from either side. These are the most popular car keys available today. keys replacement for cars are more popular than traditional keys because they offer a higher level of security and convenience.
If you're considering cutting a key using lasers for your car, it's crucial to ensure that the company cutting them has the right equipment. You'll end up with an unusable key that doesn't work properly if you don't. It is also important to consider the quality of the knife because a knife that isn't of the highest quality could damage your key cutting machine or even cause it to break within the ignition cylinder.
To cut a key using lasers locksmiths require your vehicle identification number (VIN). Once they have your VIN, they can run the data through a computer to find the specifications of your vehicle. They then utilize an CNC machine to cut the key based on these specifications.
They are usually only available through dealers. They are cheaper than traditional key fobs, but they also have the added benefit of being hard to duplicate.
The cost of labor for a typical laser-cut all-in-one key can range from $150 to $250. This is because these kinds of keys must be programmed at the dealership. They remain among the most secure and convenient keys for cars that are available today.
4. Switchblade Keys
A lot of modern cars utilize key fobs to lock and unlock doors, and turn on the engine. These newer keys are not mechanical keys that can be duplicated by locksmiths or key cutters. Instead, they feature transponder chip technology integrated into. This chip must be paired by an auto locksmith or dealer with the vehicle. These fobs can be more expensive. They range from $50-$100 for the basic model up to $200 for models that have push-to-start functions.
Fobs that have what's known as a switchblade key, which folds into itself when not in use. typically, they cost more to replace. These keys come with shanks that retract into the fob, and then release when needed. They are much more secure than standard keys, which makes them a great choice for those who need an additional key for valet use. The cost of replacing these keys ranges between $100 and $300, depending on the vehicle and the type of key.
Unlike the old crank key that was complex, heavy and dangerous to use keys that are electronic are light and easy to handle. They are also much more difficult to steal because they are cylindrical, which can prevent the use of key duplicate devices that are used by criminals to create illicit copies of your car's key.
These wholly electronic car keys communicate electronically to open the doors and start the engine. Some keys are even able to do this without having to be removed from the driver's pocket. These keys are costly to replace and require a trip to the dealer, which could include a towing fee.
5. Transponder Keys
Transponder keys differ from mechanical keys due to the fact that they have the chip that sends a radio-frequency signal to vehicle when the key is put in the ignition. The signal is then analyzed by the vehicle's computer system to determine if it matches the serial number of the key. If it does, the car will let the key unlock the door and start the engine. This is done to avoid car thefts by making it harder to wire a car hot and also to start the engine.
In theory, this is effective, however, clever car thieves are always looking for ways to defeat this technology. The chips inside these keys are also not as durable as people think. They can get wiped out easily, which could cause the key to stop working at all.
The cost of replacing transponder keys could be costly. The key blank itself could cost as much as $50 and then there's the added expense of programming it. This requires a specific machine, which is only available at car dealerships.
This is why it is recommended to employ a locksmith who has the proper equipment to program transponder keys. It is also a good idea to have your vehicle's information ready, including the year model, make, and year of the vehicle. This will ensure that the right key blank is used and can save you money over time. Locksmiths can program a transponder keys typically for $150, however for cars with push-to-start capabilities with key fobs and remote transmitters, it could cost up to $180. These keys require a specialized service that can only be done by a licensed locksmith.